Business Licensing & Operations in Boston, MA (2026)
5 verified business licensing & operations rules for Boston, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Boston's zoning code forbids adult bookstores and adult entertainment uses in every district citywide except within the designated Adult Entertainment District overlay, an area established under Section 3-1A by Map Amendment No. 130 specifically to concentrate Use Items No. 34A and 38A in one location.
Boston Adult Entertainment Zoning Confinement Rule
Significant RestrictionsBoston Zoning Code Art. 3, § 3-1A(d)
d.Adult Entertainment District. An adult entertainment district is an overlay district in which Use Items No. 34A and 38A (adult books and adult entertainment) are allowed, and in which the prohibition of moving or flashing signs in Section 11-2 does not apply.
Massage Establishments
Every massage establishment in Boston must hold an annual license from the Inspectional Services Department before opening, and the city's own fee code sets that license at a flat $100 a year. Boston Code of Ordinances § 18-1.13(F) fixes the charge under authority granted by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 140, Section 51.
Boston Massage Establishment License Fee
Some RestrictionsBoston Code of Ordinances § 18-1.13(F)
Massage establishment license. The fee for an annual license to own and/or operate a massage establishment granted by the Inspectional Services Department under M.G.L., Chapter 140, Section 51 shall be $100.
Tobacco Retail License
Every Boston retailer selling tobacco products must hold a city "Permit for Location and Sales" from the Boston Public Health Commission, separate from the state license, at $100 per location per year. Selling without it, or violating posting rules, draws escalating fines and permit suspension.
Boston Tobacco Retail Location Permit
Significant RestrictionsBoston Code of Ordinances § 16-40.2(C)
After the effective date of this Section, all retailers who are required to hold a commonwealth license to sell cigarettes or other tobacco products, will be required to hold and maintain a valid "Permit for Location and Sales" from the city for each location at which tobacco products are sold. ... The term of the permit shall be one year. ... The fee for a one-year tobacco retailer's "Permit f...
Secondhand Dealers
Boston requires a Police Commissioner license to buy, sell or deal in junk, old metals or secondhand articles under Code of Ordinances § 17-4.1, and bars reselling purchased secondhand goods for 30 days, junk and old metal for one week, after they're received.
Boston Junk & Secondhand Dealer Licensing
Some RestrictionsBoston Code of Ordinances § 17-4.4
No such shop-keeper holding a license from the Police Commissioner as a dealer in second-hand articles shall permit to be sold any article purchased or received by him or her until at least 30 days after its purchase or receipt. Nor shall any dealer in, or keeper of a shop for the purchase, sale or barter of, junk or old metals, permit to be sold any article purchased or received by him or her ...
Pawnbrokers
A pawnbroker operating in Boston needs an annual license from the Police Commissioner, and the city sets that license at $100 in its own fee code. Boston Code of Ordinances § 18-1.16(V) fixes the fee under the authority of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 140, Section 70, the state pawnbroker-licensing statute.
Boston Pawnbroker's License Fee
Some RestrictionsBoston Code of Ordinances § 18-1.16(V)
Pawnbroker's license. The fee for a pawnbroker's license granted by the Police Commissioner under M.G.L. Chapter 140, Section 70 shall be $100.