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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

Sign up to receive email updates from the Historical Commission.

Events

  • May
    20
    Historical Commission Committee on Historic Designation meeting
    9:30 am to 2:00 pm
    Zoom

    Historical Commission Committee on Historic Designation meeting

    May 20, 2026
    9:30 am to 2:00 pm, 5 hours
    Zoom
    map
    Property owners, nominators, and 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.

    • To join with a device, go to this link on May 20, 2026.
    Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82269287057?pwd=3A3nyxpiqZd3Tifc2THGaDPeZoaHlK.1
    Password: 063994

    • To join by telephone, call 1-267-831-0333 on May 20, 2026.
    Webinar ID: 822 6928 7057#
    Participant ID: #
    Password: 063994#

    • To email comments, send them to preservation@phila.gov by noon on May 19, 2026

    The meeting materials are available on the Historical Commission’s website. Please note that the remote public meeting will be recorded. By participating in the meeting, you are consenting to be recorded. A link to the recording of the meeting will be placed here on the website after the meeting.
  • May
    26
    Historical Commission Architectural Committee meeting
    9:00 am to 12:00 pm
    Online via Zoom

    Historical Commission Architectural Committee meeting

    May 26, 2026
    9:00 am to 12:00 pm, 3 hours
    Online via Zoom
    map
    The Architectural Committee will hold its May 26, 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, use the link below:
    Link: Architectural Committee meeting, May 26
    Passcode: 496625

    To listen to the meeting live on the telephone, call this number:
    Telephone Number: 267-831-0333
    Webinar ID: 847 7055 0249#
    Participant ID: #
    Passcode: 496625#

    To offer written comments prior to the meeting, send an email to preservation@phila.gov by noon on May 22.

    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.
  • Jun
    12
    Historical Commission monthly meeting
    9:00 am to 2:00 pm
    1515 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA

    Historical Commission monthly meeting

    June 12, 2026
    9:00 am to 2:00 pm, 5 hours
    1515 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
    map

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