Upper Cape · Town guide

Painting a home in Falmouth, MA

The short answer

Hyannis Painting paints homes across Falmouth, from Woods Hole and Falmouth Heights to East, North and West Falmouth and Teaticket. Falmouth has seven local historic districts, and inside them the Historical Commission reviews painting of wooden features, even on buildings that are not historic. Free estimates: (508) 280-1573.

Sources: Falmouth Historic Districts Design Review Guidelines (amended May 2018) · Falmouth Local Historic District Rules and Regulations (rev. 2017)

Free Estimate in Falmouth (508) 280-1573

Falmouth · Upper Cape

Your village

Which part of Falmouth do you live in?

Village names: U.S. Census Bureau, census designated places, 2023 and USGS GNIS.

Paint rules

Do you need approval to paint a house in Falmouth?

Before you hire a painter in Falmouth, check the seven local historic districts: inside them, painting wooden features is reviewed even on buildings that are not historic.

Sources: Falmouth Historic Districts Design Review Guidelines (amended May 2018)

Seven local historic districts: Davisville, Falmouth Village, North Falmouth, Quissett, Waquoit, West Falmouth and Woods Hole. Source: Falmouth Historic Districts Design Review Guidelines (amended May 2018), p. 1
The Historical Commission requires review and approval for painting wooden features of historic and non-historic buildings within the districts. Source: Falmouth Historic Districts Design Review Guidelines (amended May 2018), p. 26
Only ordinary repair and maintenance, or work that is not visible, gets an administrative determination of non-applicability, with photos and a list of colors and materials. Source: Falmouth Local Historic District Rules and Regulations (rev. 2017), p. 6-7
The commission has 60 days; a certificate is valid for 2 years. Source: Falmouth Local Historic District Rules and Regulations (rev. 2017), p. 7
HardiPlank is inappropriate on historic buildings, vinyl and aluminum are not acceptable, and synthetic trim may be considered if it is painted and keeps traditional profiles. Source: Falmouth Historic Districts Design Review Guidelines (amended May 2018), p. 32, 47

Free Estimate in Falmouth

Homes & weather

What should Falmouth homeowners know before painting?

Falmouth's shores include Buzzards Bay along North and West Falmouth, Vineyard Sound and Waquoit Bay. Source: Falmouth Historic Districts Design Review Guidelines (amended May 2018), p. 5, 7, 8

The most common styles are Federal and Greek Revival, with Italianate, Mansard, Queen Anne, Shingle and Colonial Revival Capes, and many buildings sided with unpainted wood shingles. Source: Falmouth Historic Districts Design Review Guidelines (amended May 2018), p. 10, 26

According to the Town of Falmouth

“Our climate on Cape Cod can be harsh and destructive on certain wood species, causing premature rot and insect decay if not constantly and perpetually maintained.”

Source: falmouthma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4822/Falmouth-Guidelines-Final-May-2018-add-alternate-materials

Hyannis Painting

Hyannis Painting understands how the salt air, humidity, and seasonal weather cycles affect paint adhesion and longevity on Cape Cod homes.

Source: hyannispainting.com/service-areas/services-areas-details/falmouth-cape-cod-ma

Questions

Questions Falmouth homeowners ask

My house is on Main Street in Falmouth Village. Do I need the Historical Commission to approve my paint color?

Falmouth Village is one of the town's seven local historic districts, and the Historical Commission requires review and approval for painting wooden features inside them. Ordinary maintenance can get an administrative determination, with photos and a list of colors and materials. Confirm with the commission that your address is inside the district.

Source: Falmouth Historic Districts Design Review Guidelines (amended May 2018)

Can rotted trim on my Woods Hole house be replaced with PVC?

Woods Hole is one of Falmouth's local historic districts. The town guidelines say synthetic trim may be considered if it is painted and keeps traditional profiles, while vinyl and aluminum are not acceptable, so plan on commission review before replacing trim.

Source: Falmouth Historic Districts Design Review Guidelines (amended May 2018)

More about Hyannis Painting in Falmouth.

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