Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 40C, § 2 (2026)

Purpose

✓ current as of July 2026

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Section 2. The purpose of this chapter is to promote the educational, cultural, economic and general welfare of the public through the preservation and protection of the distinctive characteristics of buildings and places significant in the history of the commonwealth and its cities and towns or their architecture, and through the maintenance and improvement of settings for such buildings and places and the encouragement of design compatible therewith.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 4 cases, 1995–2008 · leading case: Springfield Pres. Trust, Inc. v. Springfield Library & Museums Ass'n, 447 Mass. 408 (Mass. 2006).

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Springfield Pres. Trust, Inc. v. Springfield Library & Museums Ass'n, 447 Mass. 408 (Mass. 2006). · cites it 2× “” G. L. c. 40C, § 2. Within a historic district, buildings or structures may not be constructed or altered in a manner that “affects exterior architectural features” without first submitting the proposed construction or alteration for review by the historic district commission.”

Collins v. Historic Dist. Comm'n, 897 N.E.2d 1281 (Mass. App. Ct. 2008). “Tracking the language of G. L. c. 40C, § 2, the town’s historic district by-law was designed “to promote the educational, cultural, economic and general welfare of the public through the preservation and protection of the distinctive characteristics of buildings and places…”

Jarrett v. Springfield Library & Museums Ass'n, 16 Mass. L. Rptr. 200 (Mass. Super. Ct. 2003). “According to G.L.c. 40C, §2, the purpose of the Historic Districts Act is to promote the educational, cultural, economic and general welfare of the public through the preservation and protection of the distinctive characteristics of buildings and places significant in the…”

Federated Church v. Historic Dist. Comm'n, 4 Mass. L. Rptr. 212 (Mass. Super. Ct. 1995). “See generally G.L.c. 40C, §§2, 6, 7, 10 & ll. 1 In October of 1993, the Church 2 applied to the Commission for permission to make certain renovations to the Parish House that would bring the house into conformity with the current building code and would add to it a second story.”

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