Boston will begin enforcing a new ordinance regulating third-party food delivery companies on Saturday, just over a year after the City Council approved the rules requiring major apps to obtain permits and meet safety requirements.City officials said the ordinance is designed to address safety concerns tied to the rapid growth of food delivery services and their impact on Boston streets. It will also provide officials with data about deliveries for the first time.Data collected under the ordinance will include information on vehicle types, delivery locations and trip timing, which officials said will help better understand how deliveries affect traffic and safety.Enforcement responsibilities belong to the Boston Police Department. Video below: Ordinance approvedBoston’s Road Safety and Accountability for Delivery Providers Ordinance was passed by the City Council on April 2, 2025. It requires companies such as DoorDash, Uber Eats and Grubhub to hold a city-issued permit, provide proof of insurance and share data about deliveries with the Boston Transportation Department, according to the city of Boston.Before the measure even took effect, councilors considered amending the policy. A proposal considered earlier this week would have completely prohibited certain two-wheel and low-speed vehicles, but faced concerns about moving too quickly. Boston Director of Parking and Curbside Management Mia Capone urged councilors to allow the existing ordinance to take effect first and then enforce it through penalties on companies, according to her testimony at the hearing.The policy follows a 2024 letter from city leaders and Boston police citing “a major increase in dangerous and unlawful behavior by delivery drivers” and warning of increased enforcement.Boston police are expected to continue enforcing traffic laws alongside the new requirements, which aim to discourage reckless driving tied to delivery activity, according to the city of Boston.
Boston will begin enforcing a new ordinance regulating third-party food delivery companies on Saturday, just over a year after the City Council approved the rules requiring major apps to obtain permits and meet safety requirements.
City officials said the ordinance is designed to address safety concerns tied to the rapid growth of food delivery services and their impact on Boston streets. It will also provide officials with data about deliveries for the first time.
Data collected under the ordinance will include information on vehicle types, delivery locations and trip timing, which officials said will help better understand how deliveries affect traffic and safety.
Enforcement responsibilities belong to the Boston Police Department.
Video below: Ordinance approved
Boston’s Road Safety and Accountability for Delivery Providers Ordinance was passed by the City Council on April 2, 2025. It requires companies such as DoorDash, Uber Eats and Grubhub to hold a city-issued permit, provide proof of insurance and share data about deliveries with the Boston Transportation Department, according to the city of Boston.
Before the measure even took effect, councilors considered amending the policy. A proposal considered earlier this week would have completely prohibited certain two-wheel and low-speed vehicles, but faced concerns about moving too quickly.
Boston Director of Parking and Curbside Management Mia Capone urged councilors to allow the existing ordinance to take effect first and then enforce it through penalties on companies, according to her testimony at the hearing.
The policy follows a 2024 letter from city leaders and Boston police citing “a major increase in dangerous and unlawful behavior by delivery drivers” and warning of increased enforcement.
Boston police are expected to continue enforcing traffic laws alongside the new requirements, which aim to discourage reckless driving tied to delivery activity, according to the city of Boston.
