Permits & Licensing

Regulations & Requirements

To learn more about the regulations and requirements associated with each permit or license, please click on the respective link below:

For information on all city permits, licenses and fees, visit Permit Center

• Automatic Amusement

  N/A

  Title: Automatic Amusement

  Fee: N/A

    
×
License Commission
• Automotive Dealers License (Class I, II, III)

  100.00

  Title: Automotive Dealers License (Class I, II, III)

  Fee: 100.00

    
×
Police Department
• Automotive Establishment License

  see notes

  Title: Automotive Establishment License

  Fee: see notes

    
×
Fire Department
The Ordinance of the City of Worcester Chapter 10, Section 7 states that no person shall operate any garage, auto repair garage, auto body facility, auto body or spray booth and lubritoriums without an annual license issued by the fire chief. Please view the linked PDF for a checklist and explanation of fees.
• Christmas Tree (Sales) Permit

  50.00

  Title: Christmas Tree (Sales) Permit

  Fee: 50.00

    
×
Fire Department
A Christmas tree permit is issued for the storage and sale of natural, cut Christmas trees, wreaths, and holly.
Restrictions: Not to be sold within (50) feet of any building used for habitation; not to be stored inside of gasoline service stations and to be kept away from gasoline pumps; must have a fire extinguisher on hand.
Permit expires in 30 days or on December 26th of the same year.
• Common Victualer (Food) License

  100.00

  Title: Common Victualer (Food) License

  Fee: 100.00

    
×
License Commission
For new license or transfer of license.
• Dumpster/Rubbish Container Permit - Permanent (Renewable)

  see notes

  Title: Dumpster/Rubbish Container Permit - Permanent (Renewable)

  Fee: see notes

    
×
Fire Department
Any dumpster 6 yards or more needs a permit in accordance with 527 CMR. A permit is not required for dumpsters that will be delivered and removed from a location on the same business day. Permit is valid for one (1) year from date of issue. Permanent dumpster permits are renewable annually.
Exceptions:
• Containers holding only non-combustible materials, such as scrap metal or concrete.
• Containers dropped off and removed from the site at the end of every work day.
Fee: $25 per container and $10 for each additional container on a particular site.
For metal containers to be placed on a public street, please contact the Worcester DPW for additional permitting information.
• Dumpster/Rubbish Container Permit - Temporary

  see notes

  Title: Dumpster/Rubbish Container Permit - Temporary

  Fee: see notes

    
×
Fire Department
Any dumpster 6 yards or more needs a permit in accordance with 527 CMR. A permit is not required for dumpsters that will be delivered and removed from a location on the same business day. Permit is valid for one (1) year from date of issue.
Exceptions:
• Containers holding only non-combustible materials, such as scrap metal or concrete.
• Containers dropped off and removed from the site at the end of every work day.
Fee: $25 per container and $10 for each additional container on a particular site.
For metal containers to be placed on a public street, please contact the Worcester DPW for additional permitting information.
• Entertainment License

  see notes

  Title: Entertainment License

  Fee: see notes

    
×
License Commission
No fee for Monday through Saturday; Sunday license requires fee of $50 to City of Worcester, $100 to Commonwealth of MA.
• Farmer's Market License

  see notes

  Title: Farmer's Market License

  Fee: see notes

    
×
Inspectional Services
• Farmer's Market Annual • Guidelines
Schedule of Fees
• Food Establishment License

  see notes

  Title: Food Establishment License

  Fee: see notes

    
×
Inspectional Services
All food permits include Milk and Frozen Dessert
• Bakery
• Bottling Plant
• Commissary Kitchen
• Food & Drink Est 1 - 100
• Food & Drink Est 101 - 499
• Food & Drink Est 500+
• Institutional
• Public School
• Retail / Bakery / Restaurant
• Retail Food Only
• Retail over 10,000 Sq. Ft.
• Retail with Bakery
Food permits expire on December 31st annually!
Schedule of Fees
• Fortune Teller License

  10.00

  Title: Fortune Teller License

  Fee: 10.00

    
×
Police Department
• Keep and Display Exotic Animals/Operate a Pet Store Permit

  50.00

  Title: Keep and Display Exotic Animals/Operate a Pet Store Permit

  Fee: 50.00

    
×
Police Department
• Lodging House (New or Renewal)

  see notes

  Title: Lodging House (New or Renewal)

  Fee: see notes

    
×
License Commission
$25 filing fee and $50 license fee.
• Mobile Food Vendor License

  see notes

  Title: Mobile Food Vendor License

  Fee: see notes

    
×
Inspectional Services
• Mobile Food Vendor • Requirements • Questionnaire
Schedule of Fees
• Newsracks on Public Ways, Placement

  1.00

  Title: Newsracks on Public Ways, Placement

  Fee: 1.00

    
×
License Commission
• One Day Entertainment License

  N/A

  Title: One Day Entertainment License

  Fee: N/A

    
×
License Commission
• Operate a Body Art and Piercing Establishment

  225.00

  Title: Operate a Body Art and Piercing Establishment

  Fee: 225.00

    
×
Inspectional Services
• Operate a Tanning Facility License

  200.00

  Title: Operate a Tanning Facility License

  Fee: 200.00

    
×
Inspectional Services
Expires June 30th Annually
• Outdoor Dining on Public Sidewalk Permit

  see notes

  Title: Outdoor Dining on Public Sidewalk Permit

  Fee: see notes

    
×
Public Works and Parks
Outdoor dining on a public sidewalk is not allowed without the prior written approval of both the Department of Public Works and Parks, and the License Commission.
Learn More
• Parking Lot License

  see notes

  Title: Parking Lot License

  Fee: see notes

    
×
License Commission
Contact License Commission staff for calculation of fee.
• Pawn Broker License

  100.00

  Title: Pawn Broker License

  Fee: 100.00

    
×
Police Department
• Pool Table/Bowling Alley

  N/A

  Title: Pool Table/Bowling Alley

  Fee: N/A

    
×
License Commission
• Practice Body Art and Piercing

  100.00

  Title: Practice Body Art and Piercing

  Fee: 100.00

    
×
Inspectional Services
• Registration for Catering

  see notes

  Title: Registration for Catering

  Fee: see notes

    
×
Inspectional Services
Catered Event Registration - $40.00
Plan Review Fee (new establishment) - $200.00
Establishment Review Fee (change of owners) - $85.00
Re-Inspection Fee - $100.00
Reopening Review Fee after Closure Order - $150.00
• Retail Marijuana

  see notes

  Title: Retail Marijuana

  Fee: see notes

    
×
License Commission
• $100 Initial Filing & Advertising Fee, $50 Annual Renewal
• $2,750 Annual License Fee
• Second Hand Articles License

  100.00

  Title: Second Hand Articles License

  Fee: 100.00

    
×
Police Department
• Sell Tobacco Products Permit

  250.00

  Title: Sell Tobacco Products Permit

  Fee: 250.00

    
×
Public Health
• Sidewalk Café / Outdoor Dining License

  N/A

  Title: Sidewalk Café / Outdoor Dining License

  Fee: N/A

    
×
Public Works and Parks
• Solicit and Canvas License

  10.00

  Title: Solicit and Canvas License

  Fee: 10.00

    
×
Police Department
• Special Permit - Adult Use Marijuana

  see notes

  Title: Special Permit - Adult Use Marijuana

  Fee: see notes

    
×
Planning Board
Appropriate fee according to the most updated Fee Schedule. Please make checks payable to
the City of Worcester.
• Taxi-Livery Driver License

  25.00

  Title: Taxi-Livery Driver License

  Fee: 25.00

    
×
Police Department
• Taxi-Livery Owner License

  100.00

  Title: Taxi-Livery Owner License

  Fee: 100.00

    
×
Police Department
• Temporary / Visiting Body Art Practitioner

  50.00

  Title: Temporary / Visiting Body Art Practitioner

  Fee: 50.00

    
×
Inspectional Services
• Temporary Food License

  see notes

  Title: Temporary Food License

  Fee: see notes

    
×
Inspectional Services
• Seasonal Concessions
• Catered Events
• Temporary Food 1 - 15 Days • Help
• Temporary Food 16+ Days
Schedule of Fees