How long does a commercial building permit take in Cambridge?

In the 90 days to October 29, 2026, the median commercial or multifamily building permit in Cambridge was issued 25 days after the application was filed, across 118 permits with an application date. Half took between 14 days and 48 days. Simple trade permits are usually faster than new construction.

How do I look up building permits in Cambridge?

US Permit Search groups every commercial and multifamily permit at an address into one project page, with the contractor and declared value.

Building permit guide

How to get a building permit in Cambridge, Massachusetts

This guide links to the city’s official pages and adds what 118 recent commercial and multifamily permits show about timing, permit types and project values.

25
Median days to issueapplication → issue: 14–48
Middle halfdays: 118
Commercial permitslast 90 days: $222K
Median declared value

How long commercial permits take in Cambridge, by trade

Median days from application to issue and median declared value, commercial and multifamily permits issued July 31, 2026 – October 29, 2026.

Trade	Permits	Median days to issue	Median declared value
Building	118	25	$222K

Counts only permits whose record includes an application date (118 of 118). Times depend on the city’s review track: express and over-the-counter trade permits often issue within days, new construction takes longer.

Most common commercial permit types

Building: Alteration and Addition118

Commercial permits per month

October 202577
November 202565
December 202574
January 2026

How to get a building permit in Cambridge, Massachusetts

How long commercial permits take in Cambridge, by trade

Most common commercial permit types

Commercial permits per month

How to get a building permit in Cambridge, Massachusetts

How long commercial permits take in Cambridge, by trade

Most common commercial permit types

Commercial permits per month

Questions and answers