Business Licensing & Operations in New Bedford, MA (2026)
5 verified business licensing & operations rules for New Bedford, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
New Bedford allows adult entertainment establishments only by special permit from the City Council, and only within Business, Mixed Use, Business Planned, Industrial A, B or C, or Waterfront Industrial districts. The city bars them outright from residential zones, the Bedford Landing-Waterfront Historic District, and the Central Business District, and requires a 500-foot buffer from housing, schools, churches, other adult businesses, and liquor licensees.
New Bedford Adult Entertainment Special Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsNew Bedford Zoning Ordinance §§ 4110, 4120
4110. General. No building or buildings shall be used as an adult entertainment establishment within a Business, Mixed Use, Business Planned, Industrial "A", Industrial "B", Industrial "C", or Waterfront Industrial District, unless a special permit for such use is granted by the City Council in accordance with the following provisions. No special permit for an adult entertainment establishment ...
Tattoo & Body Modification
New Bedford requires a Zoning Board of Appeals special permit for any body art establishment, bars them from residential districts entirely, sets a 10 p.m. to 10 a.m. closure, and keeps them at least 200 feet from schools, child care or churches and 1,000 feet from another body art business.
New Bedford Tattoo and Body Art Special Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsNew Bedford Zoning Ordinance §§ 4210, 4220 (Body Art)
No building or buildings shall be used as a body art establishment within a Business, Mixed Use, Business Planned, Industrial "A", Industrial "B", Industrial "C", or Waterfront Industrial District, unless a special permit for such use is granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals in accordance with the following provisions. No special permit for a body art establishment shall be granted for a build...
Secondhand Dealers
New Bedford limits junk, old-metals, and secondhand-article dealer licenses under section 15-38 to applicants who have lived in the city, or an adjoining town, for at least six months before applying, though the city council can waive that residency rule by a two-thirds vote.
New Bedford Secondhand Dealer License Rules
Significant RestrictionsNew Bedford, Mass., Code of Ordinances § 15-38
Licenses to deal in junk, old metals or any secondhand articles shall be granted only to persons who have been residents of the city or to a firm, the principal officers of which have been residents of the city, for at least six (6) months next preceding the date of the application for such licenses and to persons who have been residents for at least six (6) months in one of the towns next adjo...
Pawnbrokers
New Bedford's city council licenses pawnbrokers and can revoke a license at pleasure under section 15-33, which also requires every licensee to file a $5,000 bond with the city clerk, backed by two personal sureties or an authorized surety company, before the license takes effect.
New Bedford Pawnbroker License and Bond
Significant RestrictionsNew Bedford, Mass., Code of Ordinances § 15-33
The city council may license suitable persons to carry on the business of pawnbrokers and may revoke such licenses at pleasure. The licensee shall, at the time of receiving such license, file with the city clerk, a bond to the city, in the sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) with two (2) personal sureties approved by the city clerk or a surety company authorized to do business in Massachus...
Towing Companies
New Bedford requires any motor vehicle repair shop, auto body shop, or towing service to hold a license from the licensing board under section 15-69, backed by a $325 application fee, a public hearing with abutter notice, and an annual $300 renewal.
New Bedford Towing Company License Rules
Significant RestrictionsNew Bedford, Mass., Code of Ordinances § 15-69
No person, or firm shall engage in the business of operating a motor vehicle repair shop, motor vehicle auto body shop or towing service as defined in section 15-69.1 without obtaining a license therefor from the licensing board and complying with terms of this ordinance [sections 15-69 through 15-69.13].
Looking for Bristol County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement New Bedford city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in Bristol County →