CityOfBoston Official An official website of the City of Boston

This is the website for the City of Boston’s new Planning Department, which launched on July 1. The staff and many responsibilities of the Boston Planning & Development Agency have moved to the Planning Department of the City of Boston including planning & zoning, urban design, development review, and real estate divisions. Please excuse any misalignment you may see on our site as we transition to the City. Learn more

The Planning & Zoning Division is comprised of three teams:

  • Comprehensive Planning - This team works with Boston's communities to create long-term plans that help foster the development of attractive, safe, diverse, and economically thriving places to live, work, and play. Planning efforts engage local residents, businesses, other City of Boston departments, and institutions to consider and guide Boston's unique neighborhoods towards the future. Learn more >
  • Zoning Reform - The Zoning Reform Team focuses on strategically revising, maintaining, and updating the Boston Zoning Code to align it with the City’s policy goals. Each zoning initiative includes research, engagement, and vetting before being advanced to the Planning Board and Boston Zoning Commission. In addition, staff write recommendations to the Zoning Board of Appeal when requests for zoning relief are made by property owners. Learn more >
  • Transportation & Site Compliance - This team reviews development proposals to ensure that they comply with the Boston Zoning Code, support neighborhood mobility needs, and champion policy recommendations from plans. This team collaborates with other Planning Department teams and City of Boston departments to support the design, preservation, enhancement, and growth of neighborhoods through the application of the zoning regulations, implementation of Boston’s Complete Street Guidelines and incorporation of sustainable infrastructure recommendations. Learn more >

Planning & Zoning Division Leadership

Aimee Chambers, AICP
Planning & Zoning Director
Send an email ✉

Emma Hunter
Assistant to the Director
Send an email ✉

Caitlin Coppinger
Deputy Director of Comprehensive Planning
Send an email ✉
Comprehensive Planning Team page

James Fitzgerald, MUPP
Deputy Director of Transportation Compliance
Send an email ✉
Transportation and Site Compliance Team page

Kathleen Onufer, AICP
Deputy Director of Zoning
Send an email ✉
Zoning Reform Team page

Ted Schwartzberg, AICP
Assistant Deputy Director of Site Compliance
Send an email ✉
Transportation and Site Compliance Team page

Contact Us!

For general inquiries contact [email protected]
Or call 617.918.4472