Blog ·
Boston zoning and nearby precedents, together on the Map
For Boston architects, developers and real estate attorneys, an early site question rarely ends with the zoning district. What does the code allow? What is on the lot today? What has happened on nearby sites? Stratum brings the City of Boston zoning viewer’s map layers, assessor information, ZBA decisions and BPDA Article 80 project records into one research view.
Start with an address on the Map tab. Open a parcel, review its details, then switch between Zoning and Precedents without losing the surrounding neighborhood. The short walkthrough below shows that workflow.
Zoning and existing conditions, side by side
The Zoning tab lines up the parcel’s zoning rules with approximate existing conditions from city map data. Use district and overlay layers to understand the map context, and the parcel details for assessor information. Follow through to the district guides when you need the fuller tables and footnotes.
These measurements are approximate, not a survey. Verify existing conditions against a survey and applicable requirements against the Boston Zoning Code and the relevant city authority before relying on them.
Nearby cases, with the records behind them
Open Precedents to explore nearby ZBA cases and BPDA Article 80 project records in a list and on the map. Use Radius, Decision and Decided to narrow the results, then open View case details to read the record. ZBA decisions and Article 80 project records are different sources, not interchangeable approvals.
Precedents help frame research questions; they do not predict outcomes or guarantee relief. Confirm case details and the status of any project against the linked source records.
Permit activity adds another layer of context
The Permit heat map colors buildings by time since their last significant permit in the available city records. Its legend explains the buckets, and the heat layer dims while precedent markers are shown so the cases stay readable. It is a view of recorded activity, not a measure of development potential or proof that a building is unchanged.
The video shows the signed-in beta experience. The public Map preview lets you inspect up to three properties without an account; advanced tools such as the permit heat map follow the current plan access.