CHAPTER XVI: PROHIBITIONS, PENALTIES AND PERMITS
Section
16-A1   LICENSE AND PERMIT DENIAL, REVOCATION OR SUSPENSION
   16-A1.1   Failure and/or Refusal to Pay Municipal Charges
   16-A1.2   Safety Concerns and History
16-A2   FINGERPRINTING AND CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORDS CHECKS REQUIRED FOR CERTAIN LICENSES
16-1   HEALTH
   16-1.1   Fish
   16-1.2   Reserved
   16-1.3   Decayed Food
   16-1.4   Reserved
   16-1.4A   Bakery—Food Products, Retail Sale of
   16-1.5   Reserved
   16-1.6   Reserved
   16-1.7   Permit for Catered Functions
   16-1.8   Reserved
   16-1.8A   Live Fowl, Farm Animals
   16-1.9   Restraining Dogs
   16-1.9A   Fines for Violation
   16-1.9B   Dangerous Dogs
   16-1.9B.1   Definitions
   16-1.9B.2   Dangerous Dogs
   16-1.9C   Dog Registration and Licensing
   16-1.9D   Disposition of Fines
   16-1.9E   Reserved
   16-1.9F   Leasing of Licensed Dogs
   16-1.9F.1   Purpose
   16-1.9F.2   Definitions
   16-1.9F.3   Prohibition
   16-1.9F.4   Enforcement
   16-1.9F.5   Fines
   16-1.9F.6   Severability
   16-1.9F.7   Effective Date
   16-1.9G   Sale of Animals
   16-1.9G.1   Definitions
   16-1.9G.2   Sale of Dogs, Cats, Guinea Pigs or Rabbits by Pet Shops Prohibited
   16-1.9G.3   Penalties
   16-1.9G.4   Enforcement
   16-1.9G.5   Applicability
   16-1.9G.6   Severability
   16-1.10   Keeping of Animals
   16-1.10A   Dog Fouling
   16-1.11   Manure
   16-1.12   Removal of Manure
   16-1.13   Reserved
   16-1.14   Reserved
   16-1.15   Reserved
   16-1.16   Reserved
   16-1.17   Reserved
   16-1.18   Water-Closets
   16-1.19   Reserved
   16-1.19A   Air Pollution Prohibited; Permit
   16-1.20   Reserved
   16-1.20A   Reserved
   16-1.21   Reserved
   16-1.22   Reserved
   16-1.23   Cesspools and Privies
   16-1.24   Sewage and Waste Water
   16-1.25   Drains
   16-1.26   Reserved
16-2   HAWKERS AND PEDDLERS
   16-2.1   Registration
   16-2.2   Crying of Wares
   16-2.3   Tobacco Products, Distribution in Public Places
   16-2.4   Vehicles and Receptacles
   16-2.5   Sale of Propelled Novelty Substances Prohibited
   16-2.6   Improper Preparation of Food
   16-2.7   Hawkers, Peddlers Selling Goods, Wares or Merchandise
16-3   RESERVED
16-4   TAKING OF SHELLFISH
   16-4.1   Family Use and Commercial Permits
16-4A   PROHIBITED ACTS IN WETLANDS; PERMITS
16-5   FIREARMS
   16-5.1   Firing of Cannons and Guns
16-5A   REGULATING THE SALE AND MARKETING OF REPLICA FIREARMS IN THE CITY
   16-5A.1   Definitions
   16-5A.2   Regulation
   16-5A.3   Exceptions
   16-5A.4   Enforcement
   16-5A.5   Appeal Procedure
   16-5A.6   Effective Date
16-5B   REGULATING REPLICA FIREARMS IN THE CITY
   16-5B.1   Definition
   16-5B.2   Regulation
   16-5B.3   Enforcement
   16-5B.4   Penalties
16-6   BONFIRES
   16-6.1   Permits Required
16-7   BRICK-KILNS
   16-7.1   Permits Required
16-8   INFLAMMABLE ARTICLES
   16-8.1   Defined; Age and Marking Requirements
   16-8.2   Sale of Certain Paints and Markers
   16-8.3   Display of Certain Paints and Markers
   16-8.4   Prohibiting Defacement of Property, and Possession of Certain Items
   16-8.5   Graffiti Removal
16-9   OBSTRUCTION OF FIRE FIGHTERS AND FIRE APPARATUS
   16-9.1   Interference Forbidden
16-10   THE MARKET LIMITS
   16-10.1   Reserved
   16-10.2   Obstruction to Travel
   16-10.3   Sunday Regulations
   16-10.4   Disorderly Conduct
   16-10.5   Compliance with Directions
16-11   FANEUIL HALL MARKET LIMITS
   16-11.1   Place and Hours of Sale
16-12   USE OF STREETS
   16-12.1   Reserved
   16-12.2   Loitering
   16-12.2A   Display of Permits
   16-12.3   Advertising
   16-12.4   Merchandise to and from Second Story
   16-12.5   Sprinkling Ashes and the like on Streets; Removal of Manure
   16-12.6   Reserved
   16-12.7   Reserved
   16-12.8   Littering
   16-12.8A   Implementation and Maintenance of a System to Retain all Shopping Carts within a Business Establishment
   16-12.8A.1   Purpose
   16-12.8A.2   Definitions
   16-12.8A.3   On-Site Retention
   16-12.8A.4   Removal of Shopping Carts
   16-12.8A.5   Retrieval of Shopping Carts
   16-12.8A.6   Fines
   16-12.8A.7   Appeal
   16-12.8A.8   Permits
   16-12.8A.9   Stolen Property
   16-12.8A.10   Regulatory Authority
   16-12.8A.11   Effective Date
   16-12.8A.12   Severability
   16-12.9   Litter from Vehicles
   16-12.10   Reserved
   16-12.11   Reserved
   16-12.12   Reserved
   16-12.13   Reserved
   16-12.14   Use of Propelled Novelty Substances Prohibited
   16-12.15   Throwing or Shooting on Streets
   16-12.16   Snow, Slush and Ice on Sidewalks and Curb Ramps
   16-12.17   Reserved
   16-12.18   Reserved
   16-12.19   Cutting of Grass
   16-12.20   Reserved
   16-12.21   Reserved
   16-12.22   Reserved
   16-12.23   Reserved
   16-12.24   Reserved
   16-12.25   Unlawful Games
   16-12.26   Protection of Trees, Lamp-Post and Hydrants
   16-12.27   Abusive Language; Soliciting in Streets
   16-12.28   Drinking of Alcoholic Beverages in Public
   16-12.29   Procurement of Alcoholic Beverages for Underage Individuals
   16-12.30   The Use of Intimidation to Obtain Alcoholic Beverages
   16-12.30A   The Use of False Identification to Obtain Alcoholic Beverages
   16-12.31   Posting of “Warning” Notice
   16-12.31A   Concerning Parental Responsibility for Public Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages by Minors
   16-12.32   Vaults Under Sidewalks
   16-12.33   Gratings
   16-12.34   Openings in Street
   16-12.35   Steps
   16-12.36   Street Openings
   16-12.37   Prohibiting Operation of Skateboards, Roller Blades, Roller Skates and Stunt-Type Bicycles on Certain Public Property
   16-12.38   Gas-Powered Vehicles: Scooters, Powerboards and Mini-Motorbikes
   16-12.38A   Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Devices
   16-12.38A.1   Definition of Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Device or EPAMD
   16-12.38A.2   Prohibition of EPAMDs
   16-12.38A.3   Definition of Tour Operator
   16-12.38A.4   Limited Use of EPAMDs for Tour Operations
   16-12.38A.5   Limited Use of EPAMDs for Disabled Persons for Mobility Purposes
   16-12.38A.6   Use of EPAMDs for Advertising
   16-12.38A.7   Penalties
   16-12.38A.8   Enforcement
   16-12.38A.9   Regulatory Authority
   16-12.38A.10   Severability
   16-12.39   Pedicabs
   16-12.40   Prohibiting Operation of Party Bikes
   16-12.41   Parking in a Marked Bike Lane or Marked Shared Bike Lane
   16-12.42   Parking or Stopping Within Any Pedestrian Safety Zone
   16-12.43   Prohibiting the Selling, Leasing or Reserving of Public Ways
16-13   BRIDGES AND WHARVES
   16-13.1   Rules Concerning Bridges and Wharves
   16-13.2   Relative to the Licensing of Certain Bridges and Tunnels
16-14   RESERVED
   16-14.1   Reserved
16-15   USE OF ROADWAY FOR VEHICLES
   16-15.1   Horse-Drawn Vehicles
   16-15.2   Reserved
   16-15.3   Bells on Vehicles
   16-15.4   Direction of Vehicles
   16-15.5   Vehicles for Hire
   16-15.6   Use of Protective Headgear
16-16   STREET CARS
   16-16.1   Speed Limits
   16-16.2   Intersections
   16-16.3   Curves
   16-16.4   Grades
   16-16.5   Proximity to Roads
   16-16.6   Joint Use of Roads
   16-16.7   Safety Distances
   16-16.8   Avoiding Collisions; Obeying Police Directions
   16-16.9   Precautions; Warning Bells
   16-16.10   Prompt Stopping
   16-16.11   Stopping in Intersections
   16-16.12   Spreading of Gravel, Sand and the Like
16-17   MOVING BUILDINGS AND BULKY MACHINERY
   16-17.1   Moving Buildings
   16-17.2   Removing Hindrances
16-18   SIDEWALKS
   16-18.1   Use of Sidewalks
16-19   PUBLIC GROUNDS
   16-19.1   Use of Public Grounds
   16-19.2   Public Addresses, Vending and the Like
   16-19.3   Permit for Use of Park Land for Demonstrations
   16-19.4   Profanity and Other Offenses
16-20   WATER SUPPLY
   16-20.1   Use of Water
16-21   WARD-ROOMS; FANEUIL HALL
   16-21.1   Ward Meetings
   16-21.2   Voter Lists
   16-21.3   Decorations
16-22   NUMBERING OF BUILDINGS
   16-22.1   Regulation Concerning Numbering of Buildings
16-23   NOTICES AND PLACARDS
   16-23.1   Prior Consent to Post Notices
   16-23.2   Removal After Elections
   16-23.3   Posting in Public Places
   16-23.4   Reserved
16-24   JUNK AND SECOND-HAND ARTICLES
   16-24.1   Business Hours
16-25   OBSCENE AND PORNOGRAPHIC MATERIAL
   16-25.1   Fine for Selling
16-26   UNREASONABLE NOISE
   16-26.1   General Prohibition and Definitions
   16-26.2   Unreasonable Noise-Making Automobile Safety Devices
   16-26.3   Unreasonable Noise From Automobile Safety Devices
   16-26.4   Regulation of Construction Hours
   16-26.5   Noise Levels at Residential Lot Lines
   16-26.6   Disturbing the Peace
   16-26.7   Prohibition Against Certain Sound Devices in Motor Vehicles
   16-26.8   Prohibition Against Loud Amplification Devices in Public Ways or Places
   16-26.9   Prohibition Against Loud Amplification Devices in or on Residential Premises
   16-26.10   Enforcement
   16-26.11   Penalties
   16-26.12   Arrest and Seizure of Property
   16-26.13   Exemptions
   16-26.14   Severability
16-27   NUISANCE CONTROL
   16-27.1   Purpose
   16-27.2   Definitions
   16-27.3   Mailing of Notice to Property Owners and Others
   16-27.4   Liability for a First Response to a Gathering
   16-27.5   Liability for a Second or Subsequent Response to a Gathering Constituting a Public Nuisance
   16-27.6   Enforcement
   16-27.7   Severability
16-28   JITNEY LICENSES
   16-28.1   Requirement
   16-28.2   Publication and Notice
   16-28.3   Route
   16-28.4   Fare
   16-28.5   Information to Passengers
   16-28.6   Number of Passengers
   16-28.7   Operation
   16-28.8   Carriage of Passengers
   16-28.9   Lighting and the Like
   16-28.10   Conduct of Operators
16-29   OPEN-AIR THEATERS
   16-29.1   Open-Air Projection
16-30   ABANDONMENT OF AUTOMOBILES
   16-30.1   Abandoned, Unregistered or Uninsured Vehicles
16-31   RODENT AND INSECT PREVENTION MEASURES AT CONSTRUCTION SITES
16-32   FINES
   16-32.1   Generally
   16-32.2   Drinking of Alcoholic Beverages in Public, Fine
   16-32.3   Alternative Noncriminal Disposition of Violations of Subsection 16-1.9, 16-1.9B, 16-12.7 and 16-32.4
   16-32.4   Enforcement of Certain Sections
   16-32.5   Enforcement in Accordance with Massachusetts General Law
   16-32.6   Violations; Fine Established
   16-32.7   Enforcement of Certain Environmental Protection Ordinances
16-33   SIGNS, AWNINGS AND THE LIKE
   16-33.1   Definitions
   16-33.2   Issuance of Number by Appropriate Department
   16-33.3   Inspectional Services Department
   16-33.4   Public Works Department
   16-33.5   Parks and Recreation Commission
   16-33.6   Enforcement
   16-33.7   Fine
16-34   UNLAWFUL TO TAKE REPRISAL AGAINST ANY INDIVIDUAL WHO TESTIFIES BEFORE THE BOSTON CITY COUNCIL
   16-34.1   Reprisal Action Against Person Who Testifies Before Boston City Council Unlawful
   16-34.2   Complaint of Reprisal; Action by Chair of Committee
   16-34.3   Report to Boston City Council of Reprisal; Boston City Council May Impose Disciplinary Action
   16-34.4   Definition
   16-34.5   Severability
16-35   WORKPLACE SMOKING POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE
   16-35.1   Legislative Intent
   16-35.2   Title
   16-35.3   Purpose
   16-35.4   Definitions
   16-35.5   Regulation of Smoking in the Workplace
   16-35.6   Where Smoking Not Regulated
   16-35.7   Penalties and Enforcement
16-36   CIGARETTE SALES BY VENDING MACHINES RESTRICTED
   16-36.1   Regulations
   16-36.2   Enforcement
   16-36.3   Violations and Penalties
   16-36.4   Severability
16-37   NON-EMERGENCY REPAIR OF VEHICLES
   16-37.1   Prohibition
   16-37.2   Violation
16-38   PLACEMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF NEWSRACKS
   16-38.1   Definitions
   16-38.2   Certificate of Compliance
   16-38.3   Installation
   16-38.4   Maintenance
   16-38.5   Enforcement
   16-38.6   Abandonment
   16-38.7   Emergency Removal
   16-38.8   Fees
   16-38.9   Effect on Other Laws
   16-38.10   Severability
   16-38.11   Initial Application Acceptance Date
   16-38.12   Effective Date
16-39   SALE OF DANGEROUS INSTRUMENTS
   16-39.1   Prohibition of Sale of Dangerous Instruments
   16-39.2   Penalty
   16-39.3   Exemption
   16-39.4   Licensing Requirements for Stores Selling Certain Knives
16-40   LIMITING TOBACCO ACCESS BY YOUTH
   16-40.1   Definitions
   16-40.2   Tobacco Sales to Minors Prohibited
   16-40.3   Enforcement
   16-40.4   Public Education
   16-40.5   Boston Public Health Commission Authority
16-41   REGULATING MANNER AND PLACE OF SOLICITATION
   16-41.1   Definitions
   16-41.2   Prohibited Acts
   16-41.3   Enforcement
   16-41.4   Penalties
   16-41.5   Severability
16-42   LASER POINTERS
   16-42.1   Definitions
   16-42.2   Sales to Minors Prohibited
   16-42.3   Sales Restricted
   16-42.4   Possession Restricted
   16-42.5   Harassment by Laser Beams in Public Prohibited
   16-42.6   Penalty
16-43   TRESPASSING ON PRIVATE PROPERTY
16-44   SALE OF MERCURY THERMOMETERS BANNED
   16-44.1   Definitions
   16-44.2   Retail Sale Prohibited
   16-44.3   Manufacturing Prohibited
   16-44.4   Importation Prohibited
   16-44.5   Restriction on the Sale of Mercury Thermometers
   16-44.6   Penalty
16-45   PROHIBITING THE CARRYING OF KNIVES OR SIMILAR WEAPONS
   16-45.1   Carrying of Weapons Prohibited
   16-45.2   Distribution Exception
   16-45.3   Applicability
   16-45.4   Penalty
   16-45.5   Severability
16-46   NONCRIMINAL DISPOSITION OF ZONING VIOLATIONS IN THE CITY
   16-46.1   General Penalty: Noncriminal Disposition of Zoning Violations
   16-46.2   Enforcing Person and Regulatory Authority
   16-46.3   Violations
   16-46.4   Enforcement, Penalties and Fines
   16-46.5   Severability
16-47   PROHIBITING THE SALE AND/OR INSTALLATION OF A MUFFLER CUT-OUT OR BY-PASS AND PROHIBITING CERTAIN MODIFICATIONS TO EXHAUST SYSTEMS
16-48   BOAT SLIPS AND MOORINGS
   16-48.1   Purpose
   16-48.2   Definitions
   16-48.3   Harbormaster Authorization
   16-48.4   Permits
   16-48.5   Assignment
   16-48.6   Fees
   16-48.7   Decals
   16-48.8   Application Dates
   16-48.9   Use
   16-48.10   Expiration
   16-48.11   Changes
   16-48.12   Marking on Mooring
   16-48.13   Enforcement and Penalties
   16-48.14   Annual Report
   16-48.15   Boston Waterways Board
   16-48.16   Applicability
   16-48.17   Regulatory Authority
   16-48.18   Severability
   16-48.19   Implementation
16-49   IDENTIFYING JACKETS FOR VALET PARKERS
   16-49.1   Purpose
   16-49.2   Definitions
   16-49.3   Prohibition
   16-49.4   Enforcement and Penalties
   16-49.5   Exemptions
   16-49.6   Applicability
   16-49.7   Regulatory Authority
   16-49.8   Severability
   16-49.9   Implementation
16-50   AFTER-HOURS PARTIES
   16-50.1   Purpose
   16-50.2   Definitions
   16-50.3   Prohibitions
   16-50.4   Applicability
   16-50.5   Regulatory Authority
   16-50.6   Severability
   16-50.7   Implementation
16-51   CRACK PIPES
   16-51.1   Prohibition Against Sale
   16-51.2   Prohibition Against Possession
   16-51.3   Penalty
   16-51.4   Implementation
16-52   MAINTENANCE OF VACANT, FORECLOSING RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES
   16-52.1   Purpose
   16-52.2   Definitions
   16-52.3   Registration of Vacant and/or Foreclosing Residential Properties; Duty to Provide Written Notice of Vacant, Residential Property and/or Mortgage Foreclosure
   16-52.4   Maintenance Requirements
   16-52.5   Inspections
   16.52.6   Enforcement and Penalties
   16-52.7   Appeal
   16-52.8   Applicability
   16-52.9   Regulatory Authority
   16-52.10   Severability
   16-52.11   Implementation
   16-52.12   Notice
16-53   CLEANING OF COMMERCIAL COOKING HOOD AND VENTILATION SYSTEMS
   16-53.1   Purpose
   16-53.2   Applicability
   16-53.3   Procedures
   16-53.4   Penalties
   16-53.5   Effective Date
16-54   PROHIBITION AGAINST SALVIA DIVINORUM
   16-54.1   Sale Prohibited
   16-54.2   Exception
   16-54.3   Fines
   16-54.4   Enforcement
16-55   UNPAID MUNICIPAL FINES
16-56   PENALTIES FOR VALID COMPLAINT PROBLEM PROPERTIES
16-57   PUBLIC NUISANCE PROPERTIES
   16-57.1   Purpose
   16-57.2   Definitions
   16-57.3   Application
   16-57.4   Enforcement
   16-57.5   Non-criminal Dispositions
   16-57.6   Penalties
   16-57.7   Remediation
   16-57.8   Verifiable and Certified Inspection
   16-57.9   Receivership
   16-57.10   Reporting
16-58   OVER-THE-AIR DEVICES (“OTARD”)
   16-58.1   Purpose
   16-58.2   Definitions
   16-58.3   Installations
   16-58.4   Use and Maintenance
   16-58.5   Removal
   16-58.6   Unified Statement
   16-58.7   Appropriate City Authority
16-59   PROHIBITION OF THE POSSESSION OR SALE OF SYNTHETIC CANNABINOIDS AND ILLICIT SYNTHETIC DRUGS
   16-59.1   Purpose
   16-59.2   Definitions
   16-59.3   Prohibition of Synthetic Cannabinoids
   16-59.4   Enforcement
   16-59.5   Penalty
   16.59.6   Severability
   16-59.7   Effective Date
16-60   RECREATIONAL VEHICLES
   16-60.1   Recreational Vehicles
16-61   REGULATION OF LETTER GRADING OF FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS AND FOOD TRUCKS
   16-61.1   Purpose
   16-61.2   Definition
   16-61.3   Requirements
   16-61.4   Enforcement and Penalty
   16-61.5   Appeal
16-62   ORDINANCE BANNING FACE SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY IN BOSTON
16-63   ORDINANCE ON SURVEILLANCE OVERSIGHT AND INFORMATION SHARING
   16-63.1   Purpose
   16-63.2   Definitions
   16-63.3   Community Control Over Surveillance
   16-63.4   Boston Public Schools and Boston Police Department Information-Sharing Policy
   16-63.5   Annual Surveillance Report
   16-63.6   Enforcement
   16-63.7   Severability
   16-63.8   Effective Date and Implementation
   16-63.9   Establishment of a Surveillance, Data and Privacy Working Group
16-64   AN ORDINANCE REGARDING TARGETED RESIDENTIAL PICKETING
16-65   SAFE CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION OPERATIONS IN THE CITY
   16-65.1   Definitions
   16-65.2   Purpose and Scope
   16-65.3   Responsibility for Safety
   16-65.4   Fire Prevention Code
   16-65.5   Site Safety Plan Affidavit Required
   16-65.6   Site Safety Monitoring Plan Required
   16-65.7   Site Safety Coordinator Required
   16-65.8   Enforcement
   16-65.9   Regulations
16-66   UNLAWFUL CAMPING ON PUBLIC PROPERTY
   16-66.1   Definitions
   16-66.2   Purpose
   16-66.3   Unlawful Camping on Public Property
   16-66.4   Restrictions on Unlawful Camping During a Period when Shelter is Unavailable
   16-66.5   Offer of Shelter
   16-66.6   Storage of Property
   16-66.7   Removal
   16-66.8   Notice to Individuals
   16-66.9   Penalty for Violations
   16-66.10   Reporting to Boston City Council
   16-66.11   Severability
Editor’s note:
   For a history of many of the Sections in this Chapter, see Rev. Ord. 1961 and 1971 Supplement. See also Ord. 1972 c. 1, c. 10, c. 15; Ord. 1973 c.4; Ord. 1975 c.2.