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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.
16-13 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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16-50   AFTER-HOURS PARTIES.
16-50.1   Purpose.
   The incidences of gatherings known as “house parties” or “after-hours parties” which typically occur in the late-night and early-morning hours have a history of disturbing residents of the city, but they have recently begun to attract violence into neighborhoods. The Boston Police Department has instituted “Operation Party Time” and other programs as direct responses to these disturbances and acts of violence. These Sections are intended to provide the authorities with some legislative tools including civil penalties and fines, to assist the Boston Police Department with its efforts to stop such parties in progress and prevent future occurrences of them to enhance the public safety of the city and to improve the quality of life in the neighborhoods of the city.
(CBC 1985 16-50.1; Ord. 2005 c. 5)
16-50.2   Definitions.
   For the purpose of this Section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
   AFTER-HOURS PARTY. An unpermitted or unlicensed gathering of individuals at a residential dwelling unit after 11:00 p.m. at which money is collected as an admission charge and at which alcohol is served.
   BPD. The Boston Police Department.
   CITY. The City of Boston.
   OCCUPANT. Any invitee, licensee, lessee or tenant in a residential dwelling unit, including, but not limited to, a house, a condominium or an apartment.
   OWNER. Any person or entity that owns a residential dwelling unit, including, but not limited to, a house, a condominium or an apartment.
(CBC 1985 16-50.2; Ord. 2005 c. 5)
16-50.3   Prohibitions.
   The prohibitions and fines in this Section shall supplement any and all other civil and/or criminal penalties allowed by law, ordinance, code or regulation, specifically including, but not limited to, Section 16-26.
   (A)   No occupant of a residential dwelling unit shall organize, host, manage, promote, facilitate, suffer or allow the occurrence of an after-hours party. Each and every violation of this provision shall be subject to a fine of $300.
   (B)   No owner of a residential dwelling unit shall organize, host, manage, promote, facilitate, suffer or allow the occurrence of an after-hours party. Each and every violation of this provision shall be subject to a fine of $300 except in the event of an off-site owner/landlord in which case the off-site owner/landlord shall be issued a written notice of violation/warning for a first incident and shall be subject to the fine in this Subsection for the second such violation and for each and every violation thereafter.
   (C)   No person shall serve alcohol or otherwise act as a bartender during or at an after-hours party. Each and every violation of this provision shall be subject to a fine of $300.
   (D)   No owner or occupant shall hire, employ, encourage, manage, facilitate, suffer or allow a person to serve alcohol or otherwise act as a bartender during or at an after-hours party. Each and every violation of this provision shall be subject to a fine of $300 except in the event of an off-site owner/landlord in which case the off-site owner/landlord shall be issued a written notice of violation/warning for a first incident and shall be subject to the fine in this Subsection for the second such violation and for each and every violation thereafter.
   (E)   No person shall collect money in advance of, during or at an after-hours party for admission to an after-hours party. Each and every violation of this provision shall be subject to a fine of $300.
   (F)   No owner or occupant shall hire, employ, encourage, manage, facilitate, suffer or allow a person to collect money in advance of, during or at an after-hours party for admission to an after-hours party. Each and every violation of this provision shall be subject to a fine of $300 except in the event of an off-site owner/landlord in which case the off-site owner/landlord shall be issued a written notice of violation/warning for a first incident and shall be subject to the fine in this Subsection for the second such violation and for each and every violation thereafter.
   (G)   No person, commonly referred to as a “DJ”, shall deploy or use any electric, electronic, technical, computer or other audio equipment to provide musical entertainment at an after-hours party in a manner that violates the unreasonable noise ordinances of the city. Each and every violation of this provision shall be subject to a fine of $300. Any electric, electronic, technical, computer or other audio equipment to provide musical entertainment at an after-hours party may be confiscated by the Boston Police Department and may be retrieved only upon the full payment of any fine issued pursuant to this Subsection and upon the full payment of a storage fee in the amount of $20 per day or portion thereof that the equipment is stored.
   (H)   No owner or occupant shall hire, employ, encourage, manage, facilitate, suffer or allow a person, commonly referred to as a “DJ”, to deploy or use any electric, electronic, technical, computer or other amplified audio equipment to provide musical entertainment at an after-hours party in a manner that violates the unreasonable noise ordinances of the city. Each and every violation of this provision shall be subject to a fine of $300 except in the event of an off-site owner/landlord in which case the off-site owner/landlord shall be issued a written notice of violation/warning for a first incident and shall be subject to the fine in this Subsection for the second such violation and for each and every violation thereafter.
   (I)   No person shall purchase or procure alcohol for service or sale at an after-hours party. Each and every violation of this provision shall be subject to a fine of $300.
(CBC 1985 16-50.3; Ord. 2005 c. 5)
16-50.4   Applicability.
   If any provision of these Sections imposes greater restrictions or obligations than those imposed by any other general law, special law, regulation, rule, ordinance, order or policy, then the provisions of these Sections shall control.
(CBC 1985 16-50.4; Ord. 2005 c. 5)
16-50.5   Regulatory Authority.
   The Commissioner of the Boston Police Department shall have the authority to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement and enforce these Sections.
(CBC 1985 16-50.5; Ord. 2005 c. 5)
16-50.6   Severability.
   If any provision of these Sections shall be 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.
(CBC 1985 16-50.6; Ord. 2005 c. 5)
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