Cambridge Code of Ordinances ch. 8.71 § 8.71.060
Partial invalidity
Operative Text
If any provision of this ordinance or application thereof is held to be invalid or in conflict with applicable laws, this invalidity or conflict shall not affect other provisions or applications of this ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provisions or applications, and to this end, the provisions and applications of this ordinance are severable.
Cambridge Code of Ordinances ch. 8.71 § 8.71.060 establishes a severability rule for the rent ordinance: if any single part of the ordinance is found legally invalid or in conflict with other applicable law, that finding does not automatically invalidate the rest of the ordinance. The remaining provisions continue to operate independently, as though the invalid portion had never been included. This is a structural rule about how the ordinance holds together as a whole, rather than a rule that directly governs landlord or tenant conduct.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under ch. 8.71 § 8.71.060, the Cambridge rent ordinance is designed so that a legal challenge to one of its provisions does not unravel the entire regulatory framework. Compliant operators generally continue to follow all other requirements of the ordinance even if a specific provision is being contested or has been struck down in litigation. Staying current on which provisions remain in effect—through official city communications or legal counsel—is a common practice for property managers operating under this ordinance.
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. 8.71 § 8.71.060 means that tenants retain protections under the ordinance's surviving provisions even if a court invalidates one particular part of it. If a landlord claims that a ruling against one section of the ordinance eliminates other tenant rights, that argument would generally be inconsistent with this severability clause. Tenants who have questions about which protections remain in force can consult the Cambridge Rent Control Board, a local tenant-rights organization, or an attorney familiar with Cambridge housing law.
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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