Cambridge Code of Ordinances ch. 8.60 § 8.60.050
Extensions of time for making repairs
Operative Text
A. An owner who has made a good-faith effort to remedy any violations cited in an order to make repairs and an administrative citation may apply to the Inspectional Services Department for an extension of the time set for making repairs by requesting a hearing under the hearing provisions of the State Sanitary Code. B. A good-faith effort shall be found to exist only if the owner provides evidence that the repairs cannot be completed within the required time. Such evidence shall be in the form of at least two written estimates from outside professionals, one of which the owner has accepted in writing, stating when the repairs will be made. C. In any case where an extension has been granted for the remedying of any violation, a new date shall be set by the Inspectional Services Department by which the owner shall remedy the violation and a reinspection shall take place in accordance with subsections C through F of Section 8.60.040 of this chapter. D. No extensions shall be granted in any case where an owner has received a fine for the same or similar violations in the same unit within the twelve-month period immediately preceding issuance of the current administrative citation, except where the owner has been granted an extension pursuant to this Section 8.60.050 for any such current administrative citation. E. In no event shall the time frame for repairs, including any extensions, be greater than ninety days from the date of issuance of the order to make repairs except where the owner has been granted an extension pursuant to this section.
Cambridge Code of Ordinances ch. 8.60 § 8.60.050 establishes a process by which property owners can seek additional time to complete repairs required by an order or administrative citation, provided they can demonstrate a genuine, documented effort to address the violations. To qualify, an owner must submit at least two written estimates from outside professionals, one of which must be accepted in writing, showing why the repairs cannot be finished within the original deadline. Extensions are not available when an owner has been fined for the same or similar violations in the same unit within the prior twelve months, and the total repair window—including any extensions—generally cannot exceed ninety days from the date the original repair order was issued.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Cambridge Code of Ordinances ch. 8.60 § 8.60.050, compliant operators who need more time to complete required repairs typically act promptly to gather at least two written estimates from qualified outside professionals and formally accept one of those estimates in writing before applying to the Inspectional Services Department for a hearing. Operators are generally mindful that a history of fines for the same or similar violations in the same unit within the preceding twelve months can disqualify them from receiving an extension. Once an extension is granted, the Inspectional Services Department sets a new compliance deadline and schedules a reinspection, so maintaining clear documentation of all repair-related communications and contractor agreements supports a smooth process.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Cambridge Code of Ordinances ch. 8.60 § 8.60.050 gives tenants a basis to monitor whether their landlord is legitimately entitled to extra repair time, since extensions require documented evidence—specifically two written estimates—and are barred when the owner has a recent fine history for the same or similar violations in the same unit. If a tenant believes an extension was improperly granted or that repairs remain incomplete past the allowable ninety-day window, they may consider contacting the Cambridge Inspectional Services Department to inquire about the status of the order and any scheduled reinspection. Tenant-rights organizations in Cambridge can help residents understand what records they are entitled to review and what options exist if violations persist beyond the deadlines set under this provision.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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