What are the key requirements for Cambridge hosts?

Primary residence is strictly enforced - must live there 9 months of the year.

What should Cambridge hosts know about non-owner occupied units (investor units)?

Non-owner occupied units (investor units) are completely prohibited.

What should Cambridge hosts know about fines of $300 per day?

Fines of $300 per day apply for every day of unauthorized operation.

What are the key requirements for Cambridge hosts?

Condo board or landlord approval must be submitted as a formal affidavit.

What are the permit fees in Cambridge?

Total tax rate is high at 14.45% including the Convention Center fee.

Cambridge

Strict

STRs Allowed

MassachusettsLast updated: February 10, 2026

Baseline Verification

100%

Basic verification complete

Verified: Feb 7, 2026

Summary

Short-term rentals in Cambridge are permitted only for owner-occupied primary residences and require registration and inspection by the Inspectional Services Department.

Restriction Level

⛔

Strict

Score: 93 (lenient)

Why this classification:

•Primary residence required
•Owner-occupied required
•High permit fee: $500
•Limited to 1 property per owner
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•No night cap
•Tenants can host

In Plain English

To host a short-term rental in Cambridge, the property must be your primary residence where you live at least 9 months a year. You must register with the city, pay a $500 fee (which can be paid in $100 annual installments), and pass a safety inspection. Only individuals living in the home or owners of small buildings (4 units or fewer) who live on-site are eligible.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$500

Processing Time

2-4 weeks

5 Things Hosts Often Miss

Regulation Details

Eligibility(9)

•Cambridge limits hosts to a maximum of 1 STR properties per owner.
•Cambridge allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Condo, Townhouse, Multi-family (max 4 units for owner-adjacent rentals).
•Cambridge allows tenants to host STRs. Requirements: Must have written permission from the property owner and the condo association (if applicable).

Requirements(14)

•Cambridge: You must live at the property for at least 9 months per year to qualify as primary residence.
•Cambridge: A fire inspection may be required before you can operate. Schedule early as this can delay your start date.
•Cambridge: Tenants CAN host STRs but must get written landlord approval first. Keep documentation.

Application Process(10)

•Cambridge STR permit - Step 3: Submit Online Registration. Apply through the Cambridge ISD online portal and pay the registration fee. Required documents: Statement of Responsibility, Insurance Certificate, Trash Plan. Time: 2 weeks. Cost: 500.

Fees & Costs(1)

•Cambridge charges a registration fee of $500 (one_time). Extended/additional fee: $100 (The $500 fee is valid for 5 years and can be paid as a lump sum or in $100 annual installments.).

Taxes(3)

•Cambridge charges a Local Option Room Occupancy Excise of 0.06%. This applies to stays under 31 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Platforms like Airbnb remit the state, local, and convention center taxes directly to the MA Department of Revenue.
•Cambridge: Total tax rate is high at 14.45% including the Convention Center fee.

Limits & Restrictions(4)

•Cambridge occupancy calculation: Limited by building code; generally 2 persons per bedroom plus 2.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
•Cambridge: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.
•Cambridge limits stays to a maximum of 30 nights.
•Cambridge enforces quiet hours: 10pm-7am.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Cambridge requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Emergency exit diagram posted in each bedroom, Waste disposal instructions posted, Certificate of Registration must be posted in unit.

Penalties(4)

•Cambridge: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
•Cambridge: Operating an STR in a rent-controlled unit can result in permit denial and fines. Rent-stabilized or income-restricted units are strictly prohibited from being used as STRs.

Exemptions(2)

•Cambridge: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
•Cambridge exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Hotels, Motels, Lodging Houses, Licensed Bed and Breakfasts.

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Unlock: 5-Step Application Guide

Get step-by-step application guides and access to all 51+ markets.

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Other Massachusetts Markets

Boston

Massachusetts

Strict

Boston enforces some of the strictest short-term rental laws in the US, mandating that all units must be the host's primary residence. Investor-owned secondary units are strictly prohibited, and all hosts must register annually with the Inspectional Services Department.

Permit requiredNight limitsPrimary residence

0.1% total tax

Lenox

Massachusetts

Moderate

Short-term rentals are regulated in Lenox under a bylaw passed in 2022, requiring annual registration with the Board of Health and a $100 fee. All units must undergo a safety inspection and hosts must collect a 6% local room occupancy tax in addition to state taxes.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Edgartown

Massachusetts

Moderate

Edgartown does not currently have a local municipal STR permit system, as recent attempts to pass a licensing bylaw have failed. However, hosts must comply with the Massachusetts State Registry (MassTaxConnect) and pay a combined total tax rate of 14.45%.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Amherst

Massachusetts

Moderate

Amherst requires all short-term rentals to obtain a Residential Rental Permit, comply with strict occupancy limits, and prohibits STRs in accessory dwelling units (ADUs).

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Cambridge

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

5 Things Hosts Often Miss

Create a free account

Regulation Details

Eligibility(9)

Requirements(14)

Application Process(10)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(3)

Limits & Restrictions(4)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(4)

Exemptions(2)

Create a free account

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Content

Other Massachusetts Markets

Boston

Lenox

Edgartown

Amherst

Cambridge

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

5 Things Hosts Often Miss

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Cambridge?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Cambridge?

3Are there residency requirements for hosts in Cambridge?

4What are the penalties for non-compliance in Cambridge?

Related Content

Other Massachusetts Markets

Boston

Lenox

Edgartown

Amherst