Food Service Permit
Before you can serve food to the public, you need to apply for a Food Service Permit and pass a health inspection. We inspect food service businesses at least once a year, but usually twice each year. We add businesses to our online database as we do inspections.
Depending on your situation, you may also need a Plan Review before we can issue your permit.
The Food Service Permit is issued by the Inspectional Services Department.
Who Can Apply
Apply for this permit if you plan to serve or sell food to the public from a fixed location in Boston. This includes:
- Sit-down restaurants
- Retail food stores
- Bakeries
- Caterers
You don’t need a lawyer or a consultant to apply.
Food trucks and other mobile food vendors follow a different process for their health and fire safety permits.
If you’re selling food made in a home kitchen (also known as “cottage foods”), you need the Retail Residential Kitchen License instead.
Before You Apply
Contact ISD Health for guidance on the requirements your business needs to meet to get your permit.
Check if You Need a Plan Review
Some businesses need a Plan Review as part of the Food Service permitting process. A Plan Review ensures your kitchen layout and equipment meet health safety codes before you build or open. You’ll need a Plan Review if you are:
- Building a new restaurant.
- Doing construction or renovation.
- Changing the layout of an existing restaurant.
- Adding new equipment or menu items. Menu items that require new machinery, equipment, or specialized processes may need a formal plan review. For example, you will need a formal plan review if you plan to serve frozen dairy products, keep pizzas held at room temperature, add vinegar to sushi rice, sprout seeds, or have live shellfish tanks. These are just a few examples. Review the Massachusetts food code for a complete list.
Reach out to ISD Health if you’re not sure if you need a plan review.
If your restaurant is under construction, you can still start the permit process. You don’t have to wait until construction is finished to apply.
Apply for a Common Victualler License
If you sell food at a fixed location with seating (like a restaurant or café), Boston law also requires a Common Victualler License. A Common Victualler License (CV) is required before we can issue your Food Service Permit. You can submit a Common Victualler License application while your Food Service Permit application is processing. Common Victualler approval takes 2 to 6 weeks (longer if a public hearing is required).
Zoning
Zoning rules say what kinds of businesses can operate at a given address. Not every location in the City of Boston allows a food service business. Zoning issues can add time to the permitting process. Check the zoning of your location using the City of Boston zoning viewer tool.
Required Documents
To apply for your Food Service Permit, you’ll need:
- A completed permit application (including the "Worker’s Compensation Insurance Affidavit")
- Federal Tax ID (your EIN number)
- Food Protection Manager Certificate (CFPM). A certification run by private companies, good for 5 years.
- Allergen Certificate. A certification run by private companies, good for 5 years.
For the Plan Review appointment, you’ll need:
- Completed Plan Review Worksheet
- Two copies of your floor plans, drawn to scale.
- Your equipment specifications. NSF or UL approved, or equivalent.
- A copy of your menu
- Payment for fees
Before you can schedule your opening inspection, you’ll also need:
- A filed Food Service Permit application, including all required documents
- Certificate of Occupancy (CO)
- Certificate of Inspection (CI), for restaurants serving alcohol or with more than 50 seats
- Common Victualler License (CV) (if applicable)
- A Change of Ownership letter, if you’re taking over an existing food business
- Proof that your fees are paid
Fees
Annual permit fees are based on your business model and venue size. Other fees may apply depending on your Plan Review. We’ll confirm these at your appointment.
How to Pay
- Online. We’ll send a one-time payment link to your email address. You can pay by credit or debit card.
- In person. Pay by credit card, debit card, check, money order, or cash in person at ISD Health. Cash and credit card payments in person are due by 3:30 p.m.
- By mail. Mail your check or money order to us.
- First year: $200 minimum.
Starting your second year, your fee is based on your gross annual sales from the previous year:
- Less than $200,000: $200
- $200,000 to $400,000: $300
- $400,000 to $600,000: $400
- $600,000 to $800,000: $500
- $800,000 to $1,000,000: $600
- $1,000,000 to $2,000,000: $700
- $2,000,000 to $3,000,000: $900
- Over $3,000,000: $1,200
- Up to 100 seats: $200 minimum.
- Over 100 seats: $200 minimum, plus $1 for each seat over 100, as reported on your permit application.
- Under 2,500 square feet: $100 minimum.
- 2,500 square feet or more: $100 minimum, plus $50 for each additional 1,000 square feet.
- Bakery: $100
- Caterer: $325
- Manufacturing Frozen Desserts: $100
How to Apply
You can apply for your Food Service Permit in person or by email. Plan Reviews must be scheduled in person.
ISD Health can help you with all steps in the application process. Contact us at 617-635-5326 or ISDHealth@boston.gov for guidance on your specific situation.
Before you gather documents, confirm two things:
- Do you need a Common Victualler License?
- Do you need a Plan Review?
Both are covered in Before You Apply. Your answers determine which steps you'll follow next.
All applicants
See Required Documents for the full list.
If you need a Plan Review, gather your Plan Review materials. These are separate from your permit application documents.
Plan Review applicants only
Call 617-635-5326 or email ISDHealth@boston.gov to schedule your Plan Review. The Plan Review appointment is in-person only.
Bring your Plan Review documents, printed and completed, and payment for any fees. Staff review your plans at this appointment and stamp them if approved. You may need a follow-up visit if you need to make changes.
You can start the main Food Service Permit application process during your plan review appointment.
If you need a Common Victualler License, you should also start that application process during your plan review.
All applicants
You can apply in person or by email.
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By email: Send your completed application and documents to ISDHealth@boston.gov.
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In person: Bring your completed application, documents, and payment to ISD.
1010 Massachusetts Avenue
4th Floor
Boston, MA 02118
If you’re paying by cash or credit card, you’ll have to pay by 3:30 p.m.
Plan Review applicants only
Bring your stamped health plans to the Inspectional Services Department Building Division (ISD). Staff will review your project scope and confirm if you need separate building, electrical, plumbing, or fire safety permits before construction can begin.
Securing trade permits is a separate, multi-week process. If your project requires construction or equipment installation, review our Guide to Navigating the Permitting Process to plan your schedule.
Whether or not you needed a Plan Review, the next step is the same: Once your documents are in and your plans are stamped, call 617-635-5326 to schedule your health inspection appointment. Call a few days before your desired date. We can usually schedule the appointment the next day or same week.
Plan to be ready to serve your first customer the minute the inspector finishes the inspection and walks out the door.
After You Apply
If you’re not making changes to your restaurant (for example, a change of ownership with no renovation) we typically process your application within 1 to 2 business days.
If you’re building out a new space or renovating, your timeline depends on how quickly you can get your other approvals. Before we can schedule your inspection, you’ll need your Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Inspection, your Common Victualler License, and any required Building Department sign-offs. Once you’ve submitted proof of all of these, we’ll typically complete our inspection within 1 business day.
Inspection
Your opening health inspection is a final walk-through to confirm that your equipment, food storage, and sanitation facilities meet Massachusetts Food Safety Regulations. The health inspector will tell you if you need to fix anything and pass your inspection if you’re approved.
To pass your inspection on the first try and open on schedule, only book your inspection after all construction is finished and your kitchen is 100% operational. Health inspectors cannot approve spaces that are still under construction or missing active equipment. Think of your opening health inspection as a full dress rehearsal. You should be ready to open.
At your inspection, make sure you are prepared for the following:
- Person in charge (PIC), knowledgeable, monitors food safety risks and takes corrective actions
- PIC available all operational hours
- Employees trained in their duties and responsibilities
- Employee illness policy to inform in a verifiable manner requirement to report
- Separate hand wash sinks accessible and supplied for food preparation, dispensing and warewash areas, in addition to the restrooms
- Food contact surfaces properly designed, maintained, installed
- Adequate equipment for cooking, holding food hot and cold, and to properly cool
- Non-food contact surfaces properly designed, maintained, installed
- Proper storage of clean and soiled pots and pans
- High-temperature sanitizing dish machine or adequate three compartment sink with drainboards, sanitizing solution, and appropriate test kit
- Properly plumbed potable (drinking) water and wastewater systems. No waste water back up; proper backflow devices installed.
- Adequate number of refuse containers; clean, covered, adequate storage area
- Food preparation sink provided for washing fruits and vegetables
- Mop sink provided
- Clean and organized, no active construction ongoing
- Employee lockers to store clothing and personal care items
- Sufficient storage for dry goods, servicewares, maintenance items, chemicals
- Light fixtures above food products have protective shields properly installed
- No evidence of rodents or insects
- Outside storage area clean
- Kitchen areas properly ventilated and hood inspection current
Your business needs to follow the Massachusetts Food Establishment Regulations. These set the health and safety rules for your opening inspection and every inspection after it.
We inspect businesses at least once a year, usually twice.
These are the most common reasons businesses fail their inspection:
- Physical facilities aren't installed, maintained, or cleaned.
- Handwashing sinks aren’t properly supplied or reachable.
- Insects, rodents, or animals are present.
- Ventilation or lighting isn’t adequate.
- Food or non-food surfaces aren't cleaned or sanitized.
If you had a Plan Review, make sure your actual layout matches your stamped floor plans. The inspector checks your space against those plans, and a mismatch can delay your opening. If you need to change anything after your plans are stamped, contact ISD Health for an additional review before your inspection.
Renewals
Your permit is effective January 1 - December 31 of each year. You must renew annually.
We’ll send a renewal bill around the second week of November each year. Some licenses require supporting documentation, such as proof of gross annual sales, so we can calculate the correct fee. We’ll let you know what you need to do at renewal time.
