The Development Review tab of the https://somervillezoning.com website provides guidance on what permitting path will be necessary based on the type(s) of development you are proposing. You can also find a Quick Start Guide at that link that will help you collect the initial information needed to get started with the process. Did this answer your question? Please select yes or no from the pull down below.

Congratulations! Staff are happy to hear that you have a project that you would like to bring forward for permitting. To begin the process, please go to the Development Review tab of the https://somervillezoning.com website and follow the instructions to fill out an application. Cases are assigned to planners on a bi-weekly basis, and once your case has been assigned, staff will reach out to discuss your plans and set up a pre-submittal meeting. Did this answer your question? Please select yes or no from the pull down below.

If you are in the Neighborhood Residence or Urban Residence district and proposing development permitted by-right, you should reach out to the Inspectional Services Department, and ask to speak with a Zoning Review Planner regarding your parcel. You can reach them at isd@somervillema.gov or by calling (617) 625-6600, ext 5600. For development in all other zoning districts, consult the chapter in the Ordinance found at https://somervillezoning.com for the standards and regulations applicable to that district. If you have questions regarding these standards, you can use the form at https://tinyurl.com/AskAPlanner to request further information, ask a question, or request a meeting with Planning & Zoning Division Staff. Please be advised that neither ISD nor P&Z staff can provide real estate investment or advisory services, due diligence research, or evaluations of zoning compliance for proposals prior to the submission of a complete application. Did this answer your question? Please select yes or no from the pull down below.

Check the document at https://tinyurl.com/PZPurview to determine if the application will be processed by the Planning & Zoning Division or by the Inspectional Services Department. For applications processed by Planning & Zoning, you can use your P&Z tracking number to check the status on the dashboard found at https://tinyurl.com/PZCaseStatus where you can also find the name of the planner assigned to your case. For applications processed by the Inspectional Services Department, you can reach out to them at isd@somervillema.gov or by calling (617) 625-6600, ext 5600. Did this answer your question? Please select yes or no from the pull down below.

Plans, application materials, staff memorandums, and decisions for most recent cases can be found at https://tinyurl.com/ReportsAndDecisions Did this answer your question? Please select yes or no from the pull down below.

Plans, application materials, staff memorandums, and decisions for most recent Historic Preservation Commission cases can be found at https://tinyurl.com/HPCReportsAndDecisions Did this answer your question? Please select yes or no from the pull down below.

The Planning & Zoning Division maintains a list of all Local Historic Districts in the city, searchable by address. You can access this list by going to https://tinyurl.com/LocalHistDistricts Did this answer your question? Please select yes or no from the pull down below.

You can use https://tinyurl.com/HPCAlterApplication to find an application for permission to make alterations (repairs, alterations, or additions) to a Local Historic District structure, and you can find application instructions at https://tinyurl.com/HPCAppInstructions. If you have questions about the City's Historic District Ordinance, you can use the form found at https://tinyurl.com/AskAPlanner to request information, ask a question, or request a meeting with Preservation staff. Did this answer your question? Please select yes or no from the pull down below.

You can use https://tinyurl.com/HPCDemoApplication to find the application form for the Demolition Review process, and you can find application instructions at https://tinyurl.com/HPCAppInstructions. If you have questions about the Demolition Review Ordinance, demolition application requirements, or the Historic Preservation Commission review process, you can use the form found at https://tinyurl.com/AskAPlanner to request information, ask a question, or request a meeting with Preservation staff. Did this answer your question? Please select yes or no from the pull down below.

The Inspectional Services Department may be able to assist with documenting zoning compliance or obtaining zoning verification letters. For assistance, you can reach out to ISD at isd@somervillema.gov or by calling (617) 625-6600, ext 5600. Did this answer your question? Please select yes or no from the pull down below.

The Inspectional Services Department, not the Planning & Zoning Division, is responsible for inspections indicated by "Planning & Zoning" on Citizenserve. To schedule an inspection with one of the ISD Zoning Review Planners, you can reach out to isd@somervillema.gov or by calling (617) 625-6600, ext 5600. Did this answer your question? Please select yes or no from the pull down below.

You can use the Zoning Atlas (found at https://tinyurl.com/SomZoneAtlas) to identify the zoning district for your parcel. The Atlas can also help you identify whether there are other factors, such as an Overlay District, Transit Area, or Pedestrian Street Frontage, that may impact your parcel. Did this answer your question? Please select yes or no from the pull down below.

The Building Official has determined the Building Type for every building in the city as of 2019. Please use the form found at https://tinyurl.com/AskAPlanner to provide your address and staff will be happy to confirm the Building Type for your building. The Somerville Zoning Ordinance, available online as a searchable pdf at www.somervillezoning.com, provides further information about Building Types. Did this answer your question? Please select yes or no from the pull down below.

The Inspectional Services Department, not the Planning & Zoning Division, is responsible for reviewing and approving applications for CZCs, Building Permits, and Certificates of Occupancy. For information about these permits, you can reach out to them at isd@somervillema.gov or by calling (617) 625-6600, ext 5600. Did this answer your question? Please select yes or no from the pull down below.

"Planning & Zoning" on Citizenserve actually refers to the ISD Zoning Review Planner, not to the OSPCD Planning & Zoning Division. We're sorry that the labeling in Citizenserve doesn't make this as clear as it could be. For information about ISD Zoning Review, you can reach out to isd@somervillema.gov or by calling (617) 625-6600, ext 5600. Did this answer your question? Please select yes or no from the pull down below.

Unfortunately, Staff are not able to provide evaluations of or recommendations for professional advice to assist in the process of developing a property. You can review the documents for previous projects posted at https://tinyurl.com/ReportsAndDecisions to browse the work of teams who have proposed projects in the city, and consult the Better Business Bureau (https://www.bbb.org/) or other review services to obtain reviews for local design, construction, and legal services. Did this answer your question? Please select yes or no from the pull down below.

The City does not maintain plot plans for private properties. The Planning & Zoning Division and Inspectional Services Department may have a certified plot plan on file from previous work done for a particular site, but cannot guarantee that those documents show current or correct information about the parcel. If you do not already have access to a certified plot plan for your parcel, you will need to hire a surveyor licensed in the state of Massachusetts to take measurements on site and produce a plot plan for you. Be sure to specify that the plan provides the dimensions of the lot and locates all built elements (main building, accessory buildings, patios, and paving) on the site. Did this answer your question? Please select yes or no from the pull down below.

Unless permission is needed to alter or add to a structure to enable the creation of new units, the Planning & Zoning Division is not involved in the condominium conversion process. For information about the Condominium Conversion Ordinance, the Condominium Review Board, and for application forms and instructions, please visit the website for the Condominium Review Board at https://www.somervillema.gov/departments/condominium-review-board Did this answer your question? Please select yes or no from the pull down below.