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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

  • Sep
    30
    Historical Commission Architectural Committee meeting
    9:00 am to 12:00 pm
    Online via Zoom

    Historical Commission Architectural Committee meeting

    September 30, 2025
    9:00 am to 12:00 pm, 3 hours
    Online via Zoom
    map
    The Architectural Committee will hold its September 30, 2025 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 September 30.
    Link: Architectural Committee meeting, September 30
    Passcode: 009015

    To listen to the meeting live on the telephone, call this number on September 30.
    Telephone Number: 267-831-0333
    Webinar ID: 862 5383 7991#
    Participant ID: #
    Passcode: 009015#

    To offer written comments prior to the meeting, send an email to preservation@phila.gov by noon on September 29.

    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.
  • Oct
    10
    Historical Commission monthly meeting
    9:00 am to 2:00 pm
    1515 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA

    Historical Commission monthly meeting

    October 10, 2025
    9:00 am to 2:00 pm, 5 hours
    1515 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
    map
  • Oct
    15
    Historical Commission Committee on Historic Designation meeting
    9:30 am to 12:00 pm
    Online via Zoom

    Historical Commission Committee on Historic Designation meeting

    October 15, 2025
    9:30 am to 12:00 pm, 3 hours
    Online via Zoom
    map

Resources


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