Construction and Renovation
Learn which reviews, building permits, and fire department approvals you need before starting construction or renovation on your restaurant.
Construction, renovation, layout changes, or new equipment all require City approval and more permits. For any construction or renovation project in a food establishment, you will need:
- A plan review from Inspectional Services Department (ISD) Health
- Construction and fire permits from ISD Building
- Construction and fire permits from the Boston Fire Department (BFD)
- Trade permits for electrical work, plumbing, and other work from ISD Building
If you’re not doing any renovations or adding any new equipment, you don’t need a plan review. You can apply for your food permit and other related permits right away.
Work with Licensed Contractors
Don’t make costly mistakes. To find licensed contractors, use the City database of Certified Businesses, and support fellow small businesses.
Get Your Plan Review
Timeline: Allow at least 2–6 weeks. Incomplete submissions cause delays.
Before you build anything or change a kitchen, you must get your plans reviewed and approved by ISD Health. This helps you, because if your kitchen doesn’t meet code, you won’t pass your final inspection.
Schedule your appointment before you start construction.
Who Needs a Plan Review
You must get a plan review from ISD Health before you start construction if any of the following apply:
- You're building a new restaurant
- You're renovating or making layout changes to an existing space
- You're installing new equipment
If you're taking over an existing, unchanged restaurant, you don’t need a plan review.
Learn about the plan review process and requirements in our food service permit how-to guide.
Why You Need a Plan Review
You can’t get a food service permit without an approved plan review. Everyone needs a food service permit to serve food.
How to Get Your Plan Review
Request a plan review appointment with ISD Health before construction starts. This process needs to be completed in-person, by appointment only.
What Happens During a Plan Review
A supervisor in the Health Division will review your plans and menus to ensure that your restaurant complies with safety codes. Once your plans are approved, the supervisor will stamp them. In some cases, you may need to make minor changes and come back to our office.
You can start construction once your plans are approved and you have all the necessary construction and fire permits.
Timeline: Varies depending on project type.
If you’re making changes to the space you must get construction and building permits. Only licensed contractors can apply for building permits.
Long-form permits can take several months to over a year to be issued, depending on the work you’re doing. Short-form permits and other building permits may be issued in under a week. The exact permits you need will depend on the work you’re doing. The Inspectional Services Department (ISD) issues building permits.
If your business is on state property, ISD can’t issue your permits. Instead, work with the State Building Department.
Once you get ISD building permits, you also must get construction permits from the fire department.
For major alterations or renovations that change the structure or use of a building.
For minor changes, repairs, or replacements that do not change the structure of a building.
For any project that involves electrical installations, alterations, and repairs.
For projects that involves water lines or plumbing work such as sinks, bathroom fixtures, and non-structural pipe work.
To place a dumpster on a public street during construction, get this permit from Public Works.
Timeline: Varies depending on project type. Many permits can be issued within a week or two.
The Boston Fire Department (BFD) also requires some permits for construction and renovation projects. You may need one or more of these permits or certifications. Many permits are only available to licensed contractors.
Fire alarms and sprinkler systems require permits from both ISD and BFD. Access the Boston Fire Department’s technical manual to better understand permit requirements.
You can also discuss your plans with a BFD Fire Protection Engineer for expert guidance.
This permit verifies that fire alarms comply with strict fire codes and life-safety standards.
Ensures that your interior decor doesn't pose a fire hazard.
Outside inspectors certified by the City will come to inspect your cooking hoods and ventilation systems.
This ensures that your fire protection system is in compliance with safety codes before you open.
Get a Certificate of Occupancy
Timeline: 1-4 weeks or more for processing, inspections, and issuance, not including related permits and inspections.
A Certificate of Occupancy (CO) confirms your building is safe to use for your type of business. You must have this before you can open. Allow enough time for inspections and approvals in your project schedule.
How to Apply for a Certificate of Occupancy
Once you have your lease and CO, ask your Neighborhood Business Manager about City programs for signage and storefront improvements.
Certificate of Occupancy Process
- Complete any required construction.
- Pass all required inspections (building, fire, plumbing, possibly others depending on the work you’re doing).
- Our system will automatically start the Certificate of Occupancy process when you pass your building inspections.
- ISD review: Bring your finalized permits and required documents in person to ISD to review. Soon you’ll be able to complete this step electronically.
- BFD review: You’ll also need to email your permits and other required documents to BFD to review.
- Pay the required fees.
- Schedule a life safety inspection with BFD.
- Once the life safety inspection is done, we can finish our review and issue your CO.
- ISD can email your CO, or you can pick it up at the ISD office.
If your restaurant will seat 50 or more people, you must also get a Certificate of Inspection from ISD and a Place of Assembly Permit from the Boston Fire Department.
If you’re planning to serve alcohol in a space of any size you must also get a Certificate of Inspection from ISD.
Required Documents
- Building permit with final inspections signed by each inspector
- Stretch Energy Code Compliance Report
- Computer generated itemized Final Cost Breakdown
- Copies of all your associated permits issued by ISD (Electrical, Low Voltage, Fire Alarm, Plumbing, Gas, Sprinkler, Sheet Metal) finalized by the Building Inspector
Commercial kitchens also need:
- Hood cleaning contract
- One line diagram of duct system showing all clean outs
You may need other documents depending on the work you did in the space.
At the Inspection
The inspection is a final check to ensure your building is safe, legal, and ready for use. The inspector will check:
- 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
Get a Place of Assembly Permit
Timeline: A week or longer, depending on plan review; can take 3 months or more.
If your restaurant will seat 50 or more people, you must get a Place of Assembly Permit from the Boston Fire Department. Apply early. This permit requires its own inspection and requires other permits to pass this inspection.
- First, you’ll need a Certificate of Occupancy for the building
- Then, you’ll need a Certificate of Inspection for the restaurant
- After that, ISD can perform the health inspection that is part of the Food Service Permit
- Once you pass the health inspection, BDF can issue the Place of Assembly
Put Up a Sign
Once you have your lease and Certificate of Occupancy, ask your Neighborhood Business Manager about City programs for signage and storefront improvements.
The City has rules about storefronts and signage that vary by neighborhood. Adding or replacing signs requires an ISD permit and may require design review, especially in historic districts or Main Streets areas.
Next Steps
Once construction is underway, get your required food permits and any other permits you need to provide the ideal guest experience.
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