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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.
16-13 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
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16-27   NUISANCE CONTROL.
16-27.1   Purpose.
   In order to protect the health, safety and welfare of the inhabitants of the city, this Section shall permit the city to impose liability on property owners and other responsible persons for the nuisances and harm caused by unruly gatherings on private property and shall prohibit the consumption of alcoholic beverages by underage persons at such gatherings.
(CBC 1985 16-27.1; Ord. 2012 c. 8 § 1)
16-27.2   Definitions.
   For the purpose of this Section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
   EVICTION. Actively trying to evict a tenant from a premise by delivery of a notice to quit and subsequent court proceedings, if a tenant fails to vacate the premises.
   GATHERING. A party or event where two or more persons have assembled for a social occasion or social activity.
   PREMISES. Any residence or other private property, place or location, including any commercial or business property.
   PROPERTY OWNER. The legal owner of record of a premises as listed by the tax assessor’s records.
   PUBLIC NUISANCE. A gathering of persons on any premises in a manner which constitutes a violation of law or creates a substantial disturbance of the quiet enjoyment of private or public property in a neighborhood. Behavior constituting a PUBLIC NUISANCE includes, but is not limited to, excessive noise, obstruction of public ways by crowds or vehicles, illegal parking, the service of alcohol to underage persons, fights and disturbances of the peace.
(CBC 1985 16-27.1; Ord. 2012 c. 8 § 1)
16-27.3   Mailing of Notice to Property Owners and Others.
   If a Police Officer or other local officials have responded to a gathering constituting a public nuisance as defined pursuant to Subsection 16-27.2, the Commissioner of the Boston Police Department, or designee, shall inform the Inspectional Services Department. The Commissioner of the Inspectional Services Department, or his or her designee, shall cause a notice of response to be made within 30 days of the gathering as follows.
   (A)   Notice of response shall be mailed by certified mail to the property owner(s) of the premises where the gathering occurred as listed on the property tax assessment records. The notice shall advise the property owner(s) that the second response on the same premises within a one-year period, as measured from the date of the first notice, shall result in liability of the property owner.
   (B)   Notice of response shall be sent by mail or other appropriate means to any person who was personally cited at the time of the offense. The notice shall be sent to the address stated on the individuals’ government issued identification.
   (C)   Notice of response shall be sent to the president/headmaster, or his or her designee, of an educational institution if the persons who are liable under Subsections 16-27.4 and 16-27.5 are students at such educational institution. The notice shall be sent by mail or other appropriate means.
(CBC 1985 16-27.3; Ord. 2012 c. 8 § 1)
16-27.4   Liability for a First Response to a Gathering.
   (A)   If the Boston Police Department or other local officials have responded to a gathering constituting a public nuisance on a premises under the provisions of this Section or Subsections, the following persons shall be jointly or severally liable for fines as set forth below; provided that no previous gathering constituting a public nuisance has occurred at the premises within the previous one-year period:
      (1)   The person or persons residing on or otherwise in control of the premises where such gathering took place whether present or not;
      (2)   The person or persons who organized or sponsored such gathering; and
      (3)   All persons attending such gatherings who engage in any activity resulting in the public nuisance as defined pursuant to Subsection 16-27.2.
   (B)   In lieu of issuing a fine(s), a Police Officer may issue a written warning if the response to the complaint occurs prior to 10:00 p.m.
(CBC 1985 16-27.4; Ord. 2012 c. 8 § 1)
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