Mayor Walsh announces Zoning Board of Appeal project tracker

BOSTON - Monday, January 25, 2021 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the Zoning Board of Appeal (ZBA) project tracker is now available online. With the creation of the online tool, this fulfills the requirements set forth in Mayor Walsh’s Executive Order Relative to the Zoning Board of Appeal. This new tool will increase access to information related to proposed projects seeking relief from the Zoning Board of Appeal. The tracker is designed for anyone to quickly search for a specific appeal that has been submitted to the ZBA, or to search for appeals based on criteria such as location or applicant, in order to identify the status of the appeal.

“Increasing access to the workings of municipal government is important for our residents to have access to resources about the city’s role in the development and livelihood of our residents,” said Mayor Walsh. “The Zoning Board of Appeals’ online tracker will increase our city’s transparency and our residents’ understanding of our neighborhoods.”

The ZBA Tracker will allow viewers to use an interactive map to view projects seeking relief by clicking on the neighborhood in question on the map or by typing in the address which provides the following additional details for each proposed project:

• The status of the appeal
• Community process
• Date and location of an appeal application
• Hearing scheduled 
• Address of the proposed project
• Status of project
• Deferral date
• Hearing result
• Application numbers
• Zoning district
• Contact information
• Appeal type 
• Date of submission

When proposed projects do not conform to the neighborhood's zoning code requirements and are denied, applicants can seek relief also known as a variance of the code violations by appealing the decision to the ZBA. If the Board grants relief, then the appellant is able to continue with the process of obtaining a permit.  

“This newly developed tool will further Mayor Walsh's commitment to increase transparency to department processes and community development,” said Inspectional Services Commissioner Dion Irish. “ISD will continue to create digital tools that will provide real time information related to permits.”

All permits issued after January 1, 2021 will display a QR Code which will allow passersby to access detailed information of the property in question on their smartphone.

Learn more about zoning on BPDA Zoning Viewer. Need to file an application for relief click on our Online Permitting Portal.  

About the Zoning Board of Appeal

The Board of Appeal (BOA) is an autonomous body of seven members who are appointed by the Mayor to serve a three-year term.  The Board is charged with reviewing variance requests under the zoning or building codes regulating requirements including but not limited to the use, dimensional boundaries and the height of privately owned buildings.  Each member is charged with reviewing cases during a public hearing for building or zoning relief and determining if an applicant should be granted relief. The Board has the right to reject and/or approve an appeal based on the merits of an application. 

For more information regarding the Board of Appeal click here. 

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