Overview
Draft Zoning Documents
Past Engagement 
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Draft Zoning Amendment

Overview

After two years of research, engagement, and analysis, the Planning Department is preparing to implement changes to improve Boston’s Article 80 Development Review process. This includes new draft zoning amendments that correct outdated language and introduce changes to the Boston Civic Design Commission’s review of projects.

The current zoning article that regulates development review is Article 80. The Boston Civic Design Commission (BCDC) is regulated by Article 28. These are the primary articles modified by this amendment, but other zoning articles will also need to be updated to ensure consistency in cross-references and definitions. 

Draft Zoning Documents

Primary Changes:

• Article 80: Development Review and Approval 

  • Updates the standards for public notice and document distribution to reflect how we work today- posting documents online and sharing them through email newsletters. 

  • Adds in existing policies (like Notice of Project Change) that are part of the review process but aren’t in zoning

• Article 28: Boston Civic Design Commission 

  • Rules for the Boston Civic Design Commission will be moved and renamed Article 81

  • Increases the threshold for the size of projects reviewed from 100,000 square feet to 200,000 square feet

 Supportive Changes

• Article 2: Definitions

  • Move definitions into  an easier-to-use location

• Article 28: Design Review

  • Create a new zoning article that moves existing procedures spread across Article 80 to a new, easier to find location

Zoning Documents

Modernization Zoning Amendment Executive Summary

Modernization Zoning Amendment Summary Document

• English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Cape Verdean Creole, Haitian Creole, Vietnamese.

Amendments

• Modernization Zoning Amendment Article 80

• Modernization Zoning Amendment Article 28

• Modernization Zoning Amendment Supportive Changes

Past Engagement 

Presentation Recordings:

Saturday, May 31, 2025 | 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Thursday, June 5, 2025 | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM 

Slides: English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Haitian Creole, Vietnamese
Notes: Here