Zoning · Cambridge · Open space
EP (By-law 26-007) zone, Cambridge: Environmental Protection
Part 12: s.12.1.1 (purpose), Table 12.2 (permitted uses), Table 12.3 (zone standards), p.94; s.4.22.3 (EP setback, p.61) of the City of Cambridge Zoning By-law 26-007.
Protected natural areas identified as Core Environmental Features in the Official Plan. Only conservation, public parks and agriculture are allowed, and agriculture only in existing buildings and structures; any building must stay 9.5 m from every lot line and be no taller than 11 m, and buildings in neighbouring zones must keep back 10 m (30 m in the countryside).
Is a property in the EP zone? Enter its address and the lookup returns the zone and these standards, including any site-specific exception.
Check an addressWhat the EP zone permits
- Agricultural use (only existing buildings and structures permitted)
- Conservation use
- Park, public
Standards
| Requirement | By-law |
|---|---|
| Minimum lot area (interior lot) | 0 m²Table 12.3 row 2 (p.94) states '0.0 m' (a unit slip for m²); i.e. no minimum lot area. |
| Minimum lot width (interior lot) | 0 m0.0 m (Table 12.3 row 1, p.94). |
| Minimum front yard | 9.5 m9.5 m (Table 12.3 row 3, p.94). |
| Minimum interior side yard | 9.5 m9.5 m (Table 12.3 row 5, p.94). |
| Minimum exterior side yard | 9.5 m9.5 m (Table 12.3 row 6, p.94). |
| Minimum rear yard | 9.5 m9.5 m (Table 12.3 row 4, p.94). |
| Maximum building height | 11 m11.0 m (Table 12.3 row 7, p.94). |
| Maximum lot coverage | See noteNot stated in Table 12.3 (p.94). |
Other provisions in this section
- Agricultural use is limited to existing buildings and structures (Table 12.2 row 1, p.94).
- Setback of other zones from EP, s.4.22.3 (p.61): no buildings or structures other than accessory buildings/structures and decks within 10 m of an EP Zone inside the Urban Area Boundary (OP Map 1A); within the Countryside Line (OP Schedule 1B) no buildings or structures within 30 m. Existing buildings in the setback are deemed to comply but cannot add floor area there. Within the Countryside Line, buildings also need 30 m from the top of bank of any watercourse (s.4.22.4, p.61).
- The 'other uses' of s.4.25.3 (community gardens, temporary farmers markets, accessory uses, essential emergency services, municipal parking) are expressly excluded from the EP Zone (p.65). Public uses under s.4.25.1(a) (all zones except A and RC) are not excluded, but a public use that has its own definition is permitted only where listed (s.4.25.1(b), p.64). s.4.25.1(a) also says trails, passive recreation and community gardens are permitted 'in all zones', which conflicts with s.4.25.3's exclusion of community gardens from EP; the text does not say which governs.
- Accessory buildings follow s.4.1 (pp.44-45): maximum height 4.5 m ('all other zones'), at least 0.6 m from interior side and rear lot lines, not in required front or exterior side yards, total accessory coverage at most 10%.
- No ARU, home occupation or dwelling is permitted (not listed in Table 12.2, s.1.2.6(a), p.11).
Source: Part 12: s.12.1.1 (purpose), Table 12.2 (permitted uses), Table 12.3 (zone standards), p.94; s.4.22.3 (EP setback, p.61), By-law 26-007 (City of Cambridge), checked 2026-10-13. General provisions elsewhere in the by-law (parking, driveways, accessory buildings) also apply, and a numbered exception on the parcel can change any value here. Treat this as a pre-check, not a sign-off.