Listen up, dog lovers!
BOSTON – Thursday, May 4, 2023 – Today, Mayor Michelle Wu announced an effort to create dog-friendly spaces at beer gardens and outdoor restaurant patios across Boston. As Boston continues to become a more family-friendly and dog-friendly city, this new policy from the Inspectional Services Department’s Health Division will allow restaurants to create spaces where dog owners and their pets can be together. All restaurants and beer gardens with outdoor space in Boston can now apply for a “Dog Friendly Spaces” variance, and could be ready to welcome dogs and their owners as soon as June 1 if their application is approved by ISD.
This policy change is in response to feedback from Boston residents who have expressed interest in having their pets join them at outdoor businesses. Dog Friendly Spaces must be entirely outdoors, and establishments will be required to ensure that no food preparation is conducted in this space. A person who brings a pet dog to an outdoor dining area is responsible for the behavior of that pet dog, and the dog must be on a leash.
“We’re committed to making Boston a vibrant, family-friendly City, and that means rethinking our outdoor spaces to better build community,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Residents and small business owners have been eager for four-legged family members to be able to enjoy our outdoor spaces too, so we’re happy to make this regulatory change allowing dogs on outdoor patios and beer gardens.”
“Creating these safe and sanitary dog friendly spaces is an exciting opportunity for both businesses and dog owners. The interest for such an environment has been growing, so being able to create a new policy to accommodate all interested parties is great,” said Inspectional Services Department Commissioner Sean Lydon.
“This policy change will help us advance Mayor Wu’s vision of a city that supports its small businesses, turns our neighborhoods into destinations, and creates opportunities for more residents to engage each other later into the night,” said Segun Idowu, Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion. “I am grateful to the community members who shared feedback leading to this policy change, and to our partners in ISD for setting requirements that keep outdoor spaces safe and healthy while establishing a welcoming environment for our residents and visitors by allowing dog friendly spaces.”
Food service establishments must fill out an application, now available here, and receive a variance from Boston Inspectional Services Department prior to permitting patrons’ dogs on the premises. Applications will be processed as they come in. Once approved by ISD, restaurants and beer gardens can begin allowing dogs and their owners starting June 1, 2023.
“We’re thrilled about the City’s decision to welcome dogs in beer gardens and Aeronaut Allston is eager to embrace this policy change. Our passion for cultivating an engaging community space in Allston is only enhanced by the opportunity to include our guests’ furry friends,” said Ronn Friedlander, Cofounder of Aeronaut Brewing Co. “In recent years it has been disappointing to have to turn away customers who showed up with their dogs. This summer, thanks to this new policy, we’re excited to welcome dogs and their owners for live music, craft beer, food trucks, and the return of the much-loved Wall of Woof doggy photo display!”
“It means a lot to me to know that the city listened when I pointed out how upsetting it was that we created a new dog park, but still didn’t allow dogs in beer gardens or outdoor establishments in Boston,” said Laura Jillian Gray, an Allston resident. “It broke my heart to have to travel to nearby towns that were dog-friendly, because I didn’t feel welcome in my own neighborhood. With this new change to allow dogs, I can’t wait to enjoy this summer in Allston again!”
Inspectional Services Health Inspectors will provide outreach via handouts and host an online informational seminar on May 15, 2023 to help restaurants understand the requirements and rules of the new variance (details on the information session will be posted here). Restaurants looking to obtain a variance must adhere to all requirements. Failure to comply may result in a violation or revocation of the waiver. Email questions to the Health Division at [email protected] or call at (617) 635-5326.
About Inspectional Services
The Inspectional Services Department administers and enforces building, housing, health, sanitation, and safety regulations mandated by City and State governments.
We are made up of five regulatory divisions. Our goal is to protect and improve the quality of life for all Boston residents. Our mission is to serve the public by protecting the health, safety, and environmental stability of Boston’s business and residential communities. Learn about our work.
Maureen Dahill is the editor of Caught in Southie and a lifelong resident of South Boston sometimes mistaken for a yuppie. Co-host of Caught Up, storyteller, lover of red wine and binge watching TV series. Mrs. Peter G. Follow her @MaureenCaught.
I love how Maureen can give you the scoop in 800 words or less.
And even though I moved from Southie a couple of years back I still get my fix here.
BTW is Ottavio the Barber now around the P Street area?
He was in Perkins Sq before the building was sold right around the time the pandemic hit. he cut my hair even before that down the road at Tommy’s before Tommy moved the shop to Southie. After Tommy passed Otaavio took it over. I’ve known him since the ’60s, there’s a Southie story that needs to be told. He’s been cutting hair in Southie for 50 years. Just sayin’
Ottavio is down on West First Street!
Can I bring. Llama?
Great news!! This is overdue for the city of Boston.
Yuppies with Puppies SMH.
This is the best thing Wu has done so far. Taking away parking EVERYWHERE for outdoor food spaces that won’t allow a docile ten lb dog is ridiculous .
I’ll fogo “memory lane’.
It’s about time. I have friends across the pond and very pet friendly there.
What about a cat ? Yeah, I’m bringing a cat.,..noooo !
Pet discrimination lawsuit ??
And , how about a really menacing
Bull mastiff who has the urge ?
How many problems could be started between patrons ?
Think about it…one sneeze and it’ll be a covid issue blaming the dog, thus requiring intervention and a supervisory police presence.
Big dog night and pearl harbors , yeah, that’s the ticket !
The idea sounds good, but it ain’t.
It sounds like a revenue generator to me.
Good luck.
I’m bringing my Great Dane Irish Wolfound mix to let him canoodle with the poodles, and then lay down on the feet of some tight ass biochick from Jersey.
Quick question.. who’s responsible when one of these dogs bites someone is it the dog owners or the establishment that they are at.
If you want to see some real Darwin Award winners go watch the parents that allow their toddlers to run around in the middle of the leashless pack of overexcited dogs. Quite possibly the dumbest thing I’ve ever witnessed.