Boston now requires food delivery companies to operate with a permit

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Boston’s City Council has passed a bill requiring third-party delivery companies to acquire new city permits and insurance coverage for their delivery drivers.

The ordinance was first filed in February by city Mayor Michelle Wu following resident concerns over illegal parking, dangerous driving, and increased traffic congestion.

The amended legislation, which was passed last week in an 11-2 vote by the Boston City Council, not only requires companies like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub to acquire these new permits but also mandates that delivery companies acquire additional insurance coverage to protect those involved with crashes with delivery drivers and to submit safety data to the city’s transportation department.

“For far too long, third-party delivery platforms have operated in Boston as if the rules don’t apply to them,” District 8 city councilor Sharon Durkan said during last week’s vote. “Their business models prioritize speed and profits over safety and accountability, leaving residents, pedestrians, and even their own drivers to deal with the consequences of reckless and lawless behavior on our streets.”

The new requirements will go into effect in January 2026, and failure to comply will result in a $300 fine per restaurant order.

According to the Boston Globe, the amended bill omitted a controversial 15-cent delivery fee that was tacked on to enforce safety and infrastructure improvements. The fee was removed due to concerns that the increased costs for the delivery companies would be passed on to the consumer.

While food delivery companies were relieved that Boston removed the 15-cent delivery fee, they still raised questions.

“Hundreds of Boston customers, Dashers, and merchants made their voices heard loud and clear about some of the consequences that this ordinance could have had, and we’re glad the council listened to their warning,” a DoorDash spokesperson told the Boston Globe.

A Grubhub spokesperson also voiced approval of the fee removal, but said, “While we still have concerns about the ordinance’s approach to street safety and its potential impact on delivery costs, we remain committed to working with lawmakers on comprehensive solutions.”

The ordinance is now headed to Wu’s desk for signing.

Contact Joanna at [email protected]

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