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Philadelphia Historical Commission

What we do

As part of the Department of Planning and Development, the Philadelphia Historical Commission protects the City’s historic resources. Together with its advisory committees, the commission:

The commission staff reviews building permit applications and nominations to the register. When needed, they forward applications to the appropriate committee. The staff:

  • Approves over 90% of building permit applications without referral to a committee.
  • Informs the public about the commission’s rules and processes.
  • Gives advice on preservation techniques.
  • Helps the public research the history of their properties.

Connect

Address
1515 Arch St.
13th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Email preservation@phila.gov
Phone
TTY: (215) 683-0286
Social

Get updates from the Historical Commission

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Events

  • Feb
    24
    Historical Commission Architectural Committee meeting
    9:00 am to 12:00 pm
    Online via Zoom

    Historical Commission Architectural Committee meeting

    February 24, 2026
    9:00 am to 12:00 pm, 3 hours
    Online via Zoom
    map
    The Architectural Committee will hold its February 24, 2026 meeting remotely using the Zoom Webinar platform. The public may participate in the meeting in three ways: live with a computer, tablet, or smartphone; live with a telephone; and in advance by email.

    The meeting agenda and application materials for the Architectural Committee meeting are available on the Historical Commission's Public Meetings page.

    To watch the meeting live on Zoom using your computer, tablet, or smartphone, click on the following link on February 24:
    Link: Architectural Committee meeting, February 24
    Passcode: 363552

    To listen to the meeting live on the telephone, call this number on February 24:
    Telephone Number: 267-831-0333
    Webinar ID: 829 4824 6082#
    Participant ID: #
    Passcode: 363552#

    To offer written comments prior to the meeting, send an email to preservation@phila.gov by noon on February 23.

    After the meeting, you can watch a recording of the meeting on the Recordings page of the Historical Commission’s website.

    For more information on the remote meeting, see the FAQs for Remote Meeting.
  • Mar
    13
    Historical Commission monthly meeting
    9:00 am to 2:00 pm
    1515 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA

    Historical Commission monthly meeting

    March 13, 2026
    9:00 am to 2:00 pm, 5 hours
    1515 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
    map
  • Mar
    18
    Historical Commission Committee on Historic Designation meeting
    9:30 am to 2:00 pm
    Zoom

    Historical Commission Committee on Historic Designation meeting

    March 18, 2026
    9:30 am to 2:00 pm, 5 hours
    Zoom
    map

Resources


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