Historic Beacon Hill District
The Historic Beacon Hill District was established in 1955, and expanded in 1958, 1963, 1975 and 2024.
The Beacon Hill Architectural Commission (BHAC) meets on the third Thursday of each month to review proposed exterior alterations. Find out about the commissioner nomination process in the district's original enabling legislation. Interested in becoming a commissioner? Please check the commission information section at the bottom of this page. If you see an "apply online" button, we have an opening on the commission and you're able to apply for it.
DESIGN REVIEW PROCESS
All exterior work visible from a public way is subject to review by the BHAC. This includes views from the Boston Common, the Boston Public Garden, Storrow Drive, the Charles River Esplanade, and the Longfellow Bridge.
Apply for Design Review Online
- To save time and costs, review district Standards and Criteria early in the planning process.
- Review all instructions and documentation requirements before submitting your application to ensure it is complete. Incomplete applications will not be added to a public hearing agenda.
- Submit your application online well in advance of a filing deadline in case it is incomplete and additional or revised information needs to be submitted.
- Do not begin any work, or buy materials, until after you have received confirmation your project has been approved by the Commission.
- When work does commence, be sure to display your approval placard near the building permit for the duration of construction.
HISTORY
Development on Beacon Hill began with the construction of the new Massachusetts State House, designed by renowned architect Charles Bulfinch and completed in 1798. Around the same time, the Mount Vernon Proprietors, one of the earliest land development companies in the United States, was formed. They purchased 18 ½ acres of land west of the State House to establish residential properties. The residences on Beacon Hill also showcase the work of prominent architects such as Asher Benjamin, Solomon Willard, and Alexander Parris, who designed homes in the Federal and Greek Revival styles. Later in the 19th century, apartment buildings were also added to the neighborhood. Beacon Hill’s history of adaptive reuse includes early examples of converting stables and carriage houses into lofts and studios. For more details, you can explore the National Register Nomination Document.
Resources
Resources- Once your application has been ruled on by the commission, your decision letter will be emailed to you.
- If approved, use the decision letter to obtain your building permit with the building department. Be sure to display your approval placard on site, visible to the public, for the duration of the project.
- Application Instructions and Fees
- Approval Placard
- BHAC By-Laws
- BHAC Property Data
- District Map
- Enabling Legislation and Amendments
- 2024 District Expansion
- Extension Form
- Landmark/District Map
- Guide to Photographing Windows for Applications
- National Register Nomination Document
- Resilient Historic Buildings Design Guide
- Standards & Criteria
- Article 11 (City Sign Code)
- Tree Guard Standard (Application For Approval Required)
- Information on Funding Historic Preservation
- Video Intercom / Doorbell Guidance
- Archeology Department
- Archives Department
- Beacon Hill Civic Association
- Boston Public Library
- Boston Planning and Development Agency
- Community Preservation Act
- Disabilities Commission
- Environment Department
- Fire Department
- Inspectional Services Department
- Language and Communications Access
- Neighborhood Services
- Parks & Recreation Department
- Public Works Department
- Transportation Department
- Zoning Board of Appeals
2024 BHAC AGENDAS
- BHAC January 2024
- BHAC February 2024
- BHAC March 2024
- BHAC April 2024
- BHAC May 2024
- BHAC June 2024
- BHAC July 2024
- BHAC August 2024
- BHAC September 2024 and BHAC October 3, 2024 (Make Up Hearing)
- BHAC October 2024
NOTE: Our office has additional, older hearing recordings, agendas and meeting minutes available at request. Please contact us for more information.
2023 BHAC AGENDAS
BHAC 2024 MINuteS
- January 2024
- February 2024
- March 2024
- April 2024
- May 2024
- June 2024
- July 2024
- August 2024
- September 2024 and October 3 Make Up Hearing
- October 2023 (Pending Approval)
NOTE: Our office has additional, older hearing recordings, agendas and meeting minutes available at request. Please contact us for more information.
BHAC 2023 MINuteS
BHAC 2024 recordings
- January 2024
- February 2024
- March 2024
- April 2024
- May 2024 Part 1 | Part 2
- June 2024
- July 2024
- August 2024
- September 2024 and October 3 (Make Up Hearing)
- October 2024
NOTE: Our office has additional, older hearing recordings, agendas and meeting minutes available at request. Please contact us for more information.
BHAC 2023 recordings
Commission Info
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Department:
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Authority:State
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Term:5 years
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Stipend:No
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Total Seats:10
Current members
Member | Appointed | Expires | Status |
---|---|---|---|
Alice Richmond | 2/10/2021 | 5/1/2025 | Active |
Arian Allen | 12/11/2019 | 5/1/2024 | Active |
Annette Given | 3/24/2021 | 5/1/2025 | Active |
Mark Kiefer | 3/23/2022 | 5/1/2026 | Active |
Ralph Jackson | 3/23/2022 | 5/1/2023 | Active |
Edward Fleck | 3/23/2022 | 5/1/2024 | Active |
Maurice Finegold | 2/8/2023 | 5/1/2026 | Active |
Curtis Kemeny | 2/8/2023 | 5/1/2026 | Active |
Sandra Steele | 2/8/2023 | 5/1/2026 | Active |