Mission Statement

The Historical Commission works to protect the historic character of buildings and their settings in the Town's seven local historic districts through the review of plans for new construction; additions; renovation or restoration; signage; sheds; fencing and stone walls. All work visible from a public way within a local historic district requires a Certificate of Appropriateness, or administrative review from the Commission before a building or sign permit can be granted by any town department.

The Historical Commission works to preserve Falmouth's historic resources through activities such as: surveys; nominates building and sites to the National Register of Historic Places; administer Chapter 107 the demolition delay bylaw and the List of Significant Buildings (for structures outside of the 7 LHD); advises the Board of Selectmen, the Planning Board, and the Zoning Board of Appeals on preservation issues; review proposals involving federal or state funding that could affect historic buildings. The Commission published The Book of Falmouth, a history of the town. 

The Historical Commission was combined with the Historic Districts Commission, now known as the Falmouth Historical Commission, during November 2016 Town Meeting which required the Town Charter to be amended by a vote of the town in May of 2017.  The combined Commission is established under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40C, the Historic Districts Act; Chapter 40C grants the Falmouth Historical Commission the power of design review in Falmouth's seven Historic Districts and the advisory planning role established under Chapter 40, section 8D of the General Laws of Massachusetts. There are five members and two alternates appointed by the Board of Selectmen.

Applicants are directed to contact the Historical Commission through the Planning Office at 508-495-7440, or planning@falmouthma.gov if they have any questions related to applications for Certificate of Appropriateness, Administrative Approvals, Buildings on the List of Significant Buildings and Demolition Delay.

Complete applications must be submitted to the Planning Department at 4:00pm by the Application Submittal Deadline in order to appear at the next scheduled meeting of the Historical Commission. This requires all application materials:  application, addendum, certified abutters list and mailing labels, application fee, and required application materials.