Perhaps more than any other American city, Boston has a wealth of historic cultural resources. These are the buildings, structures, sites, and areas that inform us about who lived and worked in Boston and what events have shaped the city from its beginning to the present.

The Boston Landmarks Commission (BLC) functions in conjunction with the local Historic District Commissions as the City's stewards of Boston's historic buildings, places, and neighborhoods. There are more than 7,000 properties located within seven local Historic Districts or designated as individual Boston Landmarks. The City's preservation commissions, all headquartered within the Environment Department, provide information and assistance concerning the regulatory process, preservation planning, archaeology, sources for historical information, and technical assistance.

This website is provided as a service to those interested in Boston's historic buildings, districts, and sites. It is not a substitute for the advice of staff, nor is it a substitute for formal review of an application by a preservation commission, as required by law.

Jurisdiction and Mission
In 1975, state legislation (Chapter 772, M.G.L. 1975 as amended) created the Boston Landmarks Commission as Boston's city-wide historic preservation agency. As such, it performs many functions. These include identifying and preserving historic properties, reviewing development and demolition activities proposed in the city, providing public information and assistance on preservation practices, and providing staff support to local historic district commissions. The BLC also administers the City's Demolition Delay process, Article 85 of the Zoning Code.

While the BLC is not an archival source for historic documents such as maps and photos, we do have extensive materials available to the public. These include architectural inventory forms and inventory completion reports for all Boston neighborhoods including the Central Business District. Landmark Study Reports are available for individually designated Landmarks and for all local historic districts except for Beacon Hill and the Back Bay.

BLC staff can determine if you property has any historic status, and if so, what that means in terms of protection and regulation. We may also be able to provide technical information if you are beginning an historic rehabilitation project on your building or grounds.

What is a Landmark and How is one Designated?
A designated Boston Landmark is a property (or a district comprised of multiple properties) with historic, social, cultural, architectural or aesthetic significance to the City and the Commonwealth, the New England region, or the nation. It has been designated through a formal process, and once designated, proposed changes to Landmark properties require BLC design review and approval. Most Boston Landmarks are designated for exterior review only, for the building(s) and the property. Landmark designation does not regulate use or occupancy.

A petition initiates the designation process. Petition forms and instructions are available at the Environment Department or by mail. Each petition is brought before the Boston Landmarks Commission at a public, preliminary hearing. If the Commission votes to accept the petition for further study it goes on a list of pending designations. Annually, the commission develops a work plan to determine for which properties BLC staff will prepare a study report, to establish the significance of the property. A formal designation hearing will be held when the study report is complete. The Commission, City Council and the Mayor must all approve designation in order for a Boston Landmark to become official.

Application for Certificate of Appropriateness
Once a property becomes a Landmark the BLC must review potential changes and issue a Certificate of Appropriateness before a building permit can be issued for proposed work. For most, but not all designations, interior work is exempt from review. BLC Design Review Committee hearings are held monthly. All applicants are encouraged o contact the BLC staff before submitting an application. Call the number above to speak to the staff architect, and obtain an application form, fee information, guidelines, and filing and hearing dates.

Demolition Delay
Through Article 85 of the Boston Zoning Code (Chapter 665 of the Acts of 1956, as amended), also known as Demolition Delay, the Boston Landmark Commission reviews any demolition that takes place outside of the local districts or individual landmark properties. For a brief explanation of Demolition Delay, click here. For an application and more details, please contact staff. A determination letter is needed from the Boston Landmarks Commission before the Inspectional Services Department will issue a demolition permit.

Is the National Register of Historic Places different from local Landmarks or Districts?
Yes. The National Register is the nation's list of historic buildings, sites, structures and objects worthy of preservation. Through the nomination and listing process, the National Register honors properties, individually and within districts, and affords recognition as well as serving as a planning tool. There are over 10,000 properties in Boston listed on the National Register, individually and within 40 districts. The BLC is the City's administrator of the National Register of Historic Places, in conjunction with the Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC), the Commonwealth's historic preservation agency.

The National Register has limited review power and may offer economic incentives. There is no review for a project that use private funds and does not require state or federal permits or licenses. There are income-tax credits of 20% for rehabilitation of income-producing historic properties for projects that meet specified federal requirements. There are also fifty-fifty matching grants for preservation of properties owned by municipalities or non-profits, through the Massachusetts Preservation Projects Fund (MPPF), administered by the MHC.

Listing on the National Register is a multi-step process involving evaluation of eligibility, preparation of the official nomination form, and approval by the BLC, the MHC, and the National Parks Service (NPS). In the case of district nomination, there is also a public process of notification, education, and opportunity for objection.

Call us to see whether your building may qualify for National Register (NR) listing individually or as a part of a district. BLC staff can outline the procedure for NR nomination in greater detail. You also may obtain information about the National Register Program from the Massachusetts Historical Commission at www.state.ma.us/sec/mhc or 617-727-8470.

Can I get funding to rehabilitate a historic property?
Boston's Department of Neighborhood Development (DND) offers Historic HomeWorks grants for historically appropriate exterior work. There are also Boston HomeWorks grants for general exterior and interior rehab work. Several other property assistance programs are available from the City of Boston. For more information go to Boston Homeworks or call 617/635-4000 to be directed to the proper division within DND. See the National Register section above regarding potential state and federal assistance.

Can you recommend a contractor, architect, or preservation consultant for my project?
The BLC maintains limited lists of contractors and consultants with relevant experience. However, the commission does not recommend one contractor over another, and you are not restricted to only those professionals on the list. We strongly encourage you to do your own research and evaluation before choosing any building professional.

Do you have information on my house? If not, how can I learn about the history, or the style, or appropriate paint colors?
The Boston Landmarks Commission has historical information on thousands of buildings throughout the neighborhoods of Boston and our survey library expands every year. Please contact staff to see whether we have information on your house. If we don't, that doesn't mean your building isn't historic. Each survey is representative of the architecture of a particular neighborhood.

How can I get a plaque put up for a historic property?
The Bostonian Society provides the Boston Historic Markers Program for historic sites citywide (617)720-1713 ext:29. The Massachusetts Historical Commission can provide you with information on plaque purchase if the property is listed on the National Register (617)727-8470.