Massachusetts General Laws
Chapter 40c - Historic Districts
Section 5 - Definitions

Section 5. As used in this chapter the word ''altered'' includes the words ''rebuilt'', ''reconstructed'', ''restored'', ''removed'' and ''demolished'' and the phrase ''changed in exterior color''; the word ''building'' means a combination of materials forming a shelter for persons, animals or property; the word ''commission'' means the commission acting as the historic district commission; the word ''constructed'' includes the words ''built'', ''erected'', ''installed'', ''enlarged'', and ''moved''; the words ''exterior architectural feature'' means such portion of the exterior of a building or structure as is open to view from a public street, public way, public park or public body of water, including but not limited to the architectural style and general arrangement and setting thereof, the kind, color and texture of exterior building materials, the color of paint or other materials applied to exterior surfaces and the type and style of windows, doors, lights, signs and other appurtenant exterior fixtures; the words ''person aggrieved'' mean the applicant, an owner of adjoining property, an owner of property within the same historic district as property within one hundred feet of said property lines and any charitable corporation in which one of its purposes is the preservation of historic structures or districts; and the word ''structure'' means a combination of materials other than a building, including a sign, fence, wall, terrace, walk or driveway.

Structure Massachusetts General Laws

Massachusetts General Laws

Part I - Administration of the Government

Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts

Chapter 40c - Historic Districts

Section 1 - Citation

Section 2 - Purpose

Section 3 - Establishment of Historic Districts; Pre-Requisites; Enlargement or Reduction of Boundaries; Amendment of Creating Ordinance; Filing of Maps

Section 4 - Study Committees; Commissions; Establishment; Membership; Terms; Vacancies; Compensation; Officers

Section 5 - Definitions

Section 6 - Certificates of Appropriateness, Non-Applicability or Hardship; Necessity; Applications and Plans, etc.; Building and Demolition Permits Restricted

Section 7 - Factors to Be Considered by Commission

Section 8 - Review Authority of Commission Over Certain Categories of Buildings, Structures or Exterior Architectural Features Limited; Authorization

Section 9 - Maintenance, Repair or Replacement.

Section 10 - Additional Powers, Functions and Duties of Commission

Section 11 - Approval or Disapproval of Exterior Architectural Features by Commission; Meetings; Applications for Certificates; Public Hearings; Notices

Section 12 - Review Procedure Provided by Local Ordinance or By-Law

Section 12a - Appeal to Superior Court

Section 13 - Jurisdiction of Superior Court; Penalty

Section 14 - Powers and Duties of Commissions Established as Historical Commissions

Section 15 - Filing of Ordinances, Maps, Reports, Etc.

Section 16 - Special Historic Districts; Acceptance and Effect of This Chapter

Section 17 - Severability