Brockton, MA Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)

The Historical Commission, established under Sec. 17-96, consists of five members appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council, drawn in part from nominees of the Brockton Historical Society, the Massachusetts State Association of Architects, and the Brockton Board of Realtors, with two members from residents or owners in the historic district (Sec. 17-97). Under Sec. 17-99, the commission issues certificates of appropriateness, nonapplicability, or hardship, and no building or structure in a historic district may be constructed or altered in a way affecting exterior architectural features without one.

Sec. 17-111 makes this a hard prerequisite: no building permit for construction or exterior alteration, and no demolition permit, may be issued anywhere in a historic district until the commission has issued the applicable certificate. The commission must act within 60 days of a filed application (Sec. 17-113). The South Street Historic District itself was established by Sec. 17-126, with boundaries mapped by metes and bounds referencing Brockton Assessors Plans. Sec. 17-128 carves out exemptions from commission review within that district: terraces, walks, driveways and sidewalks at grade; walls and fences; storm doors and windows, screens, window air conditioners, lighting fixtures and antennae; the color of paint; and the color of roofing materials.

An applicant aggrieved by a commission determination may, within 20 days of the city clerk's filing of the decision, request review by a person designated by the Old Colony Planning Commission (Sec. c. 40C, Sec. 12A.