The Housing & Health division has multiple sections that handle different aspects of maintaining a healthy and efficient city. These sections or units include Air, Water & Hazmat, Body Art & Piercing, Food Protection, Housing, Lead Paint, Tanning Facility and Weights & Measures.
We encourage you to submit your application ONLINE through our permit portal!
Before you can submit an application for a permit or license you must create an account. For your convenience, payments can be made via all major credit cards or ACH transfer.
Air, Water & Hazardous Materials
The Air, Water, and Hazardous Material Division inspects public swimming pools, natural bathing areas, rDNA labs, responds to hazardous materials spills, and addresses complaints regarding air, noise, and odor pollution.
Permit/License Types
- 21e Records Search
- Public Bathing Beach
- Private Bathing Beach
- Day Camp
- Summer Recreational Camp
- Ice Skating Rink
- Public Pool
- Semi-Public Pool
- Special Pool/Spa
- rDNA Facility
- Disposal Works Installer
- Soil Percolation Test
- Plan Review for Septic System
- Disposal System Construction
- Abandoned Septic System
- Well Permit
Body Art & Piercing
Any person seeking a permit to practice body art in the City of Worcester must complete an application package. A practitioner must also have a valid CPR certificate, a valid First Aid certificate, a valid Blood Borne Pathogens certificate and a skin course.
First Aid and CPR Certifications will no longer be accepted if completed online. Classes must be taken in person.
Permit/License Types
- Operate a Body Art and Piercing Establishment
- Practice Body Art and Piercing
- Temporary Establishment for an Event
- Temporary/Visiting Practitioner
Food Protection
All food establishments are inspected to ensure compliance with the provisions contained within the Merged Food Code. Food Protection personnel monitor food offered for consumption to ensure that it is free from adulteration, properly labeled, identifiable and manufactured at an approved source.
In an effort to explain and to simplify the permitting process for the operation of a Food Service of Retail Food establishment within the City of Worcester, please use the below checklist as a tool to guide you through the permitting process. All food related businesses require licenses or permits and inspections prior to operation.
Permit/License Types
- 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
- Farmer's Market Annual • Guidelines
- Mobile Food Vendor • Requirements
- Seasonal Concessions
- Catered Events
- Temporary Food 1 - 15 Days • Help
- Temporary Food 16+ Days
Housing Program
The Housing Program seeks to gain compliance with the Massachusetts Sanitary Code, Minimum Standards of Fitness for Human Habitation as well as applicable local ordinances. Inspectors perform systematic inspections, respond to complaints, issue orders, address illegal dumping, register and inspect foreclosed and/or vacant buildings. In cases where compliance is not met, the department will pursue to resolve the matter in Housing Court.
Permit/License Types
- Clothing Donation Bin
- Hotel/Motel
- Mobile Home Park
- Portable Toilet (Port-a-Potty)
- Rendering Hauler
- Rubbish Hauler
- Septage Hauler
- Upper Blackstone WPAD
Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
Upon request of the tenant, the Lead Poisoning Prevention Program conducts environmental assessments to identify possible lead paint hazards and violations where a child under the age of six resides.
You may use the following applications. Include your phone number, sign, date and send along with the appropriate documents to the email address or fax number on this page.
You may also mail your application to the Housing/Health Division, however we recommend you follow up to ensure that it was received and that only copies of the original documents are mailed.
Please contact our office with any questions at 508-799-1198.
Note: Properties that are cited for lead paint violations are provided with information from the Division of Neighborhood and Housing Development regarding the Worcester Lead Abatement Program (WLAP).
Tanning Facility
Any person seeking to operate a tanning facility in the City of Worcester must complete an application package.
Permit/License Types
- Operate a Tanning Facility
Weights and Measures Program
The Weights and Measures program ensures all weighing or measuring devices in the city are inspected and sealed from tampering. This consumer protection unit certifies that your daily interactions at locations such as gas pumps, scales and scanners are operating correctly.
Measuring Devices
Look for the Weights and Measures Seal which is usually placed on weighing or measuring equipment showing that the equipment was tested and found correct.
- Scales
- Weights
- Capacity Measures
- Liquid Measure Meters
- Pumps
- Other Devices (Pill Counter, Taxi Meters, etc.)
Contact Information
Address
Housing and Health Inspections
25 Meade Street
Worcester, MA 01610
Contact
Phone: 508-799-1198
Fax: 508-799-8544
Email Us
Hours
Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.