RESOURCES, RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR BEACON HILL RESIDENTS

Architecture Changes: Exteriors and Interiors

Architectural approval, building permits & zoning and licensing
Beacon Hill was designated an historic district in 1955 from Beacon to Cambridge streets and Bowdoin Street to Storrow Drive. This designation, as well as city zoning and licensing regulations, places limits on how property on Beacon Hill can be altered and/or used without express permission from one or more agencies. The following guidelines may help you determine if and from whom you will need approval:

The Beacon Hill Architectural Commission governs all exterior changes to buildings on the Hill that are visible from any public way. The Commission meets monthly to consider applications based on historical and architectural value, the significance of the property and its relationship to the exterior architectural features of buildings nearby. For information on obtaining approval and/or to be put on the agenda, contact the Commission.

Photo: (c) Vin Catania

BEACON HILL ARCHITECTURAL COMMISSION
Environment Department
City Hall, Room 805
617-635-3850
Contact: Emily Wolf
emily.wolf@cityofboston.gov

Building permits are required for all significant changes to property (interior and exterior) to assure that work meets the City of Boston building code. For information on how to obtain a permit or check to see if an ongoing construction project is permitted, call the Inspectional Services Department.

Inspectional Services Department
1010 Massachusetts Ave., 5th floor
617-635-1010

Residential building permits which may require zoning relief most frequently relate to building additions or expansion of living area (enlargements of dormers or conversions of basements or attics), adding or subdividing apartments, and constructing decks inside rear yards or on certain roofs. If a building permit application is rejected, call the Zoning Board of Appeal at 617‑635‑4775 to apply for a variance and the Beacon Hill Civic Association to be placed on the agenda for the monthly zoning & licensing committee meeting.

Board of Appeal
1010 Massachusetts Ave., 5th floor
617-635-4775

Street occupancy permits may be obtained to reserve resident parking spaces in front of a job site for an initial period by contacting the Boston Transportation Department at 617‑635‑4680. Such spaces may be used only for dumpsters during demolition and for loading and unloading materials. They may not be used for parking the contractor’s personal vehicles. To renew a permit beyond the initial two‑week period, contractors must receive a signed affidavit from the BHCA. Please note that the BHCA will not sign renewal affidavits in instances where the office has received reasonable and/or numerous complaints relating to a construction parking permit.

Boston Transportation Department
1 City Hall Plaza, Room 721
Boston, MA 02114
617-635-4675

The City of Boston’s zoning and licensing ordinances prohibit many changes unless a license or approval is obtained from the Licensing Board or the Zoning Board of Appeal. These ordinances regulate building and use changes that might affect neighbors, including effects on noise, odors, light, air, traffic and parking. The agencies that enforce them require neighborhood input in granting waivers or changes to existing designations. The BHCA plays an active role in this process, reviewing changes and their potential impact on neighbors, seeking comments from abutters, and advising the relevant agency. All applicants for zoning or licensing relief are advised to contact the BHCA to present their applications to BHCA’s zoning & licensing committee.

ZONING AND LICENSING COMMITTEE
Beacon Hill Civic Association
74 Joy Street
Boston, MA 02114
617-227-1922

BOSTON LICENSING BOARD
1 City Hall Plaza, Room 809
617-635-4170

Board of Appeal
1010 Massachusetts Avenue, 4th floor
617-635-4775