Historical Commission | City of Worcester
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The Worcester Historical Commission preserves historic assets and reviews proposed alterations to properties in local historic districts while administering the Building Demolition Delay Ordinance. The Commission evaluates historic buildings and artifacts for local significance under the Community Preservation Act, which is required for CPA funding eligibility. Meeting agendas, minutes, and videos are available through the OneMeeting portal (from July 2025 forward), and the Commission offers several permits including Certificate of Appropriateness, Building Demolition Delay Waivers, and Determinations of Local Historical Significance, which applicants can submit online.
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HISTORICAL COMMISSION The Historical Commission preserves and promotes the historic assets of the city. The Commission reviews alterations proposed to properties that are located in local historic districts and administers the city's Building Demolition Delay Ordinance. Under the Community Preservation Act (CPA), the Historical Commission analyzes historic buildings, structures, documents, and artifacts to determine local historical significance. A positive determination of local historical significance is required for eligibility to apply for CPA funds. Commission Profile How to Join UPCOMING MEETINGS Please review the Meeting Schedule for meeting dates and application deadlines. If you wish to submit comments to the Planning & Regulatory Services Division on a project, please submit our Board & Commissions Public Comment Form no less than 48 hours before the public meeting. As of July 2025, all current/upcoming agendas and archived meeting minutes are now available through our partner OneMeeting. Archived agendas and minutes are currently available going back to 2021, with older archived files added on an ongoing basis. For meeting materials prior to this time period, please submit a Public Records Request. Additionally, all meeting videos will be available on the OneMeeting Portal from July 2025 moving forward. Videos prior to this time will still be available in our Video On Demand, but will be migrated to the OneMeeting portal on an ongoing basis. View Meetings Applications & Meeting Materials PRESERVATION AWARDS The Worcester Historical Commission, in partnership with Preservation Worcester, has established an annual awards program to recognize outstanding restoration, renovation and development projects that foster historic preservation in the City. Learn More PERMITS & LICENSING Historical Commission Create an Account • Submit Applications • Manage & Print Permits For information on all city permits, licenses and fees, visit the Permit/License Center. We encourage you to submit your application ONLINE through our permit portal! Before you can submit an application for a permit or license you must create an account. For your convenience, payments can be made via all major credit cards or ACH transfer. Permit/License Types Building Demolition Delay Waiver Certificate of Non-Applicability Certificate of Appropriateness & Building Demolition Delay Waiver Determination of Local Historical Significance Application Please note the following: If needed, certified abutters lists should be obtained from the City's Assessing Office, Room 209, City Hall for a small fee. Please contact Assessing at least one week in advance to ensure timely receipt. At a regularly scheduled meeting, the Commission will vote on the matter, and a signed decision will be issued within 1-2 weeks. The decision is necessary for obtaining a Building Permit. Please note that you or your representative are required to attend the meeting to answer any questions the Historical Commission members may have. Please be aware it may be necessary to apply for permits/licenses from multiple city departments depending on your requirements. Apply Now LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICTS Preliminary Study Reports The Worcester Historical Commission is working on creating several new local historic districts! The Historical Commission has voted to study the possible creation of a local historical district (LHD) for a number of properties and neighborhoods in the city. Learn More Study Reports Elm Park Neighborhood LHD Final Study Report Massachusetts Ave LHD Study Report Crown Hill LHD Preliminary Study Report Montvale LHD Expansion Study Report ORDINANCES Building Demolition Ordinance Historical Commission Ordinance INSURING HISTORIC BUILDINGS State Memo - Insurance and Inventoried Properties State Memo - Insurance and the National Register MAPS MACRIS Maps Worcester LHD Maps (Crown Hill, Elm Park Neighborhood, Massachusetts Avenue and Montvale) RESOURCES Local Historic District Design Review Guidelines View Local Historic Districts Rules & Regulations View Undue Financial Hardship Application (Supplement) View Worcester Historic Preservation Study - 2016 View CONTACT INFORMATION Address Planning & Regulatory Services City Hall Room 404 455 Main Street Worcester, MA 01608 Contact Phone: 508-799-1400 Fax: 508-799-1406 Email Us Hours Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
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