Zoning Board of Appeal
We inspect and review buildings for zoning compliance. The board regulates the rules behind what you can build and where you can build in Boston.
Zoning laws regulate construction and how you can use land in the City. The laws also regulate the size and boundaries of private property.
Codes keep developers from creating buildings that don’t fit a neighborhood, or would cause disruptions. For example, zoning code allows a homeowner to build an addition, but doesn’t allow an auto body shop to open in a residential area.
City officials created the Boston Zoning Code in 1964. There are now 14 neighborhood codes and 18 codes for downtown Boston and the waterfront. Learn more about zoning and how it might affect your project at the next Zoning Clinic. You can also find the zoning for addresses in the City.
Boston, MA 02118
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
To find information on upcoming Board of Appeal hearings, please visit the public notices section of Boston.gov.
- Hearing minutes for December 18, 2018
- Hearing minutes for December 11, 2018
- Hearing minutes for November 27, 2018
- Hearing minutes for November 13, 2018
- Hearing minutes for October 30, 2018
- Hearing minutes for October 16, 2018
- Hearing minutes for September 25, 2018
- Hearing minutes for September 11, 2018
- Hearing minutes for August 28, 2018
- Hearing minutes for August 14, 2018
- Hearing minutes for July 31, 2018
- Hearing minutes for July 10, 2018
- Hearing minutes for June 26, 2018
- Hearing minutes for June 12, 2018
- Hearing minutes for May 22, 2018
- Hearing minutes for May 8, 2018
- Hearing minutes for April 24, 2018
- Hearing minutes for April 10, 2018
- Hearing minutes for March 27, 2018
- Hearing minutes for March 6, 2018
- Hearing minutes for February 27, 2018
- Hearing minutes for February 13, 2018
- Hearing minutes for January 30, 2018
- Hearing minutes for January 9, 2018 (3)
- Hearing minutes for October 17, 2017
- Hearing minutes for September 19, 2017
- Hearing minutes for September 12, 2017
- Hearing minutes for August 29, 2017
- Hearing minutes for July 25, 2017
- Hearing minutes for July 11, 2017
- Hearing minutes for June 27, 2017
- Hearing minutes for June 13, 2017
- Hearing Minutes for May 23, 2017
The board reviews exceptions to the City’s zoning code.
The mayor appoints seven people to the board every three years. They meet every other Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. The meetings take place at:
1 City Hall Square, Room 801
Boston, MA 02201
You can ask for an exception if your project gets rejected because it doesn’t meet a City zoning code. You have go to a public hearing to explain why you think you should get an exception to the zoning code.
- Tuesday, January 15, 2019
- Tuesday, January 29, 2019
- Tuesday, February 5, 2019
- Tuesday, February 26, 2019
- Tuesday, March 12, 2019
- Tuesday, March 26, 2019
- Tuesday, April 9, 2019
- Tuesday, April 30, 2019
- Tuesday, May 7, 2019
- Tuesday, May 21, 2019
- Tuesday, June 11, 2019
- Tuesday, June 25, 2019
- Tuesday, July 9, 2019
- Tuesday, July 30, 2019
- Tuesday, August 13, 2019
- Tuesday, August 27, 2019
- Tuesday, September 10, 2019
- Tuesday, September 17, 2019
- Tuesday, October 8, 2019
- Tuesday, October 29, 2019
- Tuesday, November 12, 2019
- Tuesday, November 19, 2019
- Tuesday, December 3, 2019
- Tuesday, December 17, 2019
- Thursday, January 24, 2019
- Thursday, February 14, 2019
- Thursday, March 21, 2019
- Thursday, April 25, 2019
- Thursday, May 16 2019
- Thursday, June 20, 2019
- Thursday, July 18, 2019
- Thursday, August 22, 2019
- Thursday, September 19, 2019
- Thursday, October 17, 2019
- Thursday, November 21, 2019
- Thursday, December 12, 2019
The Boston Planning & Development Agency reviews appeal applications. They help builders plan projects and stay within zoning codes.
When reviewing an appeal application, they'll make recommendations to the Zoning Board on what to do.
They work with community groups and neighboring property owners. They also attend public hearings and help builders through the approval process.
Have a public records request for the Board of Appeal?
Please contact Assistant Corporation Counsel Kevin P. O'Connor, Jr.
Kevin P. O'Connor, Jr.
Assistant Corporation Counsel
Executive Secretary, Board of Appeal
Inspectional Services Department
1010 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02118
617-961-3361 (Direct) 617-635-5385 (Fax)
kevin.oconnor@boston.gov
| Member | Appointed | Expires | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bruce Bickerstaff | 3/24/2017 | 7/1/2018 | Holdover |
| Anthony Pisani | 3/24/2017 | 7/1/2018 | Holdover |
| Mark Fortune | 3/24/2017 | 6/1/2018 | Holdover |
| Christine Araujo | 11/30/2015 | 7/1/2018 | Holdover |
| Mark Erlich | 3/24/2017 | 9/1/2019 | Active |
| Kerry Walsh Logue | 3/24/2017 | 11/1/2019 | Active |
| Tyrone Kindell Jr. | 3/24/2017 | 10/1/2019 | Active |
| Craig Galvin | 3/10/2016 | 3/7/2019 | Holdover |
| Eugene Kelly | 3/24/2017 | 7/1/2018 | Holdover |
| Marie St. Fleur | 3/24/2017 | 7/1/2018 | Holdover |