Newton Historical Commission (NHC)

What is the Newton Historical Commission (NHC)?

In 1975 the City of Newton established the Newton Historical Commission under Massachusetts General Laws chapter 40, section 8D for the preservation, promotion and development of the historical or archaeological assets of the City.

The Newton Historical Commission is the City of Newton’s advisory body on preservation matters. It also designates and manages changes to Newton City Landmarks, manages alterations to properties with Preservation Restrictions, manages the Demolition Delay Ordinance and comments on projects and provides advice from a preservation perspective.

Current (2026): Submission Dates, Agendas, Minutes, Meeting Recordings & Materials

2026 Meeting Dates	Submission Deadline	Agenda	Minutes	Materials	Recordings
January 22	January 1	Agenda	Minutes	Staff Memo	Zoom
February 26	February 5	Agenda	Minutes	Staff Memo	Zoom
March 26	March 5	Agenda	Minutes	Staff Memo	Zoom
April 23	April 2	Agenda	Minutes	Staff Memo	Zoom
May 28	May 7	Agenda	Minutes	Staff Memo	Zoom
June 25	June 4	Agenda	Minutes	Staff Memo	Zoom
July 23	July 2	Agenda	Minutes	Staff Memo	Zoom
August 27	August 6	Agenda	Minutes	Staff Memo	Zoom
September 24	September 3	Agenda	Minutes	Staff Memo	Zoom
October 22	October 1	Agenda	Minutes	Staff Memo	Zoom
November 19	October 29	Agenda	Minutes	Staff Memo	Zoom
December 17	November 26	Agenda	Minutes	Staff Memo	Zoom

Commission Members

Interested in becoming a Commissioner? Apply Here!

Member	Member Status
Doug Cornelius	Chair
Mark Armstrong	Vice Chair
Nancy Grissom	Member
Harvey Schorr	Member
Ann Marie Stein	Member
Scott Friedman	Member
Vacant	--
Travis Salters	Alternate Member

Resources:

Demolition Submission Process

Click for a PDF version of the Demolition Process flow chart

Total or Partial Demolition Path

You are demolishing or partially demolishing a 50+ year old structure

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Submit a Historical Review Application via NewGov

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Staff Completeness Review: Monitor your email and application portal — incomplete applications will not move forward and may eventually be rejected.

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What type of application are you submitting?

Total or Partial Demolition

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Preservation Planner evaluates historic significance

Not Historically Significant

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COMPLETE

No Further Historic Review

Proceed with standard City permitting only. Decision valid for 2 years.

Historically Significant

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NEXT STEP

Scheduled for Commission Meeting

Staff present the property; you have an opportunity to speak; Commission votes.

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Commission Vote: Is the property found Preferably Preserved?

No: Not Preferably Preserved

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Demolition Permitted

Valid 2 years from decision date.

Yes: Preferably Preserved

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DELAY APPLIED

Demolition Delay Applied

12 months: non-National Register
18 months: National Register properties

Waiver of Demolition Delay

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Waiver Requirements

Allows demolition before the 12/18-month period ends
For Total Demolitions: may be requested at least 4 months after the "Preferably Preserved" finding
For Partial Demolitions: may be requested at the same meeting as the Preferably Preserved finding
Commission must review and approve the waiver request

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OUTCOME

Commission Review of Waiver

If approved, demolition may proceed before the delay period expires.

FAQs

Click for a PDF version of the Newton Historical Commission FAQs

What is the Newton Historical Commission?

In 1975 the City of Newton established the Newton Historical Commission under Massachusetts General Laws chapter 40, section 8D for the preservation, promotion and development of the historical or archaeological assets of the City. The Newton Historical Commission is the City of Newton's advisory body on preservation matters. It also designates and manages changes to Newton City Landmarks, manages alterations to properties with Preservation Restrictions, manages the Demolition Delay Ordinance and comments on projects and provides advice from a preservation perspective outside of the Historic Districts.

What is the process for altering a property that is designated as a Local Landmark?

If your property is designated as a Newton City Landmark you must submit a Local Landmark Review Application online on NewGov for any changes to the property, buildings or structures. Each individual Landmark has specific review guidelines, but approval from the Newton Historical Commission is required before any exterior work can begin.

What is the process for altering a property with a Preservation Restriction?

If your property has a Preservation Restriction you must submit a Preservation Restriction Review Application online on NewGov for any changes to the property, buildings or structures. The restriction for each property is different, and specifies what work may or may not be allowed, but approval from the Newton Historical Commission is required before any exterior work can begin.

What should I expect from the Demolition Review process?

First, submit a Historical Review Application online through NewGov. Staff will first review the application for completeness. Be sure to monitor your email or application portal for any revision requests. Incomplete applications will not move forward and may eventually be rejected. Once complete, a Preservation Planner evaluates the property for historic significance.

If the property is found Not Historically Significant, you have completed the historical review process and may proceed with other required permits.
If the property is found Historically Significant, it will be scheduled for a Historical Commission meeting. At the meeting, staff will briefly introduce the property, and the applicant will have an opportunity to speak. The Commission will then vote.

If, at the meeting, the property is found Preferably Preserved, a demolition delay will be applied:

12 months for non-National Register properties
18 months for National Register–listed properties

Do I need approval to demolish a garage or shed?

Yes. Any building that is 50 years old or older, including garages and sheds, must be reviewed before demolition or partial demolition.

What is a Waiver of Demolition Delay?

A waiver allows demolition to proceed before the demolition delay period ends. Ultimately, you don't have to wait the full 12 or 18 months to proceed with a demolition, whether partial or full.

For full demolitions, a waiver cannot be granted until at least four months have passed since the property was found Preferably Preserved. The Commission must review and approve the waiver request.
For partial demolitions, plans can be presented at the meeting where the Commission found the property preferably preserved. They may decide to approve the same night or request changes and continue the application. You will be able to revise the design and return to the commission at the next scheduled meeting.

What do I need to prepare for the hearing?

You, or a representative of the application, should be prepared to share screen on Zoom, show application materials, and present. The Preservation Planner will be prepared to share in the event that you experience technical difficulties. Once you complete the presentation, the commissioners will ask initial questions or make initial comments, the chair will then open the floor to the public for questions and comments, and lastly, the commission will have a final discussion and render a decision.

How long are Historical Commission decisions valid?

If a demolition delay was applied, the decision is valid for two years after the delay ends. If the property was found Not Historically Significant or Not Preferably Preserved, the decision is valid for two years from the decision date. After two years, a new application is required, and the Commission will conduct a new review. Please note that the new decision made by the commission may or may not be the same as the initial decision, and a new demolition delay may be placed on the property.

What happens if the property is sold during or after the review process?

If the property is under a demolition delay and ownership changes, the delay period restarts under the new owner. If the delay period has expired and the property is sold, the new owner must submit a new application which would restart the process. If the property was found Not Historically Significant or Not Preferably Preserved, the decision remains valid for the new owner, as long as it has not expired.

Do I need to apply for Historical Review if I am only building an addition?

Yes. Outside of the Historic Districts, additions may qualify as a partial demolition if they involve:

Removal of 50% or more of the roof, or
Removal or enclosure of 50% or more of an exterior wall

For National Register properties, removal of significant architectural (character-defining) features also requires review.

Project Checklist

NHC

Newton Historical Commission Checklist: Demolitions

For demolition of any 50+ year old structure, including garages and sheds

Click for a PDF version of the Demolition Checklist

Who needs to submit? Any owner proposing to demolish (totally or partially) any building or structure 50+ years old — including garages, sheds, etc. Submit via NewGov.

Total Demolition

of any type of structure including garages, sheds, etc.

Photos of affected structure

Photos of neighborhood

Assessor's map

Proof of ownership record (deed)

If owned by an LLC, Trust, or similar — proof of membership information

If application is submitted by a 3rd party — signed Property Owners Authorization Form

Partial Demolition

of any type of structure including garages, sheds, etc.

Includes all Total Demolition documents above, plus:

Existing and proposed evaluation drawings

Proposed site plan

Material information

Waiver of Demolition Delay

4 months after delay put on

Proposed elevation drawings

Proposed site plan

3-D rendering of design

Material information

Photos of affected structure

Proof of ownership record (deed)

If owned by an LLC, Trust, or similar — proof of membership information

If application is submitted by a 3rd party — signed Property Owners Authorization Form

Alteration to Landmarks and Preservation Restriction Process

For properties designated as a Local Landmark or subject to a Preservation Restriction. All applications are submitted online via NewGov. Click for a PDF version of this flow chart.

Are you altering a Landmark or a Preservation Restricted property?

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Landmark

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Submit a Local Landmark Review Application via NewGov

Preservation Restriction

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Submit a Preservation Restriction Review Application via NewGov

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Staff Completeness Review

Monitor your email and application portal — incomplete applications will not move forward and may eventually be rejected.

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Preservation Planner reviews the application and determines whether Commission review is needed

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No Commission Review needed

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Staff-Issued

Certificate of Appropriateness (COA)

The Preservation Planner issues a staff-level COA. Visible alteration found appropriate to the character of the property.

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Commission Review needed

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Newton Historical Commission Hearing

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Commission-Issued

Certificate of Appropriateness (COA)

Visible alteration found appropriate to the character of the property.

Archived Meeting Materials

Note: If you would like earlier materials that aren't in the below archived list, please send an email to historicpreservation@newtonma.gov.

2025

2025 Archived Documents:

Click for 2025 meeting recordings

2024

2024 Archived Documents:

Click for 2024 meeting recordings

2023

2023 Archived Documents:

Click for 2023 meeting recordings

Current (2026): Submission Dates, Agendas, Minutes, Meeting Recordings & Materials

2026 Meeting Dates

Submission Deadline

Agenda

Minutes

Materials

Recordings

January 22

January 1

February 26

February 5

Minutes

March 26

March 5

Minutes

April 23

April 2

Minutes

May 28

May 7

Agenda

Minutes

Staff Memo

Zoom

June 25

June 4

Agenda

Minutes

Staff Memo

Zoom

July 23

July 2

Agenda

Minutes

Staff Memo

Zoom

August 27

August 6

Agenda

Minutes

Staff Memo

Zoom

September 24

September 3

Agenda

Minutes

Staff Memo

Zoom

October 22

October 1

Agenda

Minutes

Staff Memo

Zoom

November 19

October 29

Agenda

Minutes

Staff Memo

Zoom

December 17

November 26

Agenda

Minutes

Staff Memo

Zoom

Commission Members

Resources:

Archived Meeting Materials