BOSTON INSPECTIONAL SERVICES
OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
OPENING GUIDE FOR
FOOD SERVICE
ESTABLISHMENTS
A Guide to Starting Your Business, and Getting Permits, Licenses &
Inspections
July 2021
Thanks for considering opening your food business in the City of Boston!
Opening a food establishment is hard work. Our team at the City of
Boston is here to help!
This guide gives an overview and describes the restaurant-specific permitting and inspection
process in the City of Boston. For questions, please contact Boston Inspectional Services (ISD)
Health Division, and the Economic Development Department, or call 311.
STEPS
STEP 1
GETTING READY - UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS AND MAKE A PLAN
● The Mayor’s Office of Economic Development offers one-stop resources for all
businesses in the City of Boston, including the Small Business Development Team
and Boston Main Streets, both of which offer resources to start, grow, and build
businesses in Boston.
● Start by connecting with your Neighborhood Business Manager (NBM)-- NBMs are
experts in small business and can guide you on how to open a restaurant in Boston.
Contact an expert to learn more about permitting and licensing, developing a
business plan, selecting a location, or other critical business-related matters.
● The Economic Development Center offers workshops to increase access and
opportunities, including workshop series tailored to food businesses.
STEP 2
CHOOSING A LOCATION - ZONING AND OCCUPANCY
● Check zoning online by searching for parcel designation on the Boston
Redevelopment Authority’s searchable map.
● Check whether Restaurant, Take-out, Drive-in, or Live Entertainment uses are
Allowed, Forbidden, or Conditional in the Zoning Code (by Neighborhood District in
Articles 38-73).
● Check the building’s existing legal use and occupancy online through the Building
Permit Search.
● To change the zoning or use, file a Long Form online and appeal to the Zoning Board
of Appeal if it is a conditional or forbidden use at that location.
● File a building permit application for any necessary construction. For major
construction or structural changes, file a Long Form online. For minor changes, file a
Short Form online. For more information on building permit types, visit here.
● Obtain a Certificate of Occupancy by submitting your Certificate of Occupancy
Application. If you have any questions please reach out to ISDcertificates@boston.gov
(see the ISD’s requirements for Certificate of Occupancy,).
● Once you have a lease in place, reach out to your Neighborhood Business Manager
to discuss help with signage or storefront improvements for your business!
STEP 3
DESIGNING THE SPACE – CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING APPROVAL
Get your plans reviewed; obtain Inspectional Services Department (ISD)Health Division
approval of restaurant design before construction or alteration. Apply for the health permit
at that time, pay for the permit provide 4 sets of site plans, equipment specifications from
manufacturer for new equipment being installed that meet the NSF/UL certifications, a
Food Establishment Review, menu with consumer advisories (if applicable).Request a Plan
Review appointment by emailing ISDH[email protected] or call 617-635-5326.
Learn about the Inspectional Services permitting process here.
Learn about the Food Service Health Permit application process here.
● The Boston Fire Prevention Division (BFD) also requires permits for construction
projects. Those applications and guidelines can be found here.
● Secure the appropriate building/plumbing/gas/electrical/mechanical permits
through ISD’s online application system. Only licensed contractors may apply. Obtain
all required inspections.
● Place of Assembly Permit (if occupancy is 50 persons or more) is issued by the BFD.
Please check the relevant Guidelines and Requirements.
● Certificate of Inspection: Submit 3 sets of plans stamped with capacity approvals
from ISD and BFD to ISD Counter 3A; await inspection. Download the checklist
and/or application.
STEP 4
APPROVALS – GATHER ALL NECESSARY LICENSES AND PERMITS
● Get a Common Victualler License from the Licensing Board.
● You need to get certified as a food manager by an independent company. Learn
more about getting certified as a food manager.
● Obtain an allergen awareness certificate. Learn more about it here
● Depending on your specific business, you may also need one or more of the
following approvals:
● Live Entertainment License or Non-Live Entertainment License.
● Pool Table License
● Sidewalk Café Permit
● Valet Parking Permit
● Liquor License: For details, see the Boston Licensing Board website.
● Apply for Site Cleanliness License. See details here.
● Apply for Dumpster Placement Permit: If larger than 3 cubic yards, file an
Annual Permit Application Form.
● Business Certificate from the City of Boston Clerk’s Office
● Kitchen Exhaust Hoods and Ducts require Building Division review and
Boston Fire Department Certification. See the BFD website for more
information on commercial hood and duct maintenance requirements.
Learn about the Licensing Board here.
Learn about Food Code at the state’s retail food website.
STEP 5
SERVING FOOD – FOOD SERVICE PERMIT AND INSPECTION
● In order to complete the process and prepare for the Health Inspection, Please
provide all the necessary remaining certificates, licenses and/or permits.
They are as follows:
● Certificate of Occupancy or a Certificate of Inspection
● Your completed food service permit application Need updated forms for links
● A copy of your Food Manager Certification and Allergen Awareness
Certification
● Your Common Victualler License
● Please note: If you didn’t pay your fees when you had your plans reviewed, you must
bring your payment when you visit the ISD office. You must also bring copies of
workman’s compensation insurance and your Federal Tax ID number or Social
Security number.
● If all of your paperwork is in order, ISD will set up a pre-operational inspection
request. The Health Division will help you set up your pre operational inspection
and confirm your appointment. At the time of inspection, the Health Inspector will
ensure that you are compliant with the code, and answer any questions you may
have.
Division of Health Inspections
1010 Massachusetts Ave.
Boston, MA 02118
Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. If you are paying with
cash or credit card, you need to make your payment by 330 p.m.
INSPECTION CHECKLIST
Completion of this checklist does not guarantee inspection approval. This information is
provided to help you prepare for the necessary inspection(s) in starting your restaurant. For
questions, please contact the Health Division at [email protected] , or call 311.
BUILDING INSPECTION – CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY (View Details)
□ Emergency lights installed and functional
□ Fire escapes in satisfactory condition
□ Fire extinguisher tag dates current
□ Commercial duct work cleaning on schedule
□ Stairs properly railed
□ Exits/directional signs visible and lit
□ Sprinklers functioning properly
□ Fire alarm system/smoke detectors
□ Exit Ways unobstructed
□ General conditions satisfactory
FIRE INSPECTION – PLACE OF ASSEMBLY PERMIT (View Details)
□ ISD Certificate of Inspection posted
□ Place of Assembly Permit posted
□ Flammability permits for all decorations, furnishings, and interior finishes
□ Egress plan on site, consistent with layout of furniture
□ Fire escapes clear and operable
□ Door self-closers operate correctly
□ Exit doors swing outward
□ Exits unobstructed, lead to public way
□ Good general housekeeping
□ Stairwells clear with proper signage
□ Alarm system inspections up to date
□ Sprinkler inspections up to date
HEALTH INSPECTION – FOOD SERVICE HEALTH PERMIT
Establishments must ensure compliance with the Food Codes and the 2013 Federal Food Code with
the 2015 supplement and have access to the regulations at the facility. (View Details)
Ready to operate? Please see the Inspection Guide here
□ Person in charge (PIC), knowledgeable, monitors food safety risks and takes
corrective actions. PIC available all operational hours
□ Employees trained in their duties and responsibilities
□ Employee illness policy to inform in a verifiable manner requirement to report
□ Separate hand wash sinks accessible and supplied for food preparation, dispensing
and warewash areas; in addition to the restrooms
□ Food contact surfaces properly designed, maintained, installed
□ Adequate NSF equipment for cooking, holding food hot & cold and to properly cool.
□ Non-food contact surfaces properly designed, maintained, installed
□ Proper storage of clean and soiled pots and pans
□ High-temp sanitizing dish machine or adequate 3 compartment sink with drainboards -
testing equipment
PLUMBING AND WASTE DISPOSAL
□ Properly plumbed potable (drinking) water and wastewater systems. No waste water
back up; proper backflow devices installed
□ Adequate number of refuse containers, clean, covered, adequate storage area.
□ Food preparation sink provided for washing fruits and vegetables
□ Mop sink provided
PHYSICAL FACILITIES
□ Clean and organized
□ Employee lockers to store clothing and personal care items
□ Sufficient storage for dry goods, servicewares, maintenance items, chemicals
□ Light fixtures above food products have protective shields properly installed
□ No evidence of rodents or insects
□ Outside storage area clean
□ Kitchen areas properly ventilated and hood inspection current
□ See the entire list of health code violations at the Mayor’s Food Court website.
CONTACTS
AGENCY
WEBSITE
PHONE
Economic Development
Small Business Unit
Equity & Inclusion
boston.gov/small-business
Get Your Business Certified as an M/WBE :
https://www.boston.gov/departments/econ
omic-development/equity-and-inclusion-of
fice/get-your-business-certified
617-635-0355
617-635-3720
ISD Building
https://www.boston.gov/departments/inspe
ctional-services/what-building-permit-do-i
-need
617-635-5300
ISD Health
https://www.boston.gov/departments/inspe
ctional-services/health-division
617-635-5326
Boston Licensing Board
https://www.boston.gov/licensing
617-635-4170
BFD Fire Prevention
Division
https://www.boston.gov/departments/fire-
prevention
617-343-3628
Entertainment Division
https://www.boston.gov/entertainment
617-635-4165
City Clerk (Business
Certificate)
https://www.boston.gov/cityclerk
617-635-4601
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