Skip to code content (skip section selection)
Compare to:
Boston Overview
City of Boston Municipal Code
CITY OF BOSTON CODE OF ORDINANCES
THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF BOSTON
CHAPTER I: GENERAL PROVISIONS
CHAPTER II: FORM OF GOVERNMENT
CHAPTER III: ACQUISITION AND DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY
CHAPTER IV: CONTRACTS
CHAPTER V: ADMINISTRATION
CHAPTER VI: GENERAL SERVICES
CHAPTER VII: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
CHAPTER VIII: DEVELOPMENT
CHAPTER IX: BUILDING REGULATIONS
CHAPTER X: HOUSING SERVICES
CHAPTER XI: PUBLIC SERVICES
CHAPTER XII: PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
CHAPTER XIII: NATURAL GAS
CHAPTER XIV: LICENSING AND CONSUMER BOARDS, COMMITTEES AND OFFICERS
CHAPTER XV: DIVISIONS OF THE MAYOR’S OFFICE
CHAPTER XVI: PROHIBITIONS, PENALTIES AND PERMITS
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.
16-2 HAWKERS AND PEDDLERS.
16-3 RESERVED.
16-4 TAKING OF SHELLFISH.
16-4A PROHIBITED ACTS IN WETLANDS; PERMITS.
16-5 FIREARMS.
16-5A REGULATING THE SALE AND MARKETING OF REPLICA FIREARMS IN THE CITY.
16-5B REGULATING REPLICA FIREARMS IN THE CITY.
16-6 BONFIRES.
16-7 BRICK-KILNS.
16-8 INFLAMMABLE ARTICLES.
16-9 OBSTRUCTION OF FIRE FIGHTERS AND FIRE APPARATUS.
16-10 THE MARKET LIMITS.
16-11 FANEUIL HALL MARKET LIMITS.
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.
16-12.9 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.
16-12.39 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.
16-14 RESERVED.
16-15 USE OF ROADWAY FOR VEHICLES.
16-16 STREET CARS.
16-17 MOVING BUILDINGS AND BULKY MACHINERY.
16-18 SIDEWALKS.
16-19 PUBLIC GROUNDS.
16-20 WATER SUPPLY.
16-21 WARD-ROOMS; FANEUIL HALL.
16-22 NUMBERING OF BUILDINGS.
16-23 NOTICES AND PLACARDS.
16-24 JUNK AND SECOND-HAND ARTICLES.
16-25 OBSCENE AND PORNOGRAPHIC MATERIAL.
16-26 UNREASONABLE NOISE.
16-27 NUISANCE CONTROL.
16-28 JITNEY LICENSES.
16-29 OPEN-AIR THEATERS.
16-30 ABANDONMENT OF AUTOMOBILES.
16-31 RODENT AND INSECT PREVENTION MEASURES AT CONSTRUCTION SITES.
16-32 FINES.
16-33 SIGNS, AWNINGS AND THE LIKE.
16-34 UNLAWFUL TO TAKE REPRISAL AGAINST ANY INDIVIDUAL WHO TESTIFIES BEFORE THE BOSTON CITY COUNCIL.
16-35 WORKPLACE SMOKING POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE.
16-36 CIGARETTE SALES BY VENDING MACHINES RESTRICTED.
16-37 NON-EMERGENCY REPAIR OF VEHICLES.
16-38 PLACEMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF NEWSRACKS.
16-39 SALE OF DANGEROUS INSTRUMENTS.
16-40 LIMITING TOBACCO ACCESS BY YOUTH.
16-41 REGULATING MANNER AND PLACE OF SOLICITATION.
16-42 LASER POINTERS.
16-43 TRESPASSING ON PRIVATE PROPERTY.
16-44 SALE OF MERCURY THERMOMETERS BANNED.
16-45 PROHIBITING THE CARRYING OF KNIVES OR SIMILAR WEAPONS.
16-46 NONCRIMINAL DISPOSITION OF ZONING VIOLATIONS IN THE CITY.
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.
16-49 IDENTIFYING JACKETS FOR VALET PARKERS.
16-50 AFTER-HOURS PARTIES.
16-51 CRACK PIPES.
16-52 MAINTENANCE OF VACANT, FORECLOSING RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES.
16-53 CLEANING OF COMMERCIAL COOKING HOOD AND VENTILATION SYSTEMS.
16-54 PROHIBITION AGAINST SALVIA DIVINORUM.
16-55 UNPAID MUNICIPAL FINES.
16-56 PENALTIES FOR VALID COMPLAINT PROBLEM PROPERTIES.
16-57 PUBLIC NUISANCE PROPERTIES.
16-58 OVER-THE-AIR DEVICES (“OTARD”).
16-59 PROHIBITION OF THE POSSESSION OR SALE OF SYNTHETIC CANNABINOIDS AND ILLICIT SYNTHETIC DRUGS.
16-60 RECREATIONAL VEHICLES.
16-61 REGULATION OF LETTER GRADING OF FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS AND FOOD TRUCKS.
16-62 ORDINANCE BANNING FACE SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY IN BOSTON.
16-63 ORDINANCE ON SURVEILLANCE OVERSIGHT AND INFORMATION SHARING
16-64 AN ORDINANCE REGARDING TARGETED RESIDENTIAL PICKETING.
16-65 SAFE CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION OPERATIONS IN THE CITY.
16-66 UNLAWFUL CAMPING ON PUBLIC PROPERTY.
CHAPTER XVII: LICENSES AND REGULATIONS AFFECTING CERTAIN TRADES
CHAPTER XVIII: FEES AND CHARGES
CHAPTER XIX: SCHOOLS
CHAPTER XX: CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS
CHAPTER XXI: MISCELLANEOUS PUBLIC BUILDINGS
CHAPTER XXII: SUFFOLK COUNTY
CHAPTER XXIII: TRASH AND REFUSE DISPOSAL
CHAPTER XXIV: BOSTON JOBS, LIVING WAGE AND PREVAILING WAGE ORDINANCE
PARALLEL REFERENCES
Loading...
16-12.31A   Concerning Parental Responsibility for Public Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages by Minors.
   A parent, guardian or legal custodian of an unemancipated minor child shall be liable for any willful act committed by said child in violation of the provisions of Subsections 16-12.28, 16-12.29 or 16-12.30, supra. This provision shall be enforced by all Police Officers and shall be punishable by a fine of $50. This Section shall be enforced under non-criminal disposition of violations in the manner and to the extent provided in M.G.L. Chapter 40, Section 21D.
(CBC 1985 16-12.31; Ord. 1986 c. 16 § 1)
16-12.32   Vaults Under Sidewalks.
   No person shall make any permanent excavation under the surface of a street, the inner face of the wall of which extends further under the street than to a line 18 inches inside the line of the outer edge of the curbstone or sidewalk.
(CBC 1975 Ord. T14 § 313; CBC 1985 16-12.32)
16-12.33   Gratings.
   No person shall place or maintain in a street any grating which extends more than 18 inches into the street, or the spaces between the bars of which are more than 1 inch in width.
(CBC 1975 Ord. T14 § 314; CBC 1985 16-12.33)
16-12.34   Openings in Street.
   No person shall make a coal-hole or other opening in a street, except in accordance with a permit from the Commissioner of Public Works.
(CBC 1975 Ord. T14 § 315; CBC 1985 16-12.34)
16-12.35   Steps.
   No person shall maintain an entrance to his or her estate by steps descending immediately from or near the line of a public street, unless the same is securely guarded.
(CBC 1975 Ord. T14 § 316; CBC 1985 16-12.35)
16-12.36   Street Openings.
   No person shall open or occupy any portion of a street, except in accordance with a permit from the Commissioner of Public Works. Such permit shall be exhibited to a Police Officer upon his or her request.
(CBC 1975 Ord. T14 § 317; CBC 1985 16-12.36)
16-12.37   Prohibiting Operation of Skateboards, Roller Blades, Roller Skates and Stunt-Type Bicycles on Certain Public Property.
   (A)   Operation of skateboards, roller blades, roller skates and stunt-type bicycles on public property prohibited.
      (1)   Unless otherwise permitted by city rule or regulation, it shall be unlawful for any person to ride or operate roller blades, roller skates, a skateboard or stunt-type bicycle upon public property in the city. Public property includes, but is not limited to, stairs, fountain areas, plazas or any area under the care, custody and control of the city but, for the purpose of this Subsection, shall not include streets or sidewalks.
      (2)   The Transportation Commission may by regulation declare it unlawful for any person to ride or operate roller blades, roller skates, a skateboard or stunt-type bicycle upon specific streets or sidewalks within the city.
   (B)   Penalties. An individual who violates division (A) above shall be subject to a fine of $100 for a first offense and $200 for any subsequent offense, but a court may authorize community service in lieu of all or part of this fine.
   (C)   Enforcement. The provisions of M.G.L. Chapter 40, Section 21D may be utilized to enforce this Section.
   (D)   Severability. The provisions of this Section shall be severable and if any Section, part or portion hereof shall be held invalid for any purpose by any court of competent jurisdiction, the decision of the court shall not affect or impair any remaining Section, part or portion thereof.
(CBC 1985 16-12.37; Ord. 1997 c. 8 §§ 1–3; Ord. 2003 c. 1)
16-12.38   Gas-Powered Vehicles: Scooters, Powerboards and Mini-Motorbikes.
   (A)   Definition. This Section refers to scooters, powerboards and mini-motorbikes that have handlebars, that have two wheels, that are designed to be stood upon or sat upon by the operator and that are gas-powered by an engine or motor capable of propelling the vehicle with or without human thrust.
   (B)   Prohibition from sidewalks. No person may use, ride or otherwise operate a gas-powered scooter, powerboard or mini-motorbike on a sidewalk of the city.
   (C)   Prohibition from streets. No person may use, ride or otherwise operate a gas-powered scooter, powerboard or mini-motorbike on a public way, private way, street or on the grounds of any public school in the city unless that person is 16 years of age or older and is carrying a valid driver’s/operator’s license.
   (D)   Penalties. Any person violating the provisions of this Section shall be subject to a fine of $25 for a first offense and $50 for a second or any subsequent offense, but a court of competent jurisdiction may substitute community service for any fine monies.
   (E)   Exceptions. Nothing in these Sections shall prevent the legal use of:
      (1)   Any mechanical or motorized device designed and used to assist a person with a disability affecting ambulation;
      (2)   A moped that has been registered with the commonwealth’s Registry of Motor Vehicles; and
      (3)   A motorized bicycle that has been registered with the commonwealth’s Registry of Motor Vehicles.
   (F)   Enforcement. The Boston Transportation Department and the Boston Police Department shall have the authority to enforce this Section. The provisions of M.G.L. Chapter 40, Section 21D may be used to enforce these Sections. The Boston Police Department shall have the authority to impound any vehicle in violation of these Sections.
   (G)   Regulatory authority. The Commissioner of the Boston Transportation Department and the Commissioner of the Boston Police Department shall have the authority to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement and enforce these Sections.
   (H)   Severability. If any provision of these Sections are held to be invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, then such provision shall be considered separately and apart from the remaining provisions, which shall remain in full force and effect.
   (I)   Implementation. The provisions of this Section shall be effective immediately after passage.
(CBC 1985 16-12.38; Ord. 2004 c. 6)
Loading...