ZONING
The Boston Planning & Development Agency’s (BPDA) role is not to enforce or manage zoning code and requirements. Rather, the BPDA helps to shape zoning code. After public planning processes and dialogue, the BPDA may petition the Boston Zoning Commission (BZC) to adopt changes that reflect the neighborhood planning goals. The BPDA also reviews development projects which are so large or unique that they cannot be reasonably approved using the existing zoning code. When this occurs, the BPDA uses tools such as Article 80 Project Review, Institutional Master Plans (IMPs), and Planned Development Areas (PDAs) to determine the shape, density, and use guidelines. Below are links to documents which are used in their processes.
| DOCUMENT | DESCRIPTION | |
| Zoning Tracker | Quickly search for a specific appeal that has been submitted to the ZBA, or to search for appeals based on criteria such as location or applicant, in order to identify the status of the appeal. | |
| Approved Building Permits | The Inspectional Services Department (ISD) issues building permits for construction projects within the City of Boston. Various projects require different types of applications, and work | |
| BPDA Glossary | Boston Planning Development Agency Glossary of terms | |
| ARTICLE 80 – DEVELOPMENT REVIEW AND APPROVAL | Large Project Review guidelines; Article 80-E is contained within for Small Projects | |
| Article 80 Accessibility Guidelines and Checklist | All BPDA Small or Large Project Review, including Institutional Master Plan modifications, must complete this Checklist to provide specific detail and data on accessibility. An updated Checklist is required if any project plans change significantly. | |
| A Citizen’s Guide to Development Review Under Article 80 | Citizen participation is vital to the success of development review under Article 80. Members of the public are encouraged to offer their comments and insights on projects in their community. | |
| ARTICLE 60 – GREATER MATTAPAN NEIGHBORHOOD DISTRICT | Article for Greater Mattapan Neighborhood District | |
| ARTICLE 60 – TABLES | Relates to Article 60 | |
| Greater Mattapan District Map – 8A | Part 1 of 3 official zoning maps for Mattapan | |
| Greater Mattapan District Map – 8B | Part 2 of 3 official zoning maps for Mattapan | |
| Greater Mattapan District Map – 8C | Part 3 of 3 official zoning maps for Mattapan | |
| ARTICLE 89 – URBAN AGRICULTURE | Applies where on zoning maps see “Urban Agriculture Overlay District” | |
| Article 89 Made Easy: Urban Agriculture Zoning For The City of Boston | an illustrative guide to help “demystify” the zoning language found in Article 89. | |
| TEXT AMENDMENT NO. 432 | Cannabis Establishments | |
| ZBA-BPDA Design Review | ensures that a design is compatible with the existing character of the immediate neighborhood | |
| A Pattern Book of Boston Houses | New or rehabilitated residential buildings should reflect and complement the patterns of height, siting, and architectural character of the surrounding residential structures. Applicants are encouraged to consult the reference work | |
| PROCESS: PERMITTING AND ZONING APPEAL FOR DEVELOPMENTS | one-pager is to help inform residents about the process any development must go through and where the community voice is taken into consideration | |
| Boston Inclusionary Development Policy (IDP): Project Review Process, Projects Requiring Zoning Relief* | Under IDP, developers may include affordable units within their developments (on-site), create affordable housing in an off-site location, or make a cash contribution towards the creation or preservation of affordable housing. | |
| Imagine Boston 2030 | Citywide plan | |
| BPDA Mattapan Neighborhood Profile, July 2017 | ||
| Zoning Viewer | find zoning by addresses | |
| Boston Complete Streets | ||
| Analyze Boston | City of Boston’s open data hub | |
| Zoning Board of Appeal Decisions | ZBA Decisions from 2017 – 2019 | |
| ZONING ENABLING ACT AMENDMENT |