Cambridge, MA Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- Code of Ordinances Ch. 2.78, Art. III
- Petition threshold
- 30 registered voters can request designation
- Public hearing notice
- At least 14 days, by mail and newspaper
- Post-designation permit hold
- Certificate of appropriateness required
- Post-demolition permit bar
- 2 years if demolished without certificate
- Appeal deadline
- 30 days to Superior Court
Summary
Cambridge designates individual landmarks under Code of Ordinances Chapter 2.78, Article III, protecting properties tied to the city's cultural, political or architectural history. The Historical Commission reviews petitions, and once a landmark is designated, exterior work needs a certificate of appropriateness before any permit issues.
The Historical Commission by majority vote may recommend for designation as a landmark any property within the City being or containing a place, structure, feature or object which it determines to be either (1) importantly associated with one or more historic persons or events, or with the broad architectural, aesthetic, cultural, political, economic or social history of the City or the Commonwealth or (2) historically or architecturally significant...
Full Breakdown
180(A), the Historical Commission may recommend landmark designation for any property "being or containing a place, structure, feature or object" it finds importantly associated with historic persons or events, or with the city's broader cultural, political, economic or social history, or that is independently significant architecturally. 180(D)). The Commission must hold a preliminary hearing within 60 days of the petition, commission an investigation and report, and then hold a public hearing on at least 14 days' notice, mailed to the owner and to every abutting registered voter and property owner.
If a petition is rejected, the Commission cannot reconsider the same designation for two years. 180(G)). 180(I)). 210 requires a certificate of appropriateness, nonapplicability, or hardship from the Historical Commission before any exterior alteration, new construction, or demolition permit affecting a landmark can be issued. 200). 240).
Violations & Fines
Violating Chapter 2.78's landmark protections can be punished to the same extent as violations of the state Historic Districts Act, G.L. c. 40C Section 13 (Section 2.78.270). If a landmark is voluntarily demolished without a certificate issued under Article III, the City withholds any building permit for that parcel and all commonly-owned adjoining parcels for two years after the demolition is completed. The Historical Commission is separately authorized to bring civil actions in law or equity to enforce compliance or stop a threatened violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who decides if a Cambridge property becomes a protected landmark?
Can I alter the exterior of a designated Cambridge landmark?
What happens if a landmark is torn down without approval?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cambridge
Compare Cambridge to another location·View the Massachusetts historic preservation overview
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