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

MassachusettsUpdated Apr 1, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 0 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Feb 7, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

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

Severity 93

Classification

Strict

Severity

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

What this means for you

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

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceRequired

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$500

Processing time2-4 weeks

5 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Primary residence is strictly enforced - must live there 9 months of the year.
2Non-owner occupied units (investor units) are completely prohibited.
3Fines of $300 per day apply for every day of unauthorized operation.
4Condo board or landlord approval must be submitted as a formal affidavit.
5Total tax rate is high at 14.45% including the Convention Center fee.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility9 rules

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).

Requirements14 rules

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 process10 rules

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 & costs1 rule

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.).

Taxes3 rules

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 & restrictions4 rules

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 requirements1 rule

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.

Penalties4 rules

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.

Exemptions2 rules

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.

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Cambridge

0/5

steps completed

Step 1

Verify Eligibility

Ensure the property is your primary residence (9+ months/year) and check for any condo/HOA or lease prohibitions.

1-3 daysFree

Documents needed

Proof of primary residence

Official resource

Step 2

Gather Required Affidavits

Obtain signed affidavits from the property owner (if renting) or the condo association board.

1-2 weeksFree

Documents needed

Affidavit of Property Owner
Affidavit of Condo Association

Official resource

Step 3

Submit Online Registration

Apply through the Cambridge ISD online portal and pay the registration fee.

2 weeks$500

Documents needed

Statement of Responsibility
Insurance Certificate
Trash Plan

Official resource

Step 4

Schedule Safety Inspection

Once approved, coordinate with a housing inspector to verify smoke detectors, egresses, and other safety codes.

1-2 weeksFree

Documents needed

Inspection Checklist

Step 5

Post Required Information

Post the Certificate of Registration, emergency exits, and trash instructions clearly inside the unit.

1 dayFree

Frequently asked questions

4 answered

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched from public city/county codes 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.

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Cambridge

Strict

MassachusettsUpdated Apr 1, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 0 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Feb 7, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

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

Severity 93

Classification

Strict

Severity

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

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceRequired

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$500

Processing time2-4 weeks

5 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Primary residence is strictly enforced - must live there 9 months of the year.
2Non-owner occupied units (investor units) are completely prohibited.
3Fines of $300 per day apply for every day of unauthorized operation.
4Condo board or landlord approval must be submitted as a formal affidavit.
5Total tax rate is high at 14.45% including the Convention Center fee.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility9 rules

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).

Requirements14 rules

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 process10 rules

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 & costs1 rule

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.).

Taxes3 rules

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 & restrictions4 rules

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 requirements1 rule

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.

Penalties4 rules

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.

Exemptions2 rules

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.

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Cambridge

0/5

steps completed

Step 1

Verify Eligibility

Ensure the property is your primary residence (9+ months/year) and check for any condo/HOA or lease prohibitions.

1-3 daysFree

Documents needed

Proof of primary residence

Official resource

Step 2

Gather Required Affidavits

Obtain signed affidavits from the property owner (if renting) or the condo association board.

1-2 weeksFree

Documents needed

Affidavit of Property Owner
Affidavit of Condo Association

Official resource

Step 3

Submit Online Registration

Apply through the Cambridge ISD online portal and pay the registration fee.

2 weeks$500

Documents needed

Statement of Responsibility
Insurance Certificate
Trash Plan

Official resource

Step 4

Schedule Safety Inspection

Once approved, coordinate with a housing inspector to verify smoke detectors, egresses, and other safety codes.

1-2 weeksFree

Documents needed

Inspection Checklist

Step 5

Post Required Information

Post the Certificate of Registration, emergency exits, and trash instructions clearly inside the unit.

1 dayFree

Frequently asked questions

4 answered

Disclaimer

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

5 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Verify Eligibility

Gather Required Affidavits

Submit Online Registration

Schedule Safety Inspection

Post Required Information

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?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

5 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Verify Eligibility

Gather Required Affidavits

Submit Online Registration

Schedule Safety Inspection

Post Required Information

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?

Disclaimer