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Philadelphia Historical Commission

Notice: The Historical Commission offices are not open for walk-ins. Plan reviews are available via eCLIPSE or by scheduling an in-person appointment. To learn how to participate in our meetings, see our public meetings page.

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
TTY: (215) 683-0286
Social

Get updates from the Historical Commission

Sign up to receive email updates from the Historical Commission.

Events

  • Mar
    14
    Historical Commission monthly meeting
    9:00 am to 2:00 pm
    1515 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA

    Historical Commission monthly meeting

    March 14, 2025
    9:00 am to 2:00 pm, 5 hours
    1515 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
    map
    The Philadelphia Historical Commission will resume meeting in person as of its March 14, 2025 meeting. The Historical Commission’s meetings will include a hybrid component so that applicants, property owners, and the public may attend in person or remotely on Zoom. The Historical Commission and its staff will attend in person. 

    The Historical Commission meets on the second Friday of the month in Conference Room 18- 029 on the 18th Floor of the City office building at 1515 Arch Street, across from Love Park at the northeast corner of 16th and Arch Streets. Visitors to the building must go through security in the lobby, including passing through a metal detector and showing a photo ID. Once through security, take the second bank of elevators to the 18th floor. Conference Room 18-029 is straight ahead out of the elevators, at the end of the corridor that runs south.

    Historical Commission on March 14, 2025, 9:00 a.m.
    To participate on Zoom using your computer, tablet, or smartphone, click on the following link: 
    Link: https://bit.ly/HCmar14 
    Passcode: 984086 
    To participate on the telephone, call the following telephone number: 267-831-0333 
    Webinar ID: 885 8380 1528# 
    Participant ID: # 
    Passcode: 984086#
  • Mar
    25
    Historical Commission Architectural Committee meeting
    9:00 am to 12:00 pm
    Online via Zoom

    Historical Commission Architectural Committee meeting

    March 25, 2025
    9:00 am to 12:00 pm, 3 hours
    Online via Zoom
    map
  • Apr
    11
    Historical Commission monthly meeting
    9:00 am to 2:00 pm
    1515 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA

    Historical Commission monthly meeting

    April 11, 2025
    9:00 am to 2:00 pm, 5 hours
    1515 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
    map

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