Aberdeen Beacon Hill Back Bay South End

Bay State Road/Back Bay West Bay Village Mission Hill Triangle St. Botolph

The eight local historic-district commissions review and approve proposed exterior design changes to properties within their boundaries. Each district commission meets monthly. Commissioners are volunteers nominated by neighborhoods, professional organizations, or the Boston Landmarks Commission and appointed by the Mayor. Each district commission has its own guidelines for design review, deadlines for application submittals, and meeting dates for the review of applications.


Forms, Guidelines, and Regulations

2008 Architectural Commission Filing Deadlines & Hearing Dates

Preservation planners are located in the Environment Department to provide information and to assist with the application process. Before submitting an application for design review, an applicant may contact the preservation staff for guidance. These eight commissions do not have jurisdiction over use, occupancy issues or any other zoning matters. If a project requires zoning relief, all necessary variances must be received from the Zoning Board of Appeals before the project can be reviewed by a local historic district commission. This website 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.

If your question is not answered here or if you are unsure of what the answer means for you, please call the Preservation Planner for your district. It is always easier and less expensive for you to ask us a question before work begins.
It's also the law!

Is my building in a historic district?
A map of Boston landmark districts is available on this website; please see the Forms, Guidelines, and Regulations page. Please call us to verify if your building is in a Boston landmark district, and to find out if hat has any other historic status. We can explain what this status means in terms of protection and regulation.

What types of work require a Certificate of Appropriateness?
Exterior work at any property located in Boston's eight Local Historic Districts will most likely require a Certificate of Appropriateness. Work conducted without a Certificate of Appropriateness when one is required will result in a violation.

Is a Certificate of Appropriateness the same as a building permit?
No, they are separate documents issued by different City departments. If exterior work is proposed for a property located within a local historic district, the Inspectional Services Department will require a Certificate of Appropriateness from the respective district commission in order to issue a building permit.

How long does it take to receive a Certificate of Appropriateness?
Most applications are processed in a single hearing cycle that takes place in about a month. A commission may ask an applicant to return for another hearing to address insufficient documentation or present design development for a large-scale or complicated project. Property owners should plan for ample time to fully prepare the application and to accommodate the review process. Due to the large volume of applications and the required notification process, the commissions cannot make allowances for late applications, missed deadlines or inadequate documentation. True emergencies, such as unexpected occurrence of unsafe or dangerous conditions, can be accommodated.

How long is a Certificate of Appropriateness valid?
Certificates of Appropriateness are valid for two years from the date of issue, except in the Back Bay, where they are valid for one year only.

The work is not visible from the street. Do I still need a Certificate of Appropriateness?
You may. In the Back Bay all exterior work, visible or not, is under commission jurisdiction. For all other districts "visible" means that any portion of the proposed work can be seen from a public way. The preservation planner will assist in making the determination of visibility, in order for a potential applicant to avoid any violations and costly mistakes.

Are there pre-approved paint colors, products and/or contractors and architects for the districts?
No. Paint colors are considered on a building-by-building basis. Similarly, products and service providers are not pre-approved for work in the districts. We encourage applicants to do their own research when choosing a contractor and/or architect.

My project needs zoning relief in addition to design review. Which do I seek first?
The district commissions will require that you seek any zoning approval or any other regulatory relief (e.g., licensing, building code, etc.) that is needed before you come to the commissions for design review.