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1. What buildings in Brookline are subject to review for demolition delay?

All buildings in Brookline are potentially subject to a demolition delay. If a proposal for work on a building meets the definition of complete or partial demolition, then the building will be reviewed for its historical and architectural significance.

2. What qualifies a project as demolition?

For the most part, demolition includes removing or covering 25% or more of the square footage of the building’s exterior sides and roof, removing or covering one side of a building, removing the roof, or significantly altering the shape of the roof. Please vie the Planning Examples of Partial Demolition illustrative drawings for examples of how partial demolition is determined, and see below for demolition of buildings designated as historic.

3. Who reviews a building for its historical and architectural significance?

If proposed work qualifies a building for demolition delay review, the Preservation Commission staff, with the oversight of the Brookline Preservation Commission, makes an initial determination of historical and architectural significance within 10 business days after a complete application form has been submitted.

4. What happens when a building is assigned an initial determination of significance?

The Preservation Commission will hold a public hearing to determine whether it will uphold the initial determination of significance. If upheld, the commission will impose a demolition delay on the building for a period of up to 12 months, or 18 months for a National or State Register property.

5. How do I know if a National or State Register-listed building requires demolition review?

The definition of demolition is more inclusive for buildings that have local, state or federal historic designations. Demolition of buildings listed, eligible for listing, or with a preliminary determination of eligibility for listing in the State or National Registers of Historic Places or located within State or National Register districts are automatically determined to be initially significant.

Generally, proposed work that includes the systematic removal, effacement or destruction of the exterior architectural elements which define or contribute to the historic character of a building might qualify the project for review. This may include, but is not limited to removing or altering windows, siding, chimneys and decorative elements.

6. What is the process for making changes to my home in a Local Historic District?

For any proposed exterior work on a home located in one of Brookline's Local Historic Districts, you must apply for a Certificate by completing this application. The Preservation staff will work with you to determine which type of Certificate will apply to your type of work and whether this work can be approved at the staff level or will require the approval of the Preservation Commission.  If a building is located in a Local Historic District, the applicant should refer to the Design Guidelines for Local Historic Districts for an understanding of the regulations and guidelines for approved work. In almost all cases, the Preservation Commission will not approve demolition of buildings in Local Historic Districts.

7. What is a demolition delay? Why do I have to wait to demolish my house?

A demolition delay is a hold that prohibits any demolition permits from being issued for a property for a specified amount of time.  In Brookline, a demolition stay is triggered when any full or partial demolition is proposed on a house that is found to be historically/architecturally significant. For most properties, the demolition stay is issued for 12 months.  For properties listed on the National or State Register of Historic Places, the demolition stay is 18 months.

The purpose of a demolition stay is to give the applicant time to consider alternatives to demolition. If an applicant would like to lift their demolition stay early, they can work with the Preservation Commission to submit a design and go through a design review process. The demolition stay thus serves as an incentive for applicants to work with the Commission to improve the quality of new construction or partial new construction.  

8. Where can I find historic images, maps, plans, etc. of my house or any building in Brookline?

The Preservation staff recommends that you try searching online in the MACRIS (Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System) for inventory forms and photos of historic buildings. You can also visit the Brookline Room in the Brookline Public Library for archival information, atlases, town records, etc.