Air Pollution Control Commission
The Boston Air Pollution Control Commission works to maintain healthy air quality and noise levels in the City.
The Commission works to make our City a healthier and more comfortable place to live, work, and visit. We regulate activities that affect air quality and noise levels.
Better air quality means improving the health of the overall population. Reducing air pollution also reduces Boston's contribution to global climate change. While noise is a type of pollution that is often overlooked, we help keep noise at livable levels in the City.
Boston, MA 02201
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Proposed Regulation Changes
We're revising the procedures and criteria for the issuance of permits for the Downtown, South Boston, and East Boston Parking Freezes.
Current regulations, proposed revisions, and redline changes
Who to contact
During normal business hours, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., you can contact us at 617-635-3850 or emailing APCC@boston.gov for concerns about noise related to:
- construction sites
- industrial sites
- ventilation, or
- air-conditioning equipment.
Outside of normal office hours, you can contact BOS: 311 with your concerns.
Please call 9-1-1 if you have a concern about noise related to:
- car alarms
- loud parties, or
- sound amplification devices.
Do you have a concern about noise related to airplanes? Please contact the Massachusetts Port Authority:
- complete Massport's online form, or
- call Massport at 617-561-3333.
Do you have a concern about an open fire? Please contact the Boston Fire Department.
Boston Air Pollution Control Commission
We are coordinating to ensure clean, healthy air and appropriate noise levels in Boston. We work with many other City Hall departments, and local, state, and federal agencies.
We review, permit, and regulate activities that relate to air quality and noise, including:
- parking and idling
- abrasive blasting
- chemical cleaning of buildings
- construction, and
- open burning and smoke from industrial sites.
We hold public hearings on a quarterly basis, or every three months. During hearings, the Commission reviews applications for parking freeze permits. Applications may be for new or modified permits in the South Boston or Downtown freeze areas. The Commission may also discuss or make decisions related to:
- the Building Energy Reporting and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO)
- noise regulations, or
- air pollution regulations.
We hold hearings from 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. in Room 900 at Boston City Hall (9th Floor), unless otherwise noted. Detailed hearing information will appear on the City's public notices page.
| Filing Deadline | Hearing Date |
|---|---|
| October 18, 2019 | December 18, 2019 |
| January 17, 2020 | March 18, 2020 |
| April 17, 2020 | June 17, 2020 |
| July 17, 2020 | September 16, 2020 |
| October 16, 2020 | December 16, 2020 |
Commission details
Current members
| Member | Appointed | Expires | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Julien Farland | Active | ||
| Russell Preston | 11/4/2019 | 9/1/2022 | Active |
| Sarah Lee | 11/4/2019 | 9/1/2022 | Active |
| Gregory Rooney | Active | ||
| Richard Davey | 1/3/2020 | 9/1/2020 | Active |