Services

Our office provides the following services:

• Certificates of Appropriateness
• Certificates of Non Applicability
  (each of the above precedes a building permit)
• Preliminary project discussion and review with the Administrator
• Informal project discussion with the Commission

Responsibilities

The Historic Districts Commission is charged with preserving the historical and architectural legacy of the town by reviewing the appropriateness of all proposed exterior alterations and renovations of historic properties located within the town's local historic districts. The Commission also reviews the design of new construction within a District.

Preserving Hingham's Character

The Historic Districts Commission preserves the unique character of Hingham by serving as a design review board. The Commission consists of 5 members and 5 alternates, all volunteers appointed by the Board of Selectmen. The Historic Districts By-Law requires that the Commission include an architect, 1 designee each from the Planning Board and Historical Society, a resident of an historic district, and one at-large member. The knowledge and expertise of the Commission members in the areas of building and landscape architecture, history, and building preservation have proved invaluable to the owners of historic properties.

Helping Homeowners

The goal of the Historic Districts Commission is to help homeowners identify options to make exterior changes that are historically and architecturally appropriate for the age and style of the house and for the streetscape as a whole. The Commission works with the property owner, the Building Department, the Planning Board, Board of Appeals, Conservation Commission, and other town offices to retain Hingham's rich heritage.