Designating Landmarks in Boston

Overview

The Boston Landmarks Commission (BLC) may designate various resources (structures, sites, or objects, man-made, or natural) as local Landmarks based on four criteria evaluating the significance of a resource.

Types of Designations

• Individual Landmark: An individual property, improvement or physical feature.
• Landmark District: An area above local significance (State, Regional, or National).
• Architectural Conservation District: An area with significance at the local level.
• Protection Area: An area adjacent to and contributing to the physical environment of an Individual Landmark, Landmark District, or Architectural Conservation District.

Designation Criteria

• A property listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
• A resource at which events occurred that have made an outstanding contribution to, and are identified prominently with, or which best represent some important aspect of cultural, political, economic, military, or social history.
• A resource associated significantly with the lives of outstanding historic personages.
• A resource representative of elements of architectural or landscape design or craftsmanship that embody distinctive characteristics of a type inherently valuable for study of a period, style, or method of construction or development, or a notable work of an influential architect, landscape architect, designer, or builder.

How to Submit a Petition

Complete a draft petition and submit it to the BLC Executive Director at [email protected]. The Executive Director will review the draft petition and set up a meeting to discuss it. Your petition must include a written summary of the history and significance of the resource you'd like to designate. Boston voters' signatures are required on the petition. The Mayor or an individual BLC commissioner can also submit a petition.

Petition Process

• If the BLC votes to accept the petition at a public hearing, the petition is added to the pending Landmarks list.
• A Study Report is then prepared. When a final draft Study Report is ready, it will be posted for a period of public feedback.
• After feedback is gathered and the study report amended if necessary, the Landmarks Commission votes on designation.
• The Mayor and City Council then also vote on the designation.

After Designation

Once designated, Landmark status protects a historic resource from physical changes that might compromise its integrity. Exterior, and in some cases interior, changes to designated Individual Landmarks and properties within local historic districts are reviewed and approved by the Commission through the design review process. Thoughtful changes that follow guidelines contained in the Landmark's study report will be approved more quickly. Occupancy and use are not subject to review.

Contact

• Landmarks Commission
• 617-635-1935
• 26 Court Street, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02108