Health Division

The Health Division enforces food and sanitary laws for Inspectional Services. Learn about our team approach to protecting public health.

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The Health Division is responsible for ensuring businesses in Boston meet required state sanitary codes and applicable state laws and local ordinances. We inspect businesses that offer food to the public, including:

retail food stores
restaurants and caterers
daycares, hospitals, and nursing homes
food trucks and push carts
camps for children, and
swimming pools and baths.

How often our division does inspections is based on the type of establishment. We conduct compliance inspections to ensure violations are corrected. Inspectors also respond to all complaints of unsanitary conditions, illness, and health and safety concerns.

Still have questions? Contact:

Inspectional Services
617-635-5326
ISDHealth@boston.gov
1010 Massachusetts Avenue

4th Floor

Boston, MA 02118
Health Division contacts

We created a list of Health Division Inspectors and their contact information:

Health contacts
Marijuana advisory

The City of Boston's Licensing Board issued an advisory related to the consumption of marijuana at a licensed premise.

Hosting a Potluck Event in Boston

We have safety tips to follow when hosting a potluck event.

Hosting a Potluck Event

What to do if you have a complaint

If you have a complaint about a local food business, you can call us at 617-635-5326, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. You can also call or contact 311.

If you think you became ill after eating at a Boston establishment, you should first contact your doctor. Then, contact us to file a complaint and we’ll investigate the complaint. Illness complaints require contact information.

Food service regulations and codes

Mayor's Food Court

We add each food service business to our database when we inspect them. The Mayor's Food Court is our online database that keeps track of food service businesses in the City. You can see ratings based on violations and other data.

Learn More

Letter grading system

The City of Boston adopted an ordinance to create a restaurant and food truck letter grading system. The system protects consumers and provides them with information about recent health inspections.

We turn violations into a numerical point system. We then use this information to give letter grades that are placed on the wall outside of the establishment. Learn more about our grading system.

Food service permits

All businesses must apply for a permit before they can offer food to the public. Learn how to apply for a food permit.

Part of the permitting process is to get certified as a food manager. The required program teaches you how to handle food the right way. Learn more about the food manager program.

CHANGES TO THE FOOD CODE

In October of 2018, Massachusetts amended the regulations and made a few important changes to the food code. Check the state's retail food website for more details.

INSPECTION VIOLATIONS

If you receive a violation during an inspection, you will receive an order of correction on the inspection report. The inspector will review any questions about corrective actions. If you are unable to reach the inspector, call 617-635-5326 and ask for a supervisor.

Restaurant Guide

Multilingual Guides

Retail residential kitchens

We have information about permitting and the Retail Residential Kitchens Ordinance:

Kitchen permit information

Kitchen video guide

Live Fowl Permit Info

Contact: Inspectional Services

Applicants looking to keep live chickens on their property need to obtain a Use of Premises permit from Inspectional Services. Once all required documents are received and reviewed by the Building and Health Division, an inspection is conducted to ensure that all requirements are met as outlined in Article 89. Applicants are also required to have their request vetted by the Zoning Board of Appeals where it will be subjected to an approval process by the board. Direct abutters of your property will also have the opportunity to comment in support or opposition of your proposal.

Live Fowl Application

Tips for residents on Maintaining Live Fowl

Clean up feed spills immediately in your feed room or in the coop to deny rodents a food source.
Keep the grass mowed short around the edges of the coop and in your yard. This is an intimidating barrier for a rodent as they do not want to be spotted by a predator should they cross an open space.
Place a three-foot wide strip of gravel around the edge of your coop to create yet another barrier to the building.
Remove junk piles to deny shelter to rodents.
During weekly cleaning, look for new holes, nests and feces. Rodents breed quickly so be vigilant.
Consult with a pest control company regarding your best line of defense to protect your chicken coop and flock.
Be a good neighbor! Speaking with your neighbors first might help eliminate any fears they might have about living next to chickens.

Notice of Accommodations

Contact: Inspectional Services

English: Interpretation, translation, and disability accommodation services are available to you at no cost. If you need them, please contact us at isd@boston.gov, LCA@boston.gov, or 617-635-5300

Spanish - Español: Hay servicios de interpretación, traducción y adaptaciones para discapacidades a su disposición sin costo alguno. Si los necesita, por favor póngase en contacto con nosotros mandando un correo electrónico a isd@boston.gov, LCA@boston.gov o llamando a 617-635-5300

Haitian Creole -Kreyòl ayisyen: Sèvis entèpretasyon, tradiksyon, ak sèvis akomodasyon pou andikape disponib pou ou gratis. Si w bezwen sèvis sa yo, tanpri kontakte nou nan isd@boston.gov LCA@boston.gov oswa 617-635-5300

Traditional Chinese - 繁體中文: 我們可以為您提供免費的口譯, 筆譯, 和殘疾人士合理照顧服務。如有需要，請與我們連絡，發電子郵件至 isd@boston.gov LCA@boston.gov 或致電 617-635-5300

Vietnamese - Tiếng Việt: Các dịch vụ thông dịch, dịch thuật và hỗ trợ người khuyết tật được cung cấp miễn phí cho bạn. Nếu bạn cần họ, vui lòng liên lạc với chúng tôi theo địa chỉ isd@boston.gov, LCA@boston.gov hoặc 617-635-5300

Simplified Chinese - 简体中文: 我们可以为您提供免费的口译, 笔译, 和残疾人士合理照顾服务。如有需要，请与我们联系, 发电子邮件 isd@boston.gov, LCA@boston.gov 或致电 617-635-5300

Cabo Verdean Creole - kriolu: Nu ta oferese-bu sirvisus di interpretason, traduson y sirvisus di komodason pa gentis ku difisénsia di grasa. Si bu meste kes sirvisu la, kontata-nu pa email isd@boston.gov, LCA@boston.gov ó pa telefóni, pa númeru 617-635-5300

Arabic - العربية

خدمات الترجمة الشفوية والتحريرية والتسهيلات لذوي الإعاقة متوفرة لك دون تحملك أي تكلفة. إذا احتجت لهذه الخدمات، يرجى التواصل معنا على البريد الألكتروني isd@boston.gov ،(LCA@boston.gov)، أو على رقم الهاتف 6176355300.

Russian -Русский: Услуги устного и письменного перевода и по приспособлению инвалидов предоставляются бесплатно. Если Вам они нужны, просьба связаться с нами по адресу электронной почты isd@boston.gov LCA@boston.gov либо по телефону 617-635-0708

Portuguese - Português: Disponibilizamos serviços de tradução e interpretação e adaptações especiais para pessoas com deficiências gratuitamente. Para solicitar, envie e-mail para isd@boston.gov, LCA@boston.gov ou ligue para 617-635-0708

French - Français: Les services d'interprétation, de traduction et d'adaptation aux personnes handicapées sont à votre disposition gratuitement. Si vous en avez besoin, veuillez nous contacter à isd@boston.gov, LCA@boston.gov ou au 617-635-0708

Somali - Af Soomaali: Adeegyada tarjumaadda luuqadaha iyo hoyga naafada ayaa diyaar kuu ah adiga oo aan wax kharash ah ka bixin. Haddii aad u baahatid iyaga, fadlan nagala soo xiriir isd@boston.gov, LCA@boston.gov ama 617-635-0708

Still have questions? Contact:

Inspectional Services
617-635-5326
ISDHealth@boston.gov
1010 Massachusetts Avenue

4th Floor

Boston, MA 02118
Health Division contacts

We created a list of Health Division Inspectors and their contact information:

Health contacts
Marijuana advisory

The City of Boston's Licensing Board issued an advisory related to the consumption of marijuana at a licensed premise.