Cambridge, Massachusetts Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Karolyn Hutson
Last updated August 23, 2023
Cambridge Short-Term Rental Regulations
Information is maintained by the community to provide helpful insights and links to local regulations, HostScouts does not provide legal or investment advice.
City Code of Ordinances
Short-term rentals are regulated in Cambridge. Short-term rental (STR) refers to the rental of any dwelling unit or bedroom as residential accommodation for less than 30 consecutive days. Short-term rentals are allowed within certain parameters, and you must follow the rules and regulations to legally rent out your residence on a short-term basis. See Section 4.60 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance.The operator must live in the STR unit as a primary residence and may rent out up to a maximum of three legal bedrooms, called operator-occupied short-term rental; AND/OR, the operator must live in a unit adjacent to the STR unit as a primary residence and own all the other units in a building which can only contain a maximum of four(4) residential dwelling units or less. An owner-adjacent short-term rental may only be rented as a whole unit, not as individual bedrooms.
Helpful Resources:
- Short-Term Rental Guide
- Short-Term Rental - Decision Tree
- Short-Term Rental - Options Flyer
- Short-Term Rental - Statement of Responsibility
Business License Requirements
Short-term rentals need to apply for a short-term rental application.Building and Housing Standards
Cambridge might have rules and regulations that specify minimum building, design, maintenance standards, habitability, health, and safety requirements. Some rules and regulations that apply to residential and non-residential properties may apply to your listing.Tourist and Local Taxes
New State law requires registration of short-term rentals and payment of State excise tax. Visit this link to learn more.Other Rules
It is also essential to understand and abide by other contracts or rules that bind you, such as leases, condo boards, co-op rules, HOA rules, or rules established by tenant organizations. Please read your lease agreement and check with your landlord if applicable. Visit the Cambridge website for more information.Is something not quite right? Registered users can suggest changes to this guide.
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Short Term City Rating4.5
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Competition
3.1 -
Real Estate Cost
3.3 -
STR Regulations
4.0 -
Seasonality
3.1 -
Rental Rates
8.8
Cambridge, Massachusetts Quick Stats
Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.
- Population
- 118,403
- STR License Required
- Yes
- Tourist Season
- County
- Middlesex
- Airports
- Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
- Worcester Regional Airport (ORH)
Want to learn more about Cambridge?
Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.
Check out our Cambridge rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Cambridge rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Cambridge.
The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.
Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.
What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Cambridge guests.
Interested in other Massachusetts cities?
Check out the Massachusetts short term rental regulations directory
What makes Cambridge a great place to invest?
- Harvard University & Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): Cambridge is home to two of the most prestigious universities in the world: Harvard and MIT. Visitors can explore the historic Harvard Yard, admire the stunning architecture, and even attend free public lectures. At MIT, marvel at the modern campus and its cutting-edge research facilities, including the MIT Museum, which showcases the university's innovations in science, technology, and art.
- Charles River and Esplanade: The picturesque Charles River separates Cambridge from Boston and offers a wealth of recreational opportunities. Take a leisurely stroll, bike, or jog along the scenic riverbanks, or embark on a guided kayak or canoe tour. Don't miss the Hatch Shell, an outdoor amphitheater famous for hosting the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular on the Fourth of July.
- Harvard Square: This bustling commercial center is teeming with shops, cafes, bookstores, and street performers. Explore the historic Brattle Street and visit the Brattle Theatre, an independent cinema showcasing classic, foreign, and art-house films. Don't forget to browse the shelves of the iconic Harvard Book Store and enjoy a cup of coffee at one of the many local cafes.
- Central Square Cultural District: A vibrant arts and culture hub, Central Square is home to a diverse array of music venues, theaters, and galleries. Catch a live performance at the historic Middle East Restaurant and Nightclub or the Sonia, explore contemporary art at the Cambridge Arts Council Gallery, or take in a show at the Central Square Theater, which hosts both professional and community productions.
Cambridge Nearby Cities
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3 miles away
- Rating: 4.6
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4 miles away
- Rating: 4.9
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in Cambridge?
The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in Cambridge has increased 1% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $721, which is higher than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$946,441
1% YoY
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Median per Square Foot
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$721
-1% YoY
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Average Monthly Rent
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$3,237
7% YoY
Local Short-Term Rental News for Cambridge
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Cambridge, Massachusetts
Common terms for Cambridge short term rental listings.
When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.
Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:
- Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
- Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
- Informative: The average listing in Cambridge has a description approximately 1,679 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.
After reviewing more than 4,851 listings in Cambridge, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Boston, Comfortable, Place, Downtown Boston, Walking, NumberSTR, Easy, City, Car, and Desk.
What are the most popular tourist activities in Cambridge?
Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Cambridge involve Museums, the City Centre, Outlet Shopping, Cycling, and Swimming. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.
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Museums
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City Centre
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Outlet Shopping
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Cycling
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Swimming
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Hiking
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Zoo
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Whale Watching
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Health Spa
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Marina
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Boating
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Casinos
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Cambridge, including Fenway Park, Harvard University, Boston University, TD Garden, and New England Aquarium. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.
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Well Known Attraction
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Fenway Park
Included on 50% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Harvard University
Included on 50% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Boston University
Included on 50% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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TD Garden
Included on 50% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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New England Aquarium
Included on 50% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Boston Common
Included on 50% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Copley Square
Included on 50% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Faneuil Hall Marketplace
Included on 50% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Boston Harbor
Included on 50% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Included on 50% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Boston Convention and Exhibition Center
Included on 50% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Massachusetts General Hospital
Included on 50% of listings
What’s the weather like in Cambridge, Massachusetts?
The weather is generally milder than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 59°, while the average low is about 44°. The rainfall is much heavier, averaging about 38 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall can be rather heavy, averaging less than 31 inches per year. The humidity levels in Cambridge are generally lower than the national average, and the city tends to be a bit cloudy for most of the year.
Winter
December through February
26° Low 39° High
Spring
March through May
42° Low 57° High
Summer
June through August
63° Low 79° High
Fall
September through November
47° Low 61° High
Cities Near Cambridge
Cambridge, Massachusetts, is located in Middlesex County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
