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What is Article 80 Mondernization?
Ongoing Work
Zoning Updates
Resources and Toolkits
Action plan & Past Research
FAQ
What is Article 80 Modernization?
The City of Boston Planning Department is working to improve our Article 80 development review process. Article 80 of the Boston Zoning Code sets the rules for the review of proposed real estate development projects throughout the city. The Article 80 Modernization project is the first major update to Article 80 since its creation in 1996. This work seeks to create a modernized process that is predictable, transparent, timely and inclusive of a diversity of voices. Together, the new process will make it easier for people to invest in Boston, and support new growth that serves our City while addressing long-standing needs.
Our work improving the development review process is centered around three core changes as shown below and which you can learn more about in our updated Action Plan.
Ongoing Work
The Planning Department has begun to implement the recommendations from our Action Plan , beginning with changes that will have an immediate, positive impact. Staff will test new procedures, track and monitor data, evaluate effectiveness and continue to improve upon these actions
Learn more about our implementation strategy here.
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Recent Updates
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Zoning Changes to Modernize Development Review: The Zoning Commission approved a set of amendments to the Article 80 zoning code to improve the predictability and consistency of the development review process and lay the groundwork for future reforms. Find more details in the section below.
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Effective Engagement: The Planning Department released a set of resources and best practices that expand our public engagement methods, bring more voices into the review process and improve the transparency and training of our Advisory Groups. Learn more in the Resources and Tools section.
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Coordinated Review: City staff are improving cross-departmental coordination through the use of new standardized templates to enable clear and consistent review and feedback processes.
Current Focus
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Systematically tracking the City’s internal review steps and timelines to ensure a timely and predictable process.
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Continue to improve community engagement methods to make it easier for people to learn about and share their feedback.
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Internal capacity building and system upgrades that ensure continual improvement.
Zoning Updates
August 2025 | A80 Zoning Amendment
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The Boston Zoning Commission approved a set of amendments to the zoning code in August 2025 that improve the predictability and consistency of the development review process and lay the groundwork for future reforms as part of Article 80 Modernization. This marks the most substantial improvements to Article 80 since its adoption in 1996. The changes refine the code to be predictable and transparent, and align with modern technology and the needs of Bostonians.
You can read the summary of the zoning changes, read the updated zoning code here.
Resources and Toolkits
Effective Engagement
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Early Engagement Toolkit -Set of engagement resources and best practices for development teams to support successful community engagement before filing projects with the City. Are you a proponent with a project idea? Check out the toolkit here.
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Advisory Group Improvements - new forms and guides to improve transparency and clarify expectations of Advisory group members. Check out the new interest disclosure form and, meeting norms & ethics form
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Project Site Signage - Signage placed at the proposed development site that expands awareness and directs people passing by to the project web page. Check out how it looks!
Action Plan and Past Research
Action Plan
Past Research & Engagement
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This work began in 2023 with listening, learning, drafting ideas, and adjusting based on feedback. Throughout this time we collected more than 2900 comments and survey responses, conducted 12 workshops, 8 public meetings, over 90 focus groups, among hundreds more conversations at community events across the City. Find all our past research, engagement summaries, and other project resources here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Article 80?
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Article 80 of the Boston Zoning Code is the regulatory process that dictates how development proposals are reviewed. The current development review process is triggered for development projects that include at least 15 units of housing, or are larger than 20,000 square feet.
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Article 80 was adopted into the Zoning Code in 1996 and has not been updated or revised until now.
What does Article 80 Modernization mean?
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Article 80 Modernization is the Planning Department's effort to comprehensively update our development review process. This includes working to update our community engagement practices, the Article 80 zoning code text, and our internal operations. Planning has partnered with two consultant teams to deliver this work over the next year.
Why are we modernizing Article 80?
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We often hear from community members, developers, and even staff that the Article 80 process is complicated, unpredictable, and frustrating for those who participate.
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The Article 80 Modernization project seeks to update our internal and external processes and the Zoning code to help address and respond to the needs of Bostonians today.
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This project is an opportunity to rethink and create a new process to review and shape new development projects in Boston.
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As Boston continues to grow, we want development to help serve the city and its residents in the best way possible and further the City’s goals of resilience, affordability, and equity.
What outcomes do we want to achieve?
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To create a predictable and transparent development review process
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To make sure Article 80 responds to the needs of Bostonians and delivers on Mayor Wu’s vision for a resilient, affordable, equitable City for all
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Create decision-making processes that are clear, accountable and responsive to planning efforts and community needs
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To build trust with the community and its stakeholders through predictable, transparent, and inclusive community engagement
What is the Article 80 Modernization Action Plan?
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The Article 80 Modernization Action Plan summarizes feedback we have heard and proposes the changes we will make to respond to that feedback and improve the way Boston reviews development projects. This is a draft document, and we hope to receive comments, questions, and suggestions to help finalize our next steps.
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We expect some of these next steps will include finalizing engagement changes, drafting zoning code text, and drafting policy changes. Each of these will include additional community engagement opportunities.
Share Your Feedback
We want to hear from you! Please share your comments, questions, and suggestions to help modernize our development review process. All responses are welcome and will be reviewed by the project team.
This form includes some optional demographic questions. Completion of these questions is not required. The City of Boston is committed to equity and inclusion, and the provided demographic information will help ensure that we reach the range of different people who live in our community.