Get Ready
Before you look at a space or hire a contractor, connect with the City's free business support resources and get your paperwork started. This section walks you through who you'll be working with and what to expect.
The total time it takes to get from business idea to open restaurant can range from a few months to a year or more. How long it takes depends on many factors:
- If your property is zoned for your intended use
- How much construction or renovation your space needs
- If your permit and license applications are filled out correctly and your include the right documentation and supplementary information
- If you pass your building, fire, and health inspections on the first try
Required Permits
The specific permits you need differ depending on what work you’re doing to your space, and whether you plan to seat guests or offer take-out only. But every food establishment in the City of Boston must have these three permits.
Your business may need other permits along with these.
- The Common Victualler License lets you operate a restaurant or food service establishment in Boston. “Victualler” is an old word for a food seller.
- The Food Establishment Permit is a mandatory health license for any establishment selling, serving, or storing food.
- The Site Cleanliness License ensures that your waste doesn’t create public health hazards, like litter, odors, or rodent infestations.
Understand the Process
| Phase | What to Do | Work With | Typical Wait |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Get Ready |
Connect with a neighborhood business manager | Office of Small Business | Neighborhood Business Managers usually respond within a few days. |
| Develop a business plan and menu | Business owner | ||
|
Choose a Location |
Check zoning | Boston Planning Department (BPD) | Zoning relief from the Zoning Board of Appeal (ZBA) is required in locations where restaurants are not allowed by zoning. The full ZBA process, including its community engagement components, typically takes between 3-6 months to complete. |
| Get architectural plans | Business owner | ||
|
Construction and Renovation |
Get plan review | Boston Inspectional Services Department (ISD) Health Division | Start with a plan review. It’s the first step toward getting your food service permit. |
| Get building permits | ISD Building Division Boston Fire Department (BFD) |
Varies depending on the scope of work. | |
| Get a Certificate of Occupancy |
ISD Building Division |
1-4 weeks or more for processing, inspections, and issuance, not including related permits and inspections. | |
| Get a Place of Assembly Permit | Boston Fire Department (BFD) Fire Prevention Division | A week or longer, depending on plan review; may take 3 months or more. | |
|
Prepare to Serve Food and Drink |
Apply for your Food Service Permit | ISD Health Division | Several months for plan review and inspections. |
| Get your Common Victualler License, Liquor License, and other licenses you need | Licensing Board |
2-6 weeks for Common Victualler processing, longer if you need a Board hearing. Typical wait time is longer and varies greatly for a liquor license. |
|
|
Entertainment and Guest Experience |
Get the licenses you need to provide your desired guest experience | Entertainment Licensing Licensing Board ISD Building Division BFD |
1-4 weeks or more |
|
Open |
Pass your health inspection and get your Food Service Permit |
ISD Health Division |
You can open to the public the same day you pass your health inspection |
Connect with a Neighborhood Business Manager
Timeline: Neighborhood Business Managers typically respond within a few days.
Connect with the City’s free business support resources. They can help you avoid costly mistakes.
The Mayor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion has staff, called Neighborhood Business Managers (NBMs), who work with small businesses. They can:
- Walk you through the zoning and permit process
- Help you develop a business plan
- Connect you to financial resources
- Answer questions about your specific neighborhood
Attend a Local Business Workshop
The Office of Small Business offers events, office hours, and workshops throughout the year, including topics relevant to food-based businesses.
The Technical Assistance Program works to support small business owners by pairing them with consultants and subject matter experts to start, strengthen, or grow a business.
Get a Business Certificate
Timeline: While you wait in person, or 2-3 days by mail.
You need a business certificate if your business operates under any name different from its legal name. The “legal name” is the official name you used when incorporating or, in the case of a sole proprietor, the owner’s legal name.
You file your business certificate in the city or town where your business is located. If your food business is in the City of Boston, you’ll file with the City.
Renew your certificate every four years. If you change your business name you need to get a new business certificate.
More Small Business Support
More Small Business SupportThe Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the U.S. federal government also offer resources to help you start a new business, including guidance on business structures, training, and counseling.
