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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.

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Updates:
  • All hearings listed on the December 7, 2021, hearing agenda were canceled due to technical difficulties. The hearings have been rescheduled for January 18, 2022. Learn more about the rescheduling.
  • The Board of Appeal now accepts service of complaints under Rule 4 of the Mass. Rules of Civil Procedure via email. If you wish to serve a complaint appealing a decision of the Board of Appeal, please do so by emailing a copy of the summons and filing to thomas.broom@boston.gov

City officials created the Boston Zoning Code in 1964. There are now 14 neighborhood codes and 18 codes for downtown Boston and the waterfront. You can also find the zoning for addresses in the City.

Zoning codes in Boston

Upcoming events

Upcoming events
Zoning Board of Appeal hearing
On Jan 18

Jan 18
Zoning Advisory Board of Appeal hearing
On Jan 20

Jan 20
Search public notices

Zoning Board of Appeal tracker

Through the Zoning Board of Appeal tracker, you can:

  • search for a specific appeal that has been submitted, or
  • search for appeals based on criteria, such as location or applicant.
Search our tracker

Board of Appeal decisions

Decisions
View recent Zoning Board of Appeal decisions

Guidance videos

Zoning workshop (March 2021)
Learn about how the Zoning Code dictates the use, density, and development in Boston.

Multilingual Zoning Board of Appeal guides

We recently published a guide explaining how a project moves through the zoning process. The guide also answers some frequently asked questions about the zoning process.

English

Zoning Board of Appeal guide
Kriolu, Cabo Verdean Creole

Konselhu di Zoniamentu di Prusesu di Apelason
Komite Zonaj Pwosesis Apèl

Komite Zonaj Pwosesis Apèl
Français

Procédure de la Chambre de recours de zonage
中文 (Simplified)

区划上诉委员会流程
中文 (Traditional)

區劃上訴委員會流程
Español

Proceso de la Junta de apelaciones de zonificación
Русский

Апелляционный совет по зонированию
Tiếng Việt

Quy Trình Phân Vùng Của Hội Đồng Kháng Nghị
Af-Soomali

Nidaamka Racfaanka ee Guddiga Deegaameynta

Board of Appeal reviews

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.

how to apply for an appeal

2022 hearing dates

Hearing dates
  • Tuesday, January 11, 2022
  • Tuesday, January 18, 2022
  • Tuesday, January 25, 2022
  • Tuesday, February 8, 2022
  • Tuesday, February 15, 2022
  • Tuesday, March 8, 2022
  • Tuesday, March 22, 2022
  • Tuesday, April 5, 2022
  • Tuesday, April 26, 2022
  • Tuesday, May 10, 2022
  • Tuesday, May 24, 2022
  • Tuesday, June 7, 2022
  • Tuesday, June 21, 2022
  • Tuesday, July 12, 2022
  • Tuesday, July 26, 2022
  • Tuesday, August 9, 2022
  • Tuesday, August 23, 2022
  • Tuesday, September 13, 2022
  • Tuesday, September 27, 2022
  • Tuesday, October 4, 2022
  • Tuesday, October 25, 2022
  • Tuesday, November 1, 2022
  • Tuesday, November 15, 2022
  • Tuesday, December 6, 2022
  • Tuesday, December 13, 2022
  • Thursday, January 20, 2022
  • Thursday, February 10, 2022
  • Thursday, March 17, 2022
  • Thursday, April 14, 2022
  • Thursday, May, 19, 2022
  • Thursday, June, 16, 2022
  • Thursday, July 21, 2022
  • Thursday, August 18, 2022
  • Thursday, September 15, 2022
  • Thursday, October 13, 2022
  • Thursday, November 17, 2022
  • Thursday, December 8, 2022

Meeting minutes

Minutes

Meeting videos

Meeting videos

Boston Planning & Development Agency

The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) 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.

Contact the Zoning Planner

Commission Info

Resources:
Enabling legislation
Boards and commissions information
We have openings:
Apply online

Members and alternate members of the Zoning Board of Appeal receive a stipend of $200 per day of service, up to a maximum of $24,000 per year.

Current members

Member Appointed Expires Status
Mark Fortune 8/21/2019 7/1/2021 Holdover
Christine Araujo 8/21/2019 7/1/2021 Holdover
Mark Erlich 3/24/2017 9/1/2019 Holdover
Kerry Walsh Logue 9/16/2020 11/1/2022 Active
Tyrone Kindell Jr. 3/24/2017 10/1/2019 Holdover
Joseph Ruggiero 8/21/2019 7/1/2021 Holdover
Konstantinos Ligris 9/16/2020 3/1/2022 Active
Jeanne Pinado 9/16/2020 7/1/2021 Holdover
Eric Robinson 11/18/2020 7/1/2021 Holdover
Hansy Better Barraza 11/18/2020 7/1/2021 Holdover
Bethany Patten 2/3/2021 7/1/2021 Holdover
Sherry Dong 2/3/2021 7/1/2021 Holdover
Thomas Broom Active

Meet the members

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