The initial beta applies to building projects from 20,000 through 50,000 square feet. Applicants should expect one assigned city staff member to remain involved from project initiation through the building permit, along with consolidated review periods and stated deadlines.
The city says the process is intended to reduce conflicting departmental guidance and make approval timing more predictable. Because this is a beta, procedures may change as Boston tests the system and gathers applicant feedback.
Boston plans to expand the revised process to buildings of 50,000 square feet and above in 2027. The September 30 notice does not give a separate application deadline; project-specific questions can be sent to permittingtransformation@boston.gov.