Short answer: The City of Boston neither requires nor issues permits for street performers in public areas. Performing in MBTA subway stations needs a separate MBTA permit, and Faneuil Hall Marketplace is reported to pick its acts by audition.
Do you need a permit to busk in Boston?
| Permit needed? | No |
| Permit | none for city streets; MBTA Subway Performer Permit for stations |
| Cost | Free on city streets; MBTA permit $25 (money order only) |
| How to apply | No application for city streets; for the subway, book an in-person appointment with the MBTA's property manager (Greystone, 20 Park Plaza, Boston) and bring the form, two IDs, recent mail and the money order. |
| Regulated by | City of Boston Mayor's Office of Consumer Affairs and Licensing; MBTA for stations |
| Official page | boston.gov |
The rules in Boston
- Sound must not exceed 70 decibels at any time, or 50 decibels between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.
- Do not block ramps, doorways, emergency equipment or the flow of pedestrians.
- You may accept tips and sell recordings of your own performances.
- Performing is allowed on public sidewalks, walkways and parks as long as other city laws are followed.
- In the subway you must hold the MBTA permit, carry the badge and play only at signed performance areas.
Where buskers play in Boston
- Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Privately managed; acts are reported to be chosen by annual auditions and given scheduled slots.
- MBTA subway stations. MBTA permit and badge required; only at locations marked with signs.
- Downtown Crossing and Boston Common. Public areas covered by the city's no-permit rules and noise limits.
Stations and public transport
The MBTA runs a Subway Performers Program: a $25 permit and photo badge let you play at designated, signposted spots in stations.
Good to know
MBTA permits are posted out 10 to 14 days after the appointment, so a short-stay visitor may not get one in time.
Taking card tips on a Boston pitch
Whatever the permit position, the audience in Boston has the same problem as everywhere else: they liked it, and they have no coins. A QR code on a sign beside your case lets them tip in US dollars by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Visitors can pay with a card from home, and nobody needs an app.
- Print it large. A phone reads a code from about ten times its width, so a 10 cm code works from a metre and an A3 sign from about three.
- Stand it upright at knee to waist height, with your name and one line saying what it is for.
- Check the rules above on signs and selling. A tip sign is not a sale, but some cities restrict signs, and most treat CDs and merchandise separately.
- Playing as a group? One code can split every tip between the members automatically.
The full set-up, with sign sizes and pitch advice, is in how to set up a digital tip jar for busking.
Sources
Checked in October 2026. Rules and fees change, and enforcement varies from street to street, so confirm with City of Boston Mayor's Office of Consumer Affairs and Licensing; MBTA for stations before you play. This page is general information, not legal advice.
Common questions
Do you need a permit to busk in Boston?
The City of Boston neither requires nor issues permits for street performers in public areas. Performing in MBTA subway stations needs a separate MBTA permit, and Faneuil Hall Marketplace is reported to pick its acts by audition.
How much does it cost to busk in Boston?
Free on city streets; MBTA permit $25 (money order only).
Can buskers in Boston take card payments?
Yes. A printed QR code lets listeners tip in US dollars by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay from their own phone, with no card reader to carry or charge.