city_hall

Official websites use .boston.gov

A .boston.gov website belongs to an official government organization in the City of Boston.

lock

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Last updated:

How Code Enforcement works in Boston

The Code Enforcement Police enforce state and City sanitary codes. The police patrol the City on foot, bike, and car.

  • Have questions? Contact 311:

  • 1 CITY HALL SQUARE, ROOM 714

    BOSTON, MA 02201

Common code enforcement issues

Unshoveled sidewalks

Once it stops snowing, residential and commercial property owners have three hours to remove ice, slush, and snow. As a property owner, you are responsible for any sidewalks next to your property. It’s illegal to shovel or plow snow into the street.

posting signs in Boston

You can’t post signs of any form in the City, including on city buildings, poles or traffic light posts, private property, or trees. If you have a building permit, you can post certain kinds of commercial signage. Check the City’s Zoning code for more info.

Getting rid of trash

You can get fined for not storing and disposing of your trash properly. Put your trash out on the curb by 6 a.m. on your trash day. You can also set it outside the night before after 5 p.m. Remember to separate trash from recycling on the curb. Barrels need to be made of metal or durable plastic, have a lid, and can’t be heavier than 50 pounds when full. Tie up any plastic bags inside. You need to use two-ply trash bags that can hold no more than 32 gallons. You can’t store trash in grocery bags, paper bags, cartons, or boxes.

Street vending

You need to get permits and licenses from the State Division of Professional Licensure, Public Works, and Inspectional Services. If you break any rules or regulations, the City or the state will confiscate your merchandise and fine you. Learn more about street vending.

Codes enforced by the police

List of codes

You can’t have more than 1 cubic yard of garbage scattered around your yard.

Mass General Law Ch.270, Section 16

Mass General Law Ch.270, Section 16a

Fine amount: $300

You can’t get rid of medical waste. A licensed medical waste removal company needs to dispose of it.

More information from the Bureau of Environmental Health

City Ordinance Article 23, Section 4

Commercial

A business can’t place trash curbside before 5 p.m. on the night before the street’s trash day.

City Ordinance Article 23, Section 5

Fine Amount: $25

Residential

You can’t place your trash curbside before 5 p.m. on the night before your trash day.

City Ordinance Article 23, Section 5

Fine Amount: $25

Commercial

Business owners need to sweep sidewalks and gutters, and remove any garbage and debris.

City Ordinance Article 23, Section 1

City Ordinance Article 23, Section 9

Fine Amount:  $200

Residential

If you are a property owner, you need to make sure all sidewalks next to your property are clear of garbage and debris.

City Ordinance Article 23, Section 1

City Ordinance Article 23, Section 9

Fine amount

$50 for residential (16 units or less)

$100 for residential (above 16 units)

You can’t get rid of your trash and garbage at an unauthorized location.

City Ordinance Article 23

Mass General Law Ch.270, Section 16

Mass General Law Ch.270, Section 16a

Fine Amount: $1000

We may also impound your car.

Commercial

You need to place trash outside of a business in barrels or two-ply bags.

City Ordinance Article 23, Section 1

City Ordinance Article 23, Section 9

Fine amount: $50

Residential

You need to store trash in a two-ply bag or in a trash barrel with a tight lid.

City Ordinance Article 23, Section 1

City Ordinance Article 23, Section 5

City Ordinance Article 23, Section 8

Fine amount: $25

Commercial

If a business has a dumpster, it also needs to have a Public Works permit.

City Ordinance Article 23, Section 2

Fine Amount: $10

$2 extra per dumpster

Residential

You need a permit to have a dumpster. A home with six or more units needs to have a Site Cleanliness Permit from Inspectional Services.

Site cleanliness application

City Ordinance Article 23, Section 2

Fine Amount: $50, but the fine can’t be more than $1000

You can’t occupy a City property without valid permits from Public Works and Inspectional Services.

Street occupancy permit information

Application for use and occupancy

City Ordinance Article 16, Section 122A

Commercial

Companies need to maintain their barrels and dumpsters and can’t overfill them.

City Ordinance Article 23, Section 1

City Ordinance Article 23, Section 8

Fine Amount: $50

Residential

You can’t overfill any barrels or dumpsters that you use. Property managers and owners need to make sure tenants have barrels.

City Ordinance Article 23, Section 1

City Ordinance Article 23, Section 8

Fine Amount: $50

You can’t attach any signs or posters on City buildings, poles, or structures.

City Ordinance Article 16, Section 23.1

If you own a residential building with six or more units, you need to give your tenants access to the recycling program.

City Ordinance Article 7, Section 13A

Fine Amount: Subsequent offenses can result in a $300 fine

We consider each day that you don't address a violation as a separate and distinct violation. Boston Code of Ordinances, 16-12.16 has more information about the City’s law on snow removal.

Failure to remove snow/ice from a sidewalk

Property

Fine

Commercial

$200

Residential with more than 16 units

$100

Residential with 16 or fewer units

$50

 
Removal of snow, ice from a private property to the street or sidewalk

Property

Fine for more than one cubic yard of snow

Fine for one cubic yard or less of snow

Commercial

$200

$150

Residential with more than 16 units

$150

$100

Residential with 16 or fewer units

$100

$50

We will give warnings to businesses and homes that have not applied for and received a Site Cleanliness License. You can get a license through Inspectional Services.

More Information About Site Cleanliness

City Ordinance Article 16, Section 12.9

You can’t transport garbage without first getting a permit from Public Works.

Contact Public Works

City Ordinance Article 23, Section 1

City Ordinance Article 23, Section 12

Fine Amount: $50

You can’t park in an illegal driveway, or in a front, rear, or side yard.

City Ordinance Article 16, Section 46

Fine Amount: $150 for a first offense

Subsequent offenses carry a $300 fine

  • Have questions? Contact 311:

  • 1 CITY HALL SQUARE, ROOM 714

    BOSTON, MA 02201
Back to top