The Assessing Department manages commercial/industrial and residential property values and maintains an extensive database of property information. Some of this information is available online in the Property Database.
In addition, the Assessing Department manages personal property (business) values and Motor Vehicle Excise Tax.
Change of Address: Please email: addresschangerequest@cambridgema.gov
Municipal Lien Certificates (MLC ): If you are requesting a municipal lien certificate please use the link below to access the online form.
The Assessing Department does not process any MLCs. Please contact the Finance Department directly or use this link so your certificate request is not unnecessarily delayed.
Municipal Lien Certificate Form
Useful Documents & Resources
Additional Information The Assessor is required by Massachusetts Law to list and value all real and personal property, which includes all changes of title and subdivisions. Valuation is subject to ad valorem (according to value) taxation on an assessment roll each year. Assessed values in Massachusetts are based on “full and fair cash value”, or 100% of the fair market value. To arrive at “full and fair cash value” the Assessor must know what “willing sellers” and “willing buyers” are doing in the marketplace. The Assessor must collect, record and analyze a great deal of information, including property and market characteristics, sales verification analysis, up-to-date construction costs and any changes in zoning, financing and economic conditions. The City of Cambridge Assessing Department uses the three nationally recognized appraisal approaches to value: cost, income and market. This data is then correlated into a final value. Prior to the issuing of tax bills, the City must submit the values to the State Department of Revenue for annual and triennial certifications.