Everett, MA Environmental Rules: Boat Dock Permits (2026)

Division 4 of Chapter 12 of the Everett Revised Ordinances covers commercial passenger vessel permits. Section 12-371 defines a commercial passenger vessel as any boat that carries passengers for a fee or as a free service associated with another business, including charter, cruise, dinner, excursion, ferry, harbor tender, taxi and tour boats. This page covers that permit and the docking duty it creates. It does not quote any separate permit for a private recreational dock.

Section 12-372 sets two duties. Subsection (a) bars an owner from operating the vessel within the limits of the city without the permit from the city council. Subsection (b) reaches the landowner: no owner of any property located, in whole or in part, within the limits of the city can allow any party to dock a commercial passenger vessel at the property unless that party has first obtained the permit. A waterfront owner who rents out a berth is therefore on the hook alongside the boat operator.

The application needs several documents under Section 12-374. For each boat: a copy of the current Massachusetts boat registration, the current United States Coast Guard certificate of inspection, the certificate of insurance, and the location where the vessel will be docked when not in use. For each operator: a copy of the United States Coast Guard captain's permit for the class of vessel they will operate. In deciding whether to grant a permit, the city council considers the effect on the neighborhood in relation to fire hazards, aesthetics, traffic and air, noise and water pollution.

Conditions are specific. Every owner must maintain a legal location to dock the boats. Every owner must carry a business liability policy naming the city as an additional insured, with limits of not less than two million dollars ($2,000,000.00) for injuries per occurrence, not less than two million dollars in general liability and not less than two million dollars in marine protection and indemnity. The council can add conditions, including limits on days and hours of operation. Section 12-301 lists the fees: $500.00 application, $500.00 annual for the first vessel and $250.00 for each additional vessel, expiring May 31st.