License Applications & Regulations (Select Board)

All new license applications must be submitted either in-person or by mail at:
Select Board's Office, Town Hall
333 Washington St., 6th Floor
Brookline, MA 02445

Most of the licenses below require the following forms:

• Interview form (PDF) (submit with 3 letters of reference)
• Vote of corporation (PDF) (if applicable, interview forms needed for each board member)
• Renovation form (PDF) (if making major changes to the premises)
• State tax verification form (PDF)

Antiques

Antiques License Application

Auctions

Applicants are also required to have fingerprint-based CORI checks.

• Special Auctioneer Permit
• CORI Acknowledgement & Fingerprinting Policy (PDF)

Block Party/Road Closure

Applicants need to submit the application two weeks prior to the event. Organizers should properly notify neighbors before submitting an application.

Block Party/Road Closure Application (PDF)

For Block Parties, please also obtain:

• If you are using a gas grill, please obtain a Liquid Propane (LP) Gas Use and Storage Permit from the Fire Department.
• If you are serving catered food (for example, from a restaurant or catering service) please obtain a "Temporary Food Application" from the Health Department, NOT a "Catering Food Application."
  Note: You do not need a food permit for 'potluck'-style events where neighbors bring food themselves. For 'potlucks,' please see the state's Potluck Events Advisory.

Common Victualler

Prepared Food Sales Licensing Regulations (PDF)

Existing License Holders

• Change in DBA (PDF)
• Change in hours (PDF)

Renewals: License holders will receive renewal paperwork from the Select Board's Office before expiration.

New Applicants

All applications must be delivered in-person or by mail to the address at the top of the page.

• Common Victualler License Application (PDF)
• CORI Acknowledgement & Fingerprinting Policy (PDF)

In addition to the application and forms above, attach a litter plan to your application. Please include:

• Trash disposal plan
• Name of trash disposal business (if applicable)

Helpful Links

• Establishments must also have a Business Certificate from the Town Clerk's office.
• A Guide to Opening a Food Establishment (PDF) in the Town of Brookline.
• Sign By-Law Guidelines (PDF)

Entertainment

Submit the entertainment application (PDF) for a license to hold the following types of entertainment:

• Radio and taped music
• Coin-operated amusement devices (also submit a Coin-Operated Amusement Devices Application (PDF))
• All other forms of entertainment

Note: The state also requires an additional license for live music on Sundays.

Estate Sales

• Estate Sales Application (PDF)

Food Vendor

• Food Vendor Application (PDF) (take-out, no inside seating)
• Mobile Food Vendor Application (PDF) (including ice cream trucks)
  • Also fill out CORI Acknowledgement & Fingerprinting Policy (PDF)
  • Mobile Food Vendor Regulations (PDF)
• Prepared Food Sales Licensing Regulations (PDF)

Inflammables License

License to store flammable items on your property.

Inflammables License Application (PDF)

You must also contact the Building Department and Fire Department.

Innholder License (Hotels)

Innholder Licenses cover traditional shorter-term rentals like hotels. For services like AirBNB and Vrbo, see Short-Term Rentals. For longer-term rentals, see Lodging House licenses below.

• Innholder's License Application (PDF)
• Prepared Food Sales Licensing Regulations (PDF)

Liquor Licenses

Applications

Liquor license applications, with the exception of temporary licenses, are initiated at the Alcohol Beverages Control Commission's (ABCC's) website. A copy of that application will also need to be submitted to this office for further processing. Applicants are also required to have fingerprint-based CORI checks in Brookline, in addition to the state checks.

• CORI Acknowledgement & Fingerprinting Policy (PDF)
• Sale of Alcoholic Beverages Regulations (PDF)
• BYOB Regulations (PDF) (for businesses without a liquor license)

Other Forms

• Change in Manager Application
• Alternate Manager Application
• Change in hours (PDF)

Lodging House

Lodging House Licenses cover some traditional longer-term rentals like dormitories, fraternity houses and rehabilitation centers. For services like AirBNB and Vrbo, see Short-Term Rentals. For traditional shorter-term rentals like hotels, see Innholders Licenses above.

• Lodging House License Application (PDF)
• Change of Lodging House Agent (PDF)
• Lodging House Regulations (PDF)

Open Air Parking Spaces

• Open Air Parking Spot License Application (PDF) (for the proprietor of a rentable open-air parking spot. To rent an existing an open-air spot, call the numbers on the list below).
• List of Rentable Open-Air Parking Spaces (PDF).

Outdoor Dining

See our Outdoor Dining Program page.

Secondhand License Application

Applicants are also required to have fingerprint-based CORI checks.

• Secondhand License Application
• CORI Acknowledgement & Fingerprinting Policy (PDF)

Secondhand Motor Vehicles Application

Applicants are also required to have fingerprint-based CORI checks.

• Secondhand Motor Vehicle License Application
• CORI Acknowledgement & Fingerprinting Policy (PDF)

Yard Sale

• Yard Sale Application (PDF)