Historic Preservation

If you own a historic property, also known as a “Local Historic District”, there are rules that apply to repairs and alterations. The Planning Division and the HPC can help with design standards and the review process.

This document establishes the HPC’s organization, conduct, meeting schedule, application review, and other rules.

oric Preservation Commission’s Rules of Policy and Procedure

Demolition Review

If you are proposing to demolish a building that is over 75 years old, it must go through Demolition Review. You can read the Demolition Review Ordinance in the Somerville Zoning Ordinance (amended in 12/8/2022). 

There are areas that are identified as exempt from Demolition Review. You can review the map of parcels that are exempt from Demolition Review.

Historic Districts

You can review the Historic District Ordinance in the Somerville Zoning Ordinance.

If you own a Historic District property, you are subjected to Minimum Maintenance Standards Ordinance.

If you own a Historic District property, please review these Historic Preservation Commission Design Guidelines.
 

If you are proposing to do work on a Historic Property or if you are proposing the demolition of a building that is 75 years or older, you must apply for a Historic Permit in CitizenServe. It will then be reviewed by case planners who will work with you to schedule you into the HPC’s agenda if needed. 

Please review this document for the HPC Application Submission Requirements and Instructions.

Cases & Decisions

Historic Preservation Commission meetings are generally held on the first and third Tuesday of each month, via Zoom.

Please see published legal notifications and online agendas at somervillema.gov/events. Agendas are published at least forty-eight (48) hours in advance of the meeting. The meeting dates below are tentative: meetings will only be held if there are items of business on the agenda to be addressed at the meeting, and meetings may be rescheduled or cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.

View 2026 Meeting Schedule

View Agendas & Minutes

View past HPC meetings recordings

Established in 1985, the Somerville Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) enforces the City’s Historic District Ordinance, as well as its Demolition Review Ordinance. The Commission has space for seven regular members and seven alternates. All members are volunteers from various backgrounds. Per the Ordinance, the regular members must be Somerville residents and includes an architectural historian, an architect, a licensed real estate broker, a city planner, a lawyer, and two resident members with a demonstrated commitment to historic preservation. The alternates include a resident of a historic district, a landscape architect, a licensed general contractor or person in the building trades, and a person with a background in any of the above-mentioned categories, and five of the alternates must be Somerville residents. All members of the HPC are appointed by the mayor with approval by the City Council.

Regular Members

1. Architect – Eric Parkes (LHD), Chair
2. Real Estate Agent – Robin Kelly (LHD), Vice Chair
3. City Planner – Ryan Falvey
4. Lawyer – Dick Bauer
5. Citizen Member – Denise Price
6. Landscape Architect – Denis J. Chagnon (Alternate)

Purpose

The HPC reviews alterations or repairs to properties in a Local Historic District that are visible from a public way and would result in an irreversible change in the design, materials, or outwards appearance of the structure. It also reviews any changes in the general arrangement of the building's features or its architectural details, such as the arrangement of windows or doors. The HPC does not review cases that involve routine maintenance or replacement of any part of the property using the same design and materials as the original building. The HPC also does not review cases in which buildings have been destroyed by fire or other disaster, as long as the reconstruction occurs within a year and is substantially similar to the original building in exterior design, type of use, and size. The HPC offers pro bono professional advice, practical information, and pertinent references about materials and techniques used in historic preservation and restoration, and provides technical assistance throughout design and construction. HPC has developed specific guidelines to aid historic property owners in making appropriate and sensitive decisions about alterations, additions, and repairs to their properties