How Code Enforcement Works In Boston
The Code Enforcement Team enforces state and city sanitary codes. The team patrols the City on foot, bike, and car.
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Have questions? Contact 311:
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1 CITY HALL SQUARE, ROOM 714
BOSTON, MA 02201
Paying or appealing a ticket
Common Code Enforcement Issues
Common enforcement issuesYou can be fined for not properly containing or disposing trash on your property and for improper storage of trash on curbside collection day.
Proper Storage of Trash on Property:
- Trash must be contained in a metal or durable plastic barrel or dumpster
- The trash container must have a lid that seals the trash
- All trash must be stored in the container, no trash can be placed on the ground
Proper Storage of Trash on Curbside Collection Day:
- Trash must be put out on the curb by 5:00 p.m. the night before or by 6:00 a.m. the morning of your neighborhood trash day
- Do not mix trash into recycling bins, containers, or bags -- learn more on what accepted items can be recycled
- Do not use paper bags, shopping bags, cartons, or boxes to put your trash or recycling in
For more on commercial property requirements, see codes 23-9 and 23-10. For more on residential requirements, see code 23-5.
Once it stops snowing, residential and commercial property owners have three hours to remove snow. If it stops snowing overnight, you have three hours after sunrise to remove the snow. As a property owner, you are responsible for all sidewalks adjacent to your property. It’s illegal to shovel or plow snow into the street.
We do not enforce snow removal for parking lots, internal walkways, common areas, inside of parks, or private property. For more, see code 16-12.16.
You cannot 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 and code 16-23.1 for more information.
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.
No owner of a property that is abutting a public sidewalk should have any uncut or overgrowth of grass or weeds. For more, see code 16-12.19.
Codes enforced
List of codesYou 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
$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.
You can’t throw trash on a City street.
Mass General Law Ch.270, Section 16
City Ordinance Article 16, Section 12.8
City Ordinance Article 16, Section 12.9
Fine Amount: $25
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
You can’t plow snow onto a City sidewalk.
City Ordinance Article 23, Section 16
City Ordinance Article 23, Section 16-12
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 |
|---|---|
| Property |
Commercial |
| Fine |
$200 |
| Property |
Residential with more than 16 units |
| Fine |
$100 |
| Property |
Residential with 16 or fewer units |
| Fine |
$50 |
|
Property |
Fine for more than one cubic yard of snow |
Fine for one cubic yard or less of snow |
|---|---|---|
| Property |
Commercial | |
| Fine for more than one cubic yard of snow |
$200 | |
| Fine for one cubic yard or less of snow |
$150 | |
| Property |
Residential with more than 16 units | |
| Fine for more than one cubic yard of snow |
$150 | |
| Fine for one cubic yard or less of snow |
$100 | |
| Property |
Residential with 16 or fewer units | |
| Fine for more than one cubic yard of snow |
$100 | |
| Fine for one cubic yard or less of snow |
$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
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Have questions? Contact 311:
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1 CITY HALL SQUARE, ROOM 714
BOSTON, MA 02201
