Public Improvement Commission
The Commission owns and manages Boston’s public and private rights-of-way. We play an important role in the City’s urban development and permitting.
The Public Improvement Commission (PIC) was formally established in 1954, and is derived from the original Board of Alderman, which later delegated certain powers to the Board of Street Commissioners. The PIC is an independent body managed by the Public Works Department. Members of the Commission include:
- Commissioner of the Public Works Department, who is the Chairperson of the Commission
- Commissioners of the Property Management, Inspectional Services, and Transportation Departments, as well as the Disabilities Commission
- Executive Director of Boston Water and Sewer Commission
- Chief Engineer
- Executive Secretary, and
- administrative personnel.
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Have questions? Contact us:
Our responsibilities
If you want to use public space for your business venture, you need our approval. Our work includes many responsibilities:
- We order the creation, repair, adjusting, or renaming of highways.
- We call for the construction of sewers and storm drains.
- We use eminent domain to take land for the City, except housing and off-street parking.
- We levy taxes for betterment projects involving the street, sidewalks, and sewers.
COVID-19 update: Due to ongoing public health concerns, the Public Improvement Commission's hearing schedule is subject to change. Please refer to our notice for additional information.
The Public Improvement Commission meets every two weeks on Thursday at 10 a.m. in City Hall, room 801. The filing deadline for all projects to be considered on a PIC New Business agenda is the Thursday prior to the desired hearing date. To be added to our weekly hearing notification list, please send an email to PIC@boston.gov.
Documents for new developments
Related documentsThese are the templates and examples that are generally used with all of the other plans shown in the different sections below.
These are the different documents that should be used so your Line and Grade plans are successfully put through.
These are the different documents that should be used so your Layout plans are successfully put through.
These are the different documents that should be used so your Widening and Relocation plans are successfully put through.
These are the different documents that should be used so your Discontinuance plans are successfully put through.
These are the different documents that should be used so your Abandonment plans are successfully put through.
These are the different documents that should be used so your Easement plans are successfully put through.
These are the different documents that should be used so your Specific Repairs plans are successfully put through.
These are the different documents that should be used so your Projections plans are successfully put through.
These are the different documents that should be used so your Sidewalk Cafe plans are successfully put through.
These are the different documents that should be used so your Earth Retention Systems plans are successfully put through.
These are the different documents that should be used so your Grant of Location plans are successfully put through.
These are the different documents that should be used so your Street Name Change plans are successfully put through.
These are the different documents that should be used so your Areaway plans are successfully put through.
These are the different documents that should be used so your Monitoring Wells plans are successfully put through.
Contact Lists
ContactsPublic Works Design Standards
Design StandardsDriveway Curb Cuts
Our staff takes part in the review of Curb Cut applications. We are one of many reviewers.
The review process is managed and tracked by the Public Works permitting office, located at Boston City Hall in room 715. The Public Works curb cut application package includes:
- The application form
- Design guidelines
- Submission requirements.
Site plans
As of November 1, 2017, we no longer have a role in site plan reviews. Instead, the review process through Public Works is as follows:
1. Your engineer should add this note to all site plans: "The finished floor elevation (FFE) is to be higher than any adjacent public sidewalk.”
2. Your engineer should highlight all public sidewalks next to the property. They should also write down the surface material. Example materials include cement concrete, brick, or asphalt. Also, they should note the public sidewalk width, as well as linear feet of property frontage.
3. After the Boston Water and Sewer Commission has approved these site plans, your contractor should deliver one full-size (to-scale) set to the Public Works Permitting office. The office is located in Boston City Hall, room 715. These plans must show the highlighted and dimensioned sidewalk areas. Public Works Permitting will determine the sidewalk deposit amount. They will also issue the Sidewalk Deposit permit.
4. To be considered for an Erection or Alteration permit, you must give these documents to Inspectional Services at 1010 Massachusetts Avenue:
- site plans approved by the Boston Water and Sewer Commission, and
- a copy of the Public Works Sidewalk Deposit permit.
Commission Info
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Department:
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Authority:City
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Term:
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Stipend:No
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Total Seats:6
Current members
| Member | Appointed | Expires | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jascha Franklin-Hodge | Active | ||
| Henry Vitale | Active | ||
| Sean Lydon | Active | ||
| Kristen McCosh | Active | ||
| Nicholas Gove | Active | ||
| Eamon Shelton | Active |
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Have questions? Contact us:
