View the District Map

Read the approved Historic District Review Standards

The Chelmsford Center Historic District Commission was established under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40C, and is independent of the Chelmsford Historical Commission.

It is comprised of not less than three and not more than seven volunteers,  who are appointed by the Town Manager, and approved by the Board of Selectmen for a 3-year term.

Members are listed in the Historic District Commission section of the Town Officials directory, and phone / mail contact information may be found there.

The purposes of the Historic District are:

• To preserve and protect the distinctive characteristics of buildings and places significant in the history of the Commonwealth and its cities and towns.

• To improve and maintain the settings of those buildings and places.

• To encourage new designs compatible with existing buildings in the district.

Read the approved Historic District Review Standards

• The purpose of the Standards is to guide rehabilitation and construction in the historic districts in the Town of Chelmsford in order to preserve and protect the distinctive characteristics of buildings and places significant in the history and architectural heritage of the town.

• The goal is to minimize reliance on the individual tastes and preferences of those who happen to be awarding permits and instead set up clear rules that everyone will understand.

Two forms are available here for printout in PDF format:

Application for Certificate of Appropriateness
(Other than Signs)

Application for Certificate of Appropriateness
(Signs)

• Please submit the completed application at least two weeks prior to attendance at a Historic District Commission meeting.

• District meetings are held on the first Monday of every month, except on Holidays.

• Please check the Chelmsford Meeting Calendar before attending.

Read the background documents for the District:

• The Feb, 1975 Preliminary Report details plans for establishing the District.

• The May, 1975 Final Report recommends acceptance of the proposed bylaw by Town Meeting.

• The National Park Service Nomination Form recommends the Historic District for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places Inventory.

• A detailed map of the Center Historic District.