How much permits cost to open in Boston

In Boston, the filings with a fixed government fee add up to about $565. 7 more are set by the space or the business, and 7 are free. Build-out, insurance and adviser costs are on top.

Updated October 17, 202616 filingsSources: the agencies' own sites

Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN)

Internal Revenue ServiceUS federal

Owners with an SSN or ITIN apply online. A company whose responsible party has neither (most China-based owners) faxes or mails Form SS-4, or calls the IRS international line.

Fee
Free
Filed
Paper form, faxed or mailed
Takes
Fax: about 4 business days. Mail: about 4 to 5 weeks. Phone: issued on the call.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
LLC formation

Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations DivisionMA

Form the LLC or register a foreign company online.

Fee
$500
Filed
Filed online

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Sales tax registration

Massachusetts Department of RevenueMA

Register for sales tax and withholding before trading.

Fee
Free
Filed
Filed online
Takes
DOR doesn't publish how long registration takes; once approved, it mails a registration certificate for each location.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Create/Update Importer Identity Form

U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionUS federal

Sent to CBP (usually through your customs broker), or created in the ACE portal. Needed before your first entry as importer of record.

Fee
Free
Filed
Paper form, mailed
Takes
Up to 5 business days.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Customs Bond

U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionUS federal

Bought from a CBP-approved surety, usually through your customs broker, who files it electronically. A continuous bond covers a year of entries.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed on the agency's portal
Takes
At least 5 business days for review.
Renews
Continuous bonds renew yearly.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Certified food protection manager

Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Food Protection ProgramMA

At least one manager on staff passes a food protection manager exam from a nationally accredited provider that Massachusetts accepts; a backup person in charge covers when they're away. Boston asks for the certificate with the food service permit application.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed online
Renews
Every 5 years.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
ACE Secure Data Portal account for importers

U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionUS federal

Applied for online in ACE. Lets you see your entries, duties and bond.

Fee
Free
Filed
Filed online

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Allergen awareness certificate

Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Food Protection ProgramMA

The person in charge, who must be on site whenever the place is open, and the backup who covers for them take an allergen awareness course and train the staff. Places that cook, prepare or serve food to eat right away need it; Boston asks for the certificate before the opening inspection.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed online
Renews
Every 5 years.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Cosmetic product facility registration (MoCRA)

U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationUS federal

Filed online in Cosmetics Direct by the facility that makes or processes the cosmetics.

Fee
Free
Filed
Filed online
Renews
Every two years.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Cosmetic product listing (MoCRA)

U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationUS federal

Filed online in Cosmetics Direct by the brand (the responsible person on the label), one listing per product.

Fee
Free
Filed
Filed online
Renews
Update every year.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Product safety certificate, filed electronically at entry

U.S. Consumer Product Safety CommissionUS federal

The importer issues the certificate itself (there is no government form) and, under the eFiling rule, files the certificate data with CBP at entry.

Fee
Free
Filed
Filed online

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Boston business certificate (DBA)

City of Boston, City ClerkBoston

Needed when the business trades under a name other than its legal name. Bring the notarized form, the signed lease and photo ID to City Hall, Room 601 (the clerk notarizes free), or mail them with a check; there is no online filing. An LLC or corporation registers with the Secretary of the Commonwealth first.

Fee
$65
Filed
Filed in person
Takes
Issued while you wait in person; 2 to 3 business days by mail.
Renews
Every 4 years from the first registration; the clerk mails a renewal letter.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Hazardous materials registration

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (DOT)US federal

Filed online when you ship or offer certain hazardous materials in bulk, such as large lithium battery shipments.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed online
Renews
Every year by June 30.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Food establishment plan review

City of Boston Inspectional Services, Health DivisionBoston

Needed to build a new place, renovate, change the layout, or add equipment or processes the menu calls for. Book the in-person review with ISD Health (617-635-5326, ISDHealth@boston.gov) and bring the worksheet, two scaled floor plans, NSF or UL equipment specs and the menu; then take the stamped plans to ISD's Building Division for the building permits.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed in person

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Common Victualler License

City of Boston Licensing BoardBoston

Needed to sell food made to order at a fixed place, seated or takeout. File on the Licensing Board's online form with the lease, a floor plan, each owner's personal information form and the wage theft form, once the Certificate of Occupancy is in hand. A new address, or hours outside 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., goes to a public hearing after the neighborhood process. ISD issues the food service permit only after this license.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed online
Takes
About 2 to 3 weeks; when a public hearing is needed, several weeks from filing to the hearing.
Renews
Every year, for the calendar year: renew online by October 31; a late renewal pays double.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Food service permit

City of Boston Inspectional Services, Health DivisionBoston

Email the application (with its workers' comp affidavit), the EIN and the food protection manager certificate to ISDHealth@boston.gov, or bring them to 1010 Massachusetts Ave, 4th floor. Before the opening inspection, which you book a few days ahead, have the allergen certificate, Certificate of Occupancy, Common Victualler License and paid fees ready.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Paper form, mailed
Takes
1 to 2 business days when the space isn't changing; after a build-out, the inspection is usually done within 1 business day of proof of every other approval.
Renews
Every year: the permit runs January 1 to December 31, and the renewal bill comes around the second week of November.

File on the agency's site How to fill it

Guides for each business in Boston

Agency requirements change. Check each agency's page before you file.

Get the plan for your business in Boston

This guide covers the city. Your exact address decides the county, the health district and the zoning. Placetta maps every filing for it, fills the official forms from your details, adds the deadlines and puts them up for your approval.

The full list for your address, in filing order
The official forms, filled line by line
Renewal and inspection reminders