Fence height rules in Cambridge, Massachusetts
Yes. Cambridge has no citywide fence height limit: its Zoning Ordinance allows fences in front, side and rear yards and doesn't cap their height outside a few overlay districts. In the Parkway Overlay (e.g. near Fresh Pond) and the Alewife Quadrangle, fences near the street can't exceed 4 feet or be more than 30% opaque, and chain-link is banned. Separately, the state building code requires a building permit for fences over 7 feet.
| Fences in required yards | Allowed (not counted as a yard obstruction) [1] |
| Citywide max height | None stated in the Zoning Ordinance [1] |
| Parkway Overlay: fence within 25 ft of a public way | Max 4 ft from curb level, max 30% opaque [3] |
| Parkway Overlay: chain-link and wire | Prohibited [4] |
| Alewife Quadrangle Overlay: front fences | Max 4 ft, max 30% opaque; no chain-link or wire [5] |
| Floodplain Overlay District | Permit from the Floodplain Administrator needed for fences [6] |
Citywide rules
Cambridge's Zoning Ordinance treats a fence as a "structure" [2], but it lists fences among the features that may sit inside a required front, side or rear yard [1]. We found no citywide fence height table, front-yard height cap, corner-lot sight-line rule or finished-side rule in the zoning articles we reviewed (Articles 2, 4, 5, 20, 22 and 23). That means, outside the overlay districts below, the zoning text itself doesn't cap fence height.
Overlay districts with front-fence limits
- Parkway Overlay District (areas along arterial roads in parklike settings such as the Fresh Pond Reservation): no fence along a front or side lot line within 25 feet of a public right of way may be more than 4 feet high (measured from the street's curb level) or more than 30% opaque [3], and chain-link and wire fences are prohibited [4].
- Alewife Overlay District (Quadrangle): the same 4-foot / 30%-opaque limit applies within 25 feet of a required front yard, and chain-link and wire fences are prohibited [5].
Flood-prone areas
In the Floodplain Overlay District (FEMA special flood hazard areas), fences are listed among the development that needs a permit from the city's Floodplain Administrator [6].
Permits
The ISD FAQ says a building permit is needed to construct a structure [7]. The state building code exempts fences 7 feet or lower from a building permit, so a permit is generally needed only for a taller fence; ask ISD how it applies that to your fence. State law also treats a fence that unnecessarily exceeds 6 feet and is put up to annoy a neighbor as a "spite fence" (see the state rules section). Historic and neighborhood conservation districts may need Historical Commission approval for visible changes.
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Next steps
- Check the zoning map to see whether your lot is in the Parkway, Alewife or Floodplain Overlay District.
- Ask the Inspectional Services Department (617-349-6100) whether your fence needs a building permit, especially if it's over 7 feet.
- If you're in a historic or neighborhood conservation district, contact the Cambridge Historical Commission before building a street-facing fence.
- In a floodplain area, apply to the City Engineer (Floodplain Administrator) for the floodplain permit.
Common questions
- How tall can a fence be in Cambridge, MA?
- Cambridge has no citywide fence height limit in its Zoning Ordinance. In the Parkway Overlay (such as near Fresh Pond) and the Alewife Quadrangle, fences near the street can't exceed 4 feet or be more than 30% opaque.
- Do I need a fence permit in Cambridge, Massachusetts?
- Generally only for a tall fence. The state building code exempts fences 7 feet or lower from a building permit, so ask ISD how it applies that. In the Floodplain Overlay District, fences need a permit from the Floodplain Administrator.
- Are chain link fences allowed in Cambridge, MA?
- Not everywhere. Chain-link and wire fences are prohibited in the Parkway Overlay District and in front fences in the Alewife Quadrangle Overlay.
- Can I put a fence in my front yard in Cambridge, Massachusetts?
- Yes. The Zoning Ordinance lets fences sit in front, side and rear required yards. Overlay districts limit street-facing fences, and historic or conservation districts may need Historical Commission approval.
Massachusetts state rules on fences
Most fence rules in Massachusetts are local, set in your town's zoning bylaw and sometimes historic-district rules. A few state laws apply everywhere:
- Building permit: the State Building Code (780 CMR, 10th edition) does not require a building permit for fences 7 feet high or less. Taller fences need one. Zoning height limits and setbacks still apply, and many towns cap fences at 6 feet.
- Spite fences: under M.G.L. c. 49, §21, a fence that unnecessarily exceeds 6 feet and is maliciously put up or kept to annoy a neighbor is a private nuisance. The neighbor can sue for damages.
- Fence viewers: every town must appoint fence viewers each year (c. 49, §1). Where adjoining owners both enclose and use their land, they share the upkeep of the partition fence equally unless they agree otherwise. If one side won't repair their share, the other can complain to the fence viewers, who can order the repair (c. 49, §§3–4). By statute, a "legal and sufficient" fence is 4 feet high and in good repair (c. 49, §2).
- Pool fences must meet the state pool barrier rules (see Pools).
- Wetlands: fence work in a wetland or within 100 feet of one may need Conservation Commission review.
What the bylaw says
- Sec. 5.24.1(a), Zoning Ordinance Article 5.000 Development Standards (5.20 yards/open space; 5.24 yard obstructions incl. fences, sheds over 6 ft), p. 1
Every part of a required yard shall be open to the sky and unobstructed, except that the following features may be located within a required yard: (a) Awnings, arbors, fences, flagpoles, recreational, and laundry drying equipment and similar objects;
- Art. 2.000, Structure, Zoning Ordinance Article 2.000 Definitions (Accessory Apartment, Short-Term Rental, Structure, etc.), p. 1
A combination of materials assembled at a fixed location to give support or shelter, such as a building, bridge, trestle, tower, framework, retaining wall, tank, tunnel, tent, stadium, reviewing stand, platform, bin, fence, sign, flagpole or the like.
- Sec. 20.65(1) (Parkway Overlay District), Zoning Ordinance Article 20.000 Overlay Districts (20.60 Parkway Overlay fences; 20.70 Flood Plain Overlay; 20.1100 Alewife Overlay), p. 1
No fence along a front or side lot line and within twenty-five (25) feet of a public right of way shall be more than four (4) feet in height from the curb level of the street or more than thirty (30) percent opaque.
- Sec. 20.65(2) (Parkway Overlay District), Zoning Ordinance Article 20.000 Overlay Districts (20.60 Parkway Overlay fences; 20.70 Flood Plain Overlay; 20.1100 Alewife Overlay), p. 1
Chainlink and wire fences are prohibited.
- Sec. 20.1100, 5.5.6 Fences (Alewife Overlay District - Quadrangle), Zoning Ordinance Article 20.000 Overlay Districts (20.60 Parkway Overlay fences; 20.70 Flood Plain Overlay; 20.1100 Alewife Overlay), p. 1
No fence shall be permitted within twenty-five (25) feet of a required front yard that is more than four (4) feet in height from the curb level of the street or more than thirty (30) percent opaque. Chain-link and wire fences shall be prohibited.
- Sec. 20.74.1 (Floodplain Overlay District), Zoning Ordinance Article 20.000 Overlay Districts (20.60 Parkway Overlay fences; 20.70 Flood Plain Overlay; 20.1100 Alewife Overlay), p. 1
The City of Cambridge requires a permit from the Floodplain Administrator for all proposed development in the Floodplain Overlay District, including new construction or changes to existing buildings, placement of manufactured homes, placement of agricultural facilities, fences, sheds, storage facilities or drilling, mining, paving and any other development that might increase flooding or adversely impact flood risks to other properties.
- ISD FAQ: When is a building permit required?, ISD Building/Electrical/Plumbing Permit FAQ
Anyone seeking to construct, alter, or demolish a structure or install a sign must first obtain a building permit from a building inspector at the Inspectional Services Department.