City of Cambridge Issues Mandatory Guidelines for Approved Construction Activity

The City of Cambridge has confirmed that its Temporary Emergency Construction Moratorium, which was originally instituted on March 18, 2020 on all construction activity for both public and private property will remain in place. Additionally, the City today released guidance to contractors that are approved to work during the moratorium. This new guidance is part of the City’s continuing efforts and commitments to safeguard the health of construction workers, all other workers associated with the construction industry and members of the public.

Under the newly issued Mandatory Guidelines for Construction, contractors are required to:

• develop a work plan identifying how they will safely complete the work,
• provide appropriate hand wash stations,
• conduct a daily wellness questionnaire for all of their employees,
• post clear signage highlighting the symptoms of COVID-19; reminding employees to stay at home if they are feeling sick; ensure proper handwashing techniques, and to practice social distancing; and
• implement no congregation policies (social distancing).

During the current moratorium, the City allows construction activity only with the explicit permission of the Commissioner of Inspectional Services (for building-related work) or the Commissioner of Public Works (for street-utility related work) provided that such activity is essential or in response to an emergency.

The moratorium does allow construction on one, two, and three family residential structures that were already permitted to continue.

Read the Mandatory Guidelines for Construction During COVID-19 Pandemic for Contractors Working During the Moratorium, Dated April 2, 2020 (PDF)

Read the Temporary Emergency Construction Moratorium, Dated March 18, 2020 (PDF)