Cambridge Zoning Definition of “Green Open Space”

Cambridge’s zoning code defines a “Green Open Space” as one that “shall be open and unobstructed to the sky except that up to fifty (50) percent of the total required Green Area Open Space may be Shaded Area. Green Area Open Space shall be land at grade and shall consist of friable, permeable materials (including but not limited to loam, gravel, sand, crushed stone, and including naturally occurring soil, bedrock, and incidental pipes and other underground utilities) having a minimum depth of three (3) feet. Said land shall be capable of supporting the growth of trees, grass, ground cover, shrubs, and similar vegetation. Such area may not include any portion of the lot used for parking areas and access drives or other hard surface areas, except walks and terraces designed and intended for non-motor vehicle use.
Green Area Open Space shall consist entirely of living trees, grass, ground cover, bushes, shrubs, and/or similar vegetation, as well as water and other natural features of the site. However, in no case shall hard surfaced walks and terraces, or pervious ground covers like gravel, stone, and wood chips not being used as mulch beneath vegetation, exceed twenty-five (25) percent of the total required Green Area Open Space.”