Health Department

• Fee schedule
• Body Art Establishment Application & Body Art Practitioner Application
  • CORI form and SORI form
  • Body Art Apprenticeship Practitioner Application, Body Art Apprenticeship Disclosure, Body Art Apprentice Task Sheet
  • Permanent Cosmetics Practitioner Application and Permanent Cosmetics Establishment Application
  • Body Art Regulations
• Permit for a Food Establishment (All)

  • Food Employee Health Reporting Agreements

    • English

    • Arabic

    • Chinese

    • Portuguese

    • Haitian Creole

    • Korean

    • Russian

    • Spanish

    • Vietnamese

  • Plan Review Application

  • Farmers Market Vendor Permit

  • Temporary Food Permit Application

  • Seasonal Food Permit

• Licensed Haulers List (PDF)

  • Grease Trap Regulations

  • Dumpster Permits

    • Temporary Dumpster

    • Permanent Dumpster

  • Portable Sanitation Unit Permit (Porta-Potty)

  • Removal and Transport Trash and/or Septic, Offal, Medical Waste and Grease Rendering for Disposal

• Permit to Operate a Recreational Camp for Children and Camp Inspection Form

• Lodging Facility Permit 

• Permit for a Certificate of Fitness (Compliance) Inspection

• Tobacco Sales/Location Permit (also see Medford’s Tobacco Regulations- PDF)

• Application to Operate a Tanning Facility 

• Swimming Pool Operation Application

• Ice Rinks Renewal Application

• Massage Practitioner/Establishment License
• Well Permit Regulations and Well Permit Application
• BioSafety Low Risk Facility Registration Application and BioSafety Lab and Facility Permit Application
• High Risk Biological Permits
• Low Risk Biological Permits

Food Code - https://www.mass.gov/doc/105-cmr-590-state-sanitary-code-chapter-x-minimum-sanitation-standards-for-food-establishments/download

Housing Code - https://www.mass.gov/doc/105-cmr-410-state-sanitary-code-chapter-ii-minimum-standards-of-fitness-for-human-habitation/download

Residential Kitchen - https://www.mass.gov/doc/retail-food-code-standards-for-permitted-residential-kitchens-040119/download

Recreational Camps - https://www.mass.gov/doc/105-cmr-430-minimum-standards-for-recreational-camps-for-children-state-sanitary-code-chapter/download

Pools - https://www.mass.gov/doc/105-cmr-435-state-sanitary-code-chapter-v-sanitary-standards-for-swimming-pools/download

Body Art - https://www.mass.gov/doc/body-art-establishments-model-regulations/download

Hazardous Waste - https://www.mass.gov/doc/310-cmr-30000-hazardous-waste-regulations/download

Septic -  https://www.mass.gov/doc/310-cmr-15000-title-5-of-the-state-environmental-code/download

Bathing Beaches - https://www.mass.gov/doc/105-cmr-445-state-sanitary-code-chapter-vii-minimum-standards-for-bathing-beaches/download

Solid Waste (DEP) - https://www.mass.gov/doc/310-cmr-1600-site-assignment-for-solid-waste-facilities/download

Solid Waste Management - https://www.mass.gov/doc/310-cmr-19000-solid-waste-management-facility-regulations/download

The City of Medford enforces ordinances to ensure preventative methods to curb stomp varies public health concerns.

Some of these ordnances and regulations include

• BioSafety Lab Regulations
• Thin-Film Plastic Bags Ordinance
• Minimum Standards for Food Establishments 
• Ice Cream Truck/Mobile Unit Vending 
• Minimum Standard of Fitness for Human Habitation 
• Minimum Standards for Recreational Camps for Children 
• Solid Waste Removal/Septic/Offal/Medical Waste/Grease Rendering, Transportation and Dumpster Permitting & Operation Regulations 
• Dumpster Regulations/Licensing of Dumpsters 
• Body Art (Body Piercing, Tattooing & Branding/Scarification) Establishments 
• Massage Establishments & Massage Therapists/Practitioners 
• Well Installation, Use and Maintenance of Private Wells 
• Demolition and Removal of Buildings 
• Construction, Renovation and Conversion Requirements 
• Nuisances Affecting Public Health 
• Minimum Standards for Bathing Beaches 
• Keeping of Miniature Pot-Bellied Pigs as Domestic Pets 
• Portable Sanitation Units (Portable Toilets/Temporary Septic) 
• Restricting the Sale and Use of Tobacco and Nicotine Delivery Products to Minors, the Workplace and Municipal Properties 
• Restricting the Sale of Tobacco Related Products
• Prohibition on the Use of Polystyrene Based Disposable Food Containers
• Rodent Control for Dumpsters

The City of Medford partakes in various inspectional services. The services are visual examinations of readily accessible establishments that include:

• Food Establishments (restaurants, mobile food services, residential kitchens, convenient stores, etc.)
• Burial permits
• Swimming Pools (public and semi-public)
• Tanning Salons
• Body Art Establishments/Practitioners/Apprenticeship
• Permanent Cosmetics Establishment/Practitioners/Apprenticeship
• Transportation of Wastes
• Dumpster/Trash Areas
• Private Sewage Disposal
• Sewage Treatment: MA DEP Title 5 Regulations (310 CMR 15)
• Schools: Public/Private
• Recreational Camps for Children
• Wells

Some of our Environmental Control includes:

• Bathing Beach Waste Testing
• Insect and Rodent Control
• Indoor Air Quality
• Water Pollution
• Hazardous Waste Monitoring
• Mosquito Control
• Environmental Health Advice and Education
• Right-to-Know (MSDS) Assistance
• Consultation and Information on Environmental Issues

The Health Department also enforces:

• State and Local Housing Regulations
  • Tenant Occupancy
  • Public Buildings, dormitories, rooming houses
  • Abrasive blasting of paint
• Issue Certificates of Habitability (enforce state housing codes when needed)
• Enforce State Lead Laws and Lead Abatement
• Respond to all Complaints regarding Housing Violations
• Provide Inspections for the Presence of Asbestos and Assess its Conditions and Instruct Owners on Proper Abatement Procedures
• Wells
• MA General Law Chapter 111, Section 122, Investigate and Require the Elimination of Nuisances or Sources of Filth on Land or in our Water. This Law can be Broadly Interpreted but is Reserved for those Situations where a strong Odor, Large Number of Debris or other Hazardous Conditions Exists

The City of Medford takes the concerns of the public very seriously. Below is a listing of some concerns that may arise for Residents:

Lead & Mercury Information

• Center for Disease Control Lead Information 
• Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program 
• EPA The National Lead Info Center 
• Lead in Drinking Water 

Mercury-bearing items (thermometers, etc.) batteries, cell phones. CF bulbs, fluorescent tubes (tubes limited to 4 and 4FT long only) may be recycled at City Hall Room 304 – Department of Public Works (DPW).

If broken, please call DPW 781-393-2417 so that we can schedule to have it picked up.

More Resources:

• https://www.mass.gov/
• https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-department-of-environmental-protection
• https://www.epa.gov/
• https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-department-of-energy-resources
• https://www.mass.gov/orgs/executive-office-of-health-and-human-services

West Nile Virus / EEE

• Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Information 
• Mosquito Information (https://www.mass.gov/mosquito-borne-diseases) (https://www.mass.gov/service-details/mosquito-repellents) (https://www.mass.gov/service-details/mosquito-control-and-spraying) (https://www.mass.gov/orgs/mosquito-control-for-the-twenty-first-century-task-force) (https://www.mass.gov/guides/eee-in-massachusetts)
• Tick Information (https://www.mass.gov/info-details/tick-borne-disease-prevention) (https://www.mass.gov/tick-borne-diseases) (https://www.mass.gov/mosquitoes-and-ticks)(https://www.mass.gov/service-details/tick-repellents)

Tobacco Control

The City of Medford enforces a no smoking ordinance (municipal buildings, schools, restaurants and workplaces).

• Permit Tobacco Sales
• Educational Programs and Materials
• Merchant Training
• Referral for Cessation Programs
• Smoke-Free Homes 
• MA Tobacco Cessation & Prevention Program 
• Guide to Quitting Smoking 
• Facts on Smoking
• BOH Tobacco Regulations 

Substance Use Prevention

• Finding Help for Substance Use Disorders Resource Guide
• Mystic Valley Public Health Coalition 

Additional Resources

• CDC’s National Center for Enviornmental Health (NCEH) 
• Centers for Disease Control 
• Emergency Preparedness Guide (https://www.ready.gov/) (https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/national-preparedness/plan)
• Earthquake Preparedness 
• Environmental Protection Agency 
• MA Department of Public Health 
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 

Monetary Assistance

• American Families Plan 
• Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) 

Non-Monetary Assistance

• Small Business Strong 
• COVID-19 Small Business Stabilization Network 

Layoff Aversion

• Department of Unemployment Assistance 
• MassHire Workforce System 

 

Scope of Services

Health Surveillance, Reporting and Treatment

• Communicable disease control, surveillance and information
• TB testing and surveillance
• Annual flu immunization program
• Immunization clinics
• Distribution site for state provided vaccine to Medford physicians in the program
• Health statistics
• Community health assessment
• Disease cluster investigation

School Health (Private)

• School entry requirements – immunizations, physical exams, etc.
• Health services (illness, first aid and emergency care)
• Mandated programs: Hearing and vision screening; Scoliosis screening; Immunization compliance
• Pediculosis (head lice) control assistance
• Special health needs assistance
• Public Health/School Physician provides physical examination to indigent children, advises the school district and school nurses on health matters and policies, and reviews policies for the school nurses.

Useful Links

Diabetes
MA Diabetes Prevention and Control Program
CDC Diabetes Public Health Resource
American Diabetes Association

Hepatitis A
MA Health and Human Services information

Hepatitis B
CDC Hepatitis Information

Hepatitis C
MA Health and Human Services Information
CDC Hepatitis Information

Seasonal Flu, Avian Flu and Pandemic Flu
MA Health and Human Services Information
CDC Flu Information

If you or someone you know needs assistance or support, click here.

Additional resources:

• Medford’s COVID-19 Information Webpage
• Medford Vaccination Rates Data
• Medford Case Counts
• Housing Resources
• Business Resources
• Food Resources
• Support & Recovery Resources

COVID-19 Rapid Tests are available throughout the city. Locations include City Hall, Council on Aging, Medford Public Library, Medford Housing Authority, Mystic Community Market, and West Medford Community Center.

The City of Medford is following the latest CDC guidance for residents who test positive for COVID. For the latest guidance please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html

For vaccine locations and eligibility visit: https://vaxfinder.mass.gov/

For digital version for your vaccine card emailed or texted to you visit: www.myvaxrecords.mass.gov

For more information on COVID-19 please visit: https://www.mass.gov/covid-19-updates-and-information

The City of Medford will receive over $830,000 from a settlement of a statewide class action lawsuit filed by Attorney General Maura Healy against opioid distributors and manufacturers. Paid out over an 18-year period, the administration will use these funds to mitigate the effects of addiction, focusing on prevention, intervention, and supporting those in recovery.

Next steps of using the settlement funds include:

1. Establish role of the Prepare Prevent Promote Behavioral health commission.
2. Solicit feedback from the community:

• Listening sessions (2-3)
• Survey

3. Prepare a plan based on feedback
4. Present to City Council for approval
5. Reporting to state on use of funds year to year

Learn more:

• Medford Opioid Settlement Presentation

• Medford to Receive Over $830K as Part of State Attorney General’s Lawsuit Against Opioid Manufacturers

• Notice of Occupants’ Legal Rights and Responsibilities
• Guidance on Housing Code Temperature Requirements
• Guidance on Submetering of Water and Sewer
• Submetering of Water and Sewer Certification Form
• Guidance on Excess Moisture Control and Mold – Occupants Fact Sheet
• Guidance on Excess Moisture Control and Mold – Owners Fact Sheet
• Pest Control Guidance for Occupants – Occupants Fact Sheet
• Pest Control Guidance for Owners – Owners Fact Sheet