Exclusionary zoning has ended in Cambridge after city councilors passed an ordinance that eliminates single-family zoning throughout the city.   

The Cambridge City Council voted 8-1 Monday night to eliminate single-family-only zoning throughout the city, paving the way for the development of multifamily housing in all neighborhoods in an effort to tackle the housing crisis, council members said. 

Cambridge is the first city in the state to eliminate single-family zoning.

The new zoning allows for multifamily housing citywide and for the construction of six- and four-story buildings. The original proposal called for six-story buildings throughout the city, but that was changed following pushback from residents.

The approved zoning change allows for four-story buildings without requiring a special permit. Six-story buildings with a 5,000-square-foot minimum lot size are also allowed, but only if 20% is set aside as affordable. 

“I can’t believe it — after years of advocacy, exclusionary zoning has ended in Cambridge,” City Councilor Burhan Azeem posted on X Monday night. “We just passed the single most comprehensive rezoning in the US — legalizing multifamily housing up to 6 stories citywide in a Paris style.” 

He added that Cambridge has about 118,000 residents, but had old rules so restrictive only 350 units were expected over 15 years in most neighborhoods, adding that with high rents, reform was needed. 

“Our old rules were restrictive in dozens of ways,” he said, adding that he’s hopeful Cambridge’s “bold move will inspire other cities to act.”

“Our national housing crisis demands serious solutions, and local governments and cities have real power,” he said.