Permit Details: Cambridge, MA
4,238 permits worth $185.0M issued in 2025.
Year-over-Year Permit Data (2021 – 2025)
Annual permit counts and construction values broken down by trade.
| Year | Total Permits | Total Value | Electrical | Plumbing | Building | Mechanical |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,400 | $210.0M | 1,500 | 1,050 | 1,330 | 520 |
| 2022 | 4,250 | $195.0M | 1,445 | 1,020 | 1,280 | 505 |
| 2023 | 3,980 | $168.0M | 1,350 | 955 | 1,195 | 480 |
| 2024 | 4,115 | $172.0M | 1,400 | 980 | 1,240 | 495 |
| 2025 | 4,238 | $185.0M | 1,440 | 1,018 | 1,272 | 508 |
Permit Volume Trend
Total annual permit counts for the past 5 years.
Average Permit Value Trend
The average project cost has shifted over the past 5 years.
Permit Type Deep Dive
Detailed breakdown of permit types with trends.
| Permit Type | % of Total | Avg Value | 5yr Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical | 33% | $3K | ↗ Steady growth |
| Building | 29% | $35K | → Stable |
| Plumbing | 24% | $6K | ↗ Slight increase |
| Mechanical/HVAC | 14% | $9K | ↗ Rising with heat pump adoption |
Seasonal Patterns
Building activity follows predictable seasonal cycles in New England.
Spring (Mar–May)
~35% of annual permits
Peak season for building permits as outdoor projects begin.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
~30% of annual permits
High volume for HVAC and roofing work.
Fall (Sep–Nov)
~25% of annual permits
Interior renovations and weatherization projects.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
~10% of annual permits
Low season—mostly emergency repairs and interior work.
Contractor Ranking
The top 5 most active contractors by permit count in 2025.
#1
JW Electric Corp Electrical
312 permits $3,800 avg
#2
Cambridge Heating & Cooling Mechanical/HVAC
195 permits $7,200 avg
#3
DG Construction Services Building
148 permits $35,000 avg
#4
Apex Plumbing & Heating Plumbing
132 permits $5,400 avg
#5
Somerville Plumbing & Gas Fitting Plumbing
87 permits $4,800 avg