BPHC’s Board of Health issues yearly licenses and individual project permits to businesses and individuals to ensure the safety and wellbeing of residents.
Tobacco
Burial
1010 Massachusetts Ave., 2nd Floor
Boston, MA 02118
617-534-4758 (Brityan Andrews)
617-534-2361 (Doris Reynolds)
Hours of Operation:
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Office hours may be affected by inclement weather.
Asbestos is a mineral that was used commonly in a wide variety of building materials and insulation. When broken or damaged, it can release microscopic fibers that, when breathed in, can cause cancer and asbestosis. It is not illegal to have asbestos in good condition in a building, but defective or damaged asbestos materials must either be repaired or removed by a Licensed Asbestos Contractor working under a permit issued by the Boston Public Health Commission. Asbestos contractors seeking a permit can use the links below to download application documents or apply online.
Questions? Contact the EOH at 617-534-5965 or EHpermits@bphc.org.
Body art establishment permits and practitioner licensesBusinesses and practitioners offering body art (piercing, tattooing, permanent makeup, etc.) in Boston must be permitted/licensed.
To protect the health of artist and clients, businesses that tattoo, pierce, and perform other body art must get an establishment permit from BPHC. This includes visiting businesses. Individuals performing body art in Boston need a practitioner license from BPHC. Practitioner licenses are required for permanent or temporary artists, such as visiting artists or artists providing body art at a convention.
Questions? Contact the EOH at 617-534-5965 or EHpermits@bphc.org.
Burial PermitsPermits issued for the transportation, burial, or cremations of the remains of individuals who have died in the City of Boston. Special circumstance permits are also issued for the disinterment/reinterment of remains and for fetal death/stillbirth.
Permit application are made online in the VIP system. Before completing the VIP record, follow this link to pay the $31 permit application fee online for a Burial Permit and enter the confirmation number in the notes section of the VIP record:
Beginning September 1, 2021, the online payment processor will begin assessing a small processing fee directly to the payor at the time of payment. This will be in addition to the usual Burial Permit fee. It is not collected by or remitted to the Boston Public Health Commission, but is instead paid directly to the processor.
Special Circumstance Permits cannot be processed through the online VIP system and must be handled by the office via email. After paying the associated permit fee online, please send the following to the office at burialpermits@bphc.org:
The following documents are required for processing a Burial Permit for exhumation, disinterment, or reinterment of remains.
The following documents are required for processing a Burial Permit for fetal and stillborn remains.
Funeral directors must have an annual funeral director license from the EOH for funeral services in the City of Boston.
We implement and enforce the Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure’s regulations for funeral directing. These regulations set requirements for safety procedures in funeral establishments. Funeral directors must have an annual funeral director license from the BPHC for funeral services in the city of Boston.
Questions? Contact the EOH at 617-534-5965 or ehpermits@bphc.org.
Indoor ice skating rink permitsEvery operator of a Boston ice skating rink must apply for and receive a permit if they use fossil fuel powered ice surfacing equipment.
Every operator of an indoor ice skating rink in Boston must apply for and receive a permit from BPHC if they use fossil fuel-powered ice surfacing equipment.
Questions? Contact the EOH at 617-534-5965 or EHpermits@bphc.org.
Junkyards, Solid Waste, Recycling, and Container Storage permitsJunk Yards, Container Storage Lots, and Recycling Facilities need site specific installation permits and operating permits from BPHC.
Junk Yards, Solid Waste Facilities (including transfer stations, incinerators, and landfills), Container Storage Lots, and Recycling Facilities need site-specific installation permits and operating permits from both BPHC and the MA Department of Environmental Protection.
Questions? Contact the Environmental Health Office at 617-534-5965 or EHpermits@bphc.org.
Medical marijuana permits Dispensaries for medical use cannabis in Boston must have an annual operating permit from the BPHC.In November 2012, Massachusetts voters approved a ballot question legalizing medical marijuana use. Registered Marijuana Dispensaries (RMDs) can legally sell marijuana for medicinal use. RMDs are under the purview of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) and local regulation.
Once approved by the state, RMD’s in Boston need to go through a local permitting process. In addition to zoning relief and building permits, RMDs need to apply for a permit from the Environmental & Occupational Health Division (EOH) at BPHC. In addition to zoning relief and building permits, RMDs need to apply for a permit from BPHC.
Do you want to know more about the health effects associated with marijuana use? Visit the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's website. Do you want to get resources or support around marijuana or other substance use? Call Boston 311.
Adult use retail marijuana businesses are regulated separately from medical dispensaries. To learn more about requirements for these businesses, visit the City of Boston Marijuana Legalization page.
The law allows those certified by a physician as having a debilitating medical condition, to use marijuana. These individuals can possess up to a 60-day supply of medical marijuana. A debilitating medical condition is further defined as "HIV/AIDS, cancer, glaucoma, Hepatitis C, ALS, Crohn's Disease, Parkinson's, MS and other conditions as determined by a physician. State regulation determined 10 ounces is a 60-day supply.
To register, a patient must get a letter from their physician and submit an application to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. More details on the patient registration process are available here.
Patients may name a caregiver to help them use medical marijuana. Caregivers must be 21 years old and may buy, grow and assist patients in using medical marijuana.
Do you want to know more about the health effects associated with marijuana use? Visit the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's website. Want resources or support around marijuana or other substance use? Call Boston 311.
Do you have questions about permits? Contact the EOH at 617-534-5965 or EHpermits@bphc.org.
