- Home
- Government
- General Administration
- Historic Districts Commission
Historic Districts Commission
ALERT: Permit Applications
As of Friday, April 3, 2020, pursuant to Chapter 53 of the Acts of 2020, notwithstanding any general or special law, rule, regulation, charter, ordinance or by-law to the contrary, during the governor’s March 10, 2020 declaration of a state of emergency, the process for permit applications to permit granting authorities has been modified and timelines for permit application review have been extended.
Please refer to Permit Application Procedures (PDF) (Pursuant to Chapter 53 of the Acts of 2020] for application procedures in effect in the Town of Hingham during the state of emergency. Please note that all application submission requirements, including application fees, remain in full force and effect. All application submission questions should be directed by email to the applicable permit granting authority as set forth in the Permit Application Procedures.
- 3rd Thursday of the month
Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.
View Most Recent Agendas and Minutes | View Minutes 2011 and Older
Members
| Name | Position |
Term Expires |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Collard | Chairman |
2021 |
| Hans von der Luft | Member | 2022 |
| Carol Pyles | Member | 2021 |
| Catherine Daley | Member | 2021 |
| Justin Aborn | Member |
2022 |
| Ben Burnham | Alternate Member | 2020 |
| Tomas Kindler | Alternate Member | 2020 |
| Tracy Shriver | Alternate Member | 2020 |
| Robert Edson | Alternate Member | 2021 |
| Mary Anne Donaldson | Alternate Member | 2023 |
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.