Multi-Family Housing Ordinance Amendments

At a glance

Debate over amendments to the multifamily housing ordinance (setbacks, rear yards, lot-size thresholds), with heavy public comment from both sides. Related: Multi-Family Housing Dashboard.

2026-09-28 - 2026-09-28 - Regular City Council Meeting: Heavy public comment; the council ordered the Community Development Department to draft zoning language from the September 16 joint committee recommendations, 9-0. Staff to return with prior projections in six to eight weeks.
2026-09-14 - 2026-09-14 - City Council Regular Meeting: In public comment the Cambridge NAACP president raised concerns about demolitions and the decline of the city's Black population under multi-family zoning.
2026-09-16 - 2026-09-16 - Joint Housing and Neighborhood and Long Term Planning Committee Meeting: Joint committees recommended the amended policy order (setback, open space and tree changes; staff to model effects on inclusionary units); neighborhood committee 4-1, housing committee 5-0.
2026-07-21 - 2026-07-21 - Ordinance Committee: Related Residence One zoning petition (Residence One Zoning Petition on Height Setbacks and Parking) heard; committee voted 7-2 to send it to the Council with a negative recommendation.