City of Boston - TRAC Frequently Asked Questions

In May 2004, the City of Boston enacted an ordinance requiring any vessel moored in Boston to obtain a mooring permit from the Harbormaster. With national security on everyone’s mind these days, closely monitoring activities within our harbor has become a top priority for law enforcement agencies.

How is the valuation of boats determined?

We follow guidelines set by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (refer to MGL Chapter 60B) as shown below. Boats are taxed at a rate of ten dollars ($10) per thousand of valuation.

LENGTH OF VESSEL	VALUATIONS OF VESSELS
(Overall center line length excluding bowsprits, boomkins and similar extensions)	(based on age of vessel)

	Under 4 Years of age	4 thru 6 Years of age	7 or More Years of age
Under 16 ft.	$1,000	$700	$400
16 ft. but less than 17.5 ft.	$1,500	$1,000	$800
17.5 ft. but less than 20 ft.	$3,000	$2,000	$1,500
20 ft. but less than 22.5 ft.	$5,000	$3,300	$2,500
22.5 ft. but less than 25 ft.	$7,500	$5,000	$3,800
25 ft. but less than 27.5 ft.	$10,500	$7,000	$5,300
27.5 ft. but less than 30 ft.	$14,000	$9,300	$7,000
30 ft. but less than 35 ft.	$18,500	$12,300	$9,300
35 ft. but less than 40 ft.	$24,000	$16,000	$12,000
40 ft. but less than 50 ft.	$31,500	$21,000	$15,800
50 ft. but less than 60 ft.	$41,000	$27,300	$20,500
60 ft. or over	$50,000	$33,000	$24,800

What happens if I moor my boat without a permit?

Your boat will be removed from the harbor and stored at your expense in a designated area by the Harbormaster.

I need to apply for a mooring permit. What do I do?

In order to obtain a mooring permit, a boat owner must show proof that he/she paid their 2008 boat excise tax bill. Boat excise tax bills can be paid online at: www.cityofboston.gov/boats/mooring.

This is my first time mooring my boat in Boston. How do I get a mooring permit?

You can apply for a mooring permit online at: www.cityofboston.gov/boats/mooring.

I just purchased my boat. How do I get a mooring permit?

You can apply for a mooring permit online at: www.cityofboston.gov/boats/mooring.

How do I obtain a mooring permit?

In order to obtain a mooring permit, a boat owner must show proof that he/she paid their 2008 boat excise tax bill. Boat excise tax bills can be paid online at: www.cityofboston.gov/boats/mooring.

I have not paid my 2008 excise tax bill.
How can I pay my bill?

You can pay your bill online at: www.cityofboston.gov/boats or make a check out to the City of Boston, and mail to City of Boston, P. O. Box 55809, Boston, MA 02205. You can also come into City Hall to pay your bill. Please note that a mooring permit application still needs to be filed if your boat is moored in Boston. Once your check clears the bank and a mooring permit application is duly filed, a mooring permit will be mailed to your residence.

What happens if I do not pay my boat excise tax bill?

You will be denied a mooring permit.

I paid my boat excise tax bill in XYZ town. Why I am receiving a bill from Boston?

Please send us proof that you paid the bill in XYZ town.

I did not get a bill. How can I get a bill sent to me so that I can apply for a mooring permit?

Call the Taxpayer Referral & Assistance Center (TRAC) at (617) 635-4287 to see if a boat excise tax bill has been issued. If not, contact the Collector's office at (617) 635-4131 or visit City Hall mezzanine floor, Window (31) to have a boat excise tax bill issued.

How do you determine who gets billed?

At the end of each fiscal year we receive a list of boat owners who registered their boats in that fiscal year. We also receive a list of documented boats (a national form of registration) from the US Coast Guard. We use both lists to generate boat excise tax bills.

How do you make sure that everyone who moors a boat in Boston pays excise tax?

Apart from security reasons, the new mooring permit process was put in place to ensure that anyone who moors his/her boat in Boston pays an excise tax bill.

Who should I contact if I have other questions?

If you have technical questions about the online permit application, please contact the Webmaster at OnlinePayments@cityofboston.gov (regarding technical issues while completing the online application).

If you have questions or concerns about the receipt of your payment, please contact Treasury at Treasury@cityofboston.gov

If you have questions about a mooring location assignment, please contact the Harbor Master at Moorings.bpd@ci.boston.ma.us

If you have general questions about the mooring permit ordinance/application, please contact the Taxpayer Referral and Assistance Center via the Assessing Contact Form here.

Search: