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DC's Most Endangered

DC's Historic Districts

Designation Process
Frequently Asked Questions

Historic Site Inventory

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is an historic district?

Over 30 neighborhoods that vividly illustrate the city's history and physical make up have been designated as historic districts in the District of Columbia.

LeDroit Park, Capital Park, Strivers' Section, Cleveland Park, Takoma Park, Massachusetts Avenue, Anacostia, and Georgetown are among the many historic districts spread throughout the city. They were established for a wide variety of reasons. They may be significant as sites or are important historic events or as outstanding examples of architectural design and workmanship; they may be monumental or simple; they may be commercial or residential. But they all have a special quality worth preserving.

Historic districts reflect pride in the character of neighborhoods and a desire on the part of neighborhoods and the city to protect their assets. Historic districts are an important planning tool for the city, a way to improve the quality of life, and a way to ensure that new development enhances the historic character and scale of a neighborhood.

Historic districts are established after action has been proposed by neighborhood organizations or preservation groups and after careful research and evaluation has taken place. They are legally established under the Historic Landmark and Historic District Protection Act of 1978 (D.C. Law 2-144). This law is the local ordinance that authorizes the designation and protection of historic landmarks and historic districts. While it puts in place a special review process for properties in a historic district, it also recognizes change as an important element in the city's evolution.

How can I find out if my property is in an historic district (or proposed district)?

Call the D.C. Historic Preservation Office (202) 442-8800. It can tell you whether your property falls within the boundaries of an historic district or a proposed one. Providing lot and square number will make the process more efficient. The division's free booklet Historic Districts in Washington, D.C. lists historic districts and describes the significance of each.

What does having a property in an historic district mean for me as a property owner? What kind of changes can I make to my property?

If your property lies within an historic district, the law protects the district by establishing a special review process. This process ensures that proposed work is compatible with the nature of the historic property and with the character of the historic district as a whole.

Plans for new construction, exterior alterations, demolition, or subdivision of land that require a city permit must be reviewed before any action may be taken. This includes actions such as additions to existing buildings, removal of porches, erection of a sign or retaining wall, and additions of antennae or roof decks. Demolition and new construction are also reviewed. Photographs and construction documents will be required for the review process.

When you apply for a permit, your application is automatically forwarded to the D.C. Historic Preservation Office. Plans are reviewed and forwarded to the Historic Preservation Review Board for comment and decision. This 11-member panel is appointed by the mayor and holds monthly public hearings. In some cases, the Commission of Fine Arts, the Old Georgetown Review Board, or the Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation also act as review agencies.

If you have questions, member of the Historic Preservation Division staff can help you. They can interpret regulations, suggest solutions to problems, and explain your part in the review process. Call (202) 442-8800 and ask for a copy of Introduction to Historic Preservation Processes Under District of Columbia Law.

Am I required to restore my property or to get permission for general maintenance or interior work?

You will not be required to make any alterations or changes to your property. Nor will you need permission for any general maintenance work (such as painting) that does not require a city permit. Interior alterations are not reviewed except in special circumstances. Call the D.C. Permit Processing Center at (202) 727-7050 if you have questions about the types of work that do require a permit.

What can I use as guidelines for changes?

The professional staff at the D.C. Historic Preservation Division can consult with you about proposed changes to your property. In your early project planning stages, call them with questions, for advice, or for a copy of The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. These standards are based on a common sense approach to protecting and enhancing historic structures.

What are the benefits to me?

Owning property in an historic district ensures that your neighborhood will be protected from unmanaged change. Because the review process requires public comment, private citizens are given more control over development and alterations in their neighborhood than in areas where no historic district is in place.

In addition, if your property is commercial or income-producing, you may be eligible for significant tax benefits. The Economic Recovery Tax Act of April 1981 (amended in 1986) provides for a 20 percent federal tax credit for rehabilitation work done to historic properties.

There are also federal tax advantages in the form of charitable contribution deductions for owners who donate a historic preservation easement to a charitable organization. For detailed information on either of the programs described above, call the D.C. Historic Preservation Division.

If my neighborhood is proposed for historic designation, do I have any say in whether it is established? What is the process?

Yes. Public comment is an important part of the designation process. By law, property owners in a proposed historic district must be notified of the proposal so they may testify for or against it during hearings of the Historic Preservation Review Board. Neighborhood public forums (including both owners and lessees) to discuss the effect of the proposed designation are also required.

Will the value of my property increase if it becomes part of an historic district? How about my taxes?

These are two of the most frequently asked questions about historic district designation.

Neighborhood change is driven by forces that occur independently of historic district designation. Economic pressures of development and shifting population trends are what generally increase property values. In fact, there are several districts in Washington, D.C., where property values and taxes have not increased, despite long-term historic district status. Among these districts are LeDroit Park and Anacostia.

Won't my neighborhood lose its ethnic character? Will historic district designation mean displacement or gentrification?

Changes in the residential make up of a community are part of the constant evolution of a city. They are caused by a complex set of forces--including new development, ease of transportation, and changing urban lifestyles--not specifically by historic district designation.

Districts are designated for a variety of reasons that relate to the social, architectural, or cultural significance of the area. Historic district designation is designed to protect and enhance the existing character of a community.

Where can I get more information?

In the District of Columbia, the D.C. Historic Preservation Office is your principal point of contact for information and assistance. Call them at (202) 442-8800, visit their website, or write to the:

Historic Preservation Office
801 North Capitol Street, Suite 3000
Washington, DC 20002.

The D.C. Preservation League is the city's largest citizen's advocacy group promoting preservation of the historic and architectural heritage of Washington. Call us at (202) 783-5144, or write the D.C. Preservation League, 401 F Street, NW, Room 324, Washington, D.C. 20001.