Historic Districts

(this material is excerpted from Preserving Community Character: Preservation Planning Handbook for New Hampshire, available in our bookstore)

When it comes to recognizing or protecting historic character in a specific area of the community, municipalities have three options, each of which is distinctively different: (1) National Register historic districts, (2) locally designated historic districts, and (3) neighborhood heritage districts. The districts can be separate designations or can overlap with each other. The town's historical resources survey will identify areas within the community where a particular type of district might be appropriate.

National Register Historic District
A National Register district, while initiated at the local level, is ultimately approved by the state and federal government. Such districts impose no review or restrictions on the use or alterations to properties in the district unless state or federal funds, permits or licenses are involved. For detailed information on National Register historic districts, see our webpage on the National Register.

Locally Designated Historic District  [click here for much more information on Local HDs]
A locally designated historic district is a zoning (usually overlay) district. Such districts are created at the local level and administered by a local citizen commission that approves exterior alterations, new construction and demolition within the district, using regulations and guidelines developed by the community. For detailed information on creating and administering a locally designated historic district, see the chapter on this subject.

Neighborhood Heritage District
A neighborhood heritage district (also known as a neighborhood conservation district) is similar to a locally designated historic district in that both are zoning districts, but the heritage district operates under more flexible, less stringent standards. A heritage district is a group of buildings and their settings that are architecturally and/or historically distinctive and worthy of protection based on their contribution to the architectural, cultural, political, economic or social history of the community. Sometimes a heritage district lacks sufficient significance or integrity to be designated as a traditional historic district. Other times, the neighborhood or political climate favors looser standards.

Within a neighborhood heritage district, some degree of change is subject to mandatory review and approval. In most instances, the change is defined as major alterations, additions, new construction, demolition or relocation. Some communities have binding review over major changes and advisory review over minor changes, such as window replacement, applying synthetic siding, removing architectural trim and demolition of a part of a building, such as a porch. Overall, heritage districts seek to limit the detrimental effect of alterations, additions, demolitions and new construction on the character of the community through a combination of binding and non-binding regulatory review.

Nationally, towns and cities with heritage districts report that they have controlled teardowns, increased or preserved the supply of affordable housing, revitalized neighborhoods close to downtowns, guided small business expansion into residential areas, and prevented larger commercial encroachment.

There is a high degree of citizen participation in creating a heritage district. The neighborhood initiates the process, with support and assistance from the heritage commission and planning board/staff. Residents develop the standards under which the district is administered, by deciding what the special qualities of the neighborhood are, and what type of change they wish to avoid. Once established, neighborhood representatives sit on the review board.

Advantages:
•Offers an alternative when a locally designated historic district is not likely to be well received
•Created, tailored and largely administered by those most affected
•Less stringent than a locally designated historic district

Disadvantages:
•Less restrictive nature may not provide adequate protection, particularly if the district contains highly significant or architecturally distinctive buildings
•May not prevent major remodeling and loss of important architectural details

For further information on neighborhood heritage districts:
•Miller, Julia, Protecting Older Neighborhoods Through Conservation District Programs. National Trust for Historic Preservation, 2004