Resources

Preservation Law

This collection of resources covers laws that impact preservation at the federal, state, and local level. At the local level, the strongest defense commissions have against accusations of arbitrary and capricious decisions is to consistently follow established review procedures. Examples of legal topics include procedural due process, takings, appeals, property rights, and economic hardship.

Resource Links

Law and The Historic Preservation Commission: What Every Member Needs to Know

Published by Cultural Resources Partnership Notes, this article provides an overview of laws and legal actions pertaining to historic preservation commissions.

Federal Historic Preservation Laws

This handbook from the National Park Service provides an overview of all federal historic preservation laws.

The Alliance Review: Local Preservation Ordinances

This article looks at aspects of creating, amending, and reviewing preservation ordinances, as well as providing information on aspects of historic preservation and conservation overlay zones.

For the Record: A Short Guide to Parliamentary Procedure

This document, published by the NAPC, provides a breakdown of proper public meeting procedure and how it applies to historic preservation commissions.

The Alliance Review: Assessing Economic Hardship Claims

This article looks at the components of economic hardship claims and gives advice on how to evaluate the evidence presented within the claim.

NAPC Code of Ethics

NAPC has developed this Code of Ethics to promote and maintain the highest standards of honesty, integrity and professionalism among the commissioners and staff who serve their communities through preservation commissions.

Preservation Planning

Preservation planning is a proactive way to provide for the protection of a community’s historic resources and character. A community that includes a preservation component as part of long-range planning recognizes the importance of local heritage and the built environment.

Among other things, a preservation plan identifies and articulates community preservation goals, lets current and future property owners know how the community intends to grow, helps eliminate confusion about the purpose of the local preservation ordinance, educates the public about the community’s history and heritage, creates an agenda for future preservation work and creates a way to measure preservation’s progress. Preservation plans also encourage economic development and strengthen political understanding of historic preservation policies.

How is a preservation plan adopted? It is a collaborative effort between historic preservation commission members, commission staff, other municipal departments, elected officials, and community advocates. Consultants are typically hired to draft the plan, which is reviewed at public input forums. Funding, implementation and scope are all challenging facets of adopting a preservation plan, but there are numerous examples of success stories around the country.

Examples of Citywide Preservation Plans:

Fort Worth, TX

Appropriate for use in a municipality with a population greater than 50,000. The Fort Worth Citywide Historic Preservation Plan was created to provide a historic preservation framework for the city of Fort Worth, Texas...

More Citywide Plans

Berwyn, IL

Suitable for use within a municipality with a population greater than 50,000. The Berwyn Preservation Plan aims to raise awareness of community architecture, history, and preservation in addition to defining and maintaining architectural and cultural resources...

Examples of Statewide Preservation Plans:

California

The primary purpose of this Comprehensive Statewide Historic Preservation Plan is to provide guidance to the OHP and the preservation community for the identification, registration...

More Statewide Plans

Design Review

Design Review is one of the most important responsibilities of a local preservation commission. The commissioner is tasked with reviewing changes to historic places in accordance with a set of standards or guidelines. This collection of resources offers information about applying those standards and guidelines for the best outcomes.

Helpful Information about Design Review:

Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation

This links to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. Rehabilitation is defined as the act or process of making possible a compatible use for a property through repair, alterations, and additions while preserving those portions or features which convey its historical, cultural, or architectural values.

NAPC's Design Review with Limited Resources

This document explores the pros and cons of methods that commissions without professional preservation staff use to experience the same type of resources that those with professional preservation staff enjoy.

New Construction & Additions:

The Alliance Review: Regulating New Construction in Historic Districts: Contemporary Design

This article reviews Standard 9, which deals with additions, exterior alterations, and infill projects, and looks at ways of effectively interpreting the standard.

The Alliance Review: New Exterior Additions to Historic Buildings

This article talks about the improvements of and changes to the revised Preservation Brief 14, which deals with how to appropriately apply exterior additions.

The Alliance Review: Growing Pains

This article presents guidelines, used by the Metro Nashville Historic Zoning Commission, for how different types of additions could be applied to locally-designated buildings.

Windows:

Window Repairs

Window Myths

Why Should Original Historic Windows be Preserved?

What Replacement Windows Can’t Replace

Why Say “No” to Vinyl Windows

Alliance Review: Window Repair and Restoration Basics

Alternative Materials:

The Alliance Review: Developing a Materials Evaluation Methodology

This two part article looks at how to effectively address a number of concerns when evaluating the benefits of substitute materials. These concerns vary in topic, and include durability, price, and sustainability.

The Alliance Review: “And, Where Possible, Materials” Considering Alternative Materials

Two well known preservation professionals, Sharon Ferraro and Bob , discuss whether alternative materials should be used and when.

Kansas State Historical Society: Vinyl is Not Final

This article, published by the Kansas State Historical Society, provides information on the many downfalls of vinyl siding as a replacement for historic siding materials.

Design Review with Limited Resources: Working Without Professional Preservation Staff

Enforcement and Violations

Commissions are responsible for the designation and preservation of local landmarks and districts. To ensure that local preservation ordinances are respected and upheld, they must be consistently enforced. This set of resources examines reasons violations occur, how to identify infractions, what actions to take when violations occur, and how to deter future violations. Articles will also explore how communities have strengthened enforcement through education, communication, and collaboration.

Demolition by Neglect:

The Alliance Review: Establishing a Demolition by Neglect Ordinance

This article covers the fundamental legal principles and key components of a demolition by neglect ordinance.

Sample Demolition by Neglect Ordinances

This document looks at the cities of New York, Detroit, and New Orleans and their respective ordinances pertaining to demolition by neglect.

Regulations to Prevent Demolitions & Avoid A Taking

Published by the City of Dallas, this document provides the process by which an owner may apply for permission to tear down a neglected building, on what basis the ruling commission must act, and the process by which someone can appeal the commission’s decision.

Building Codes:

The Alliance Review: Building Codes vs. Preservation of Historic Property

This article provides insight on how to implement present-day building codes for historic buildings.

The Alliance Review: Cities “Get Smart” Without State Initiatives

This article supplies information on the benefits of using Smart Codes – building codes meant to encourage alteration and reuse of existing buildings – when establishing or amending municipal building codes.

The Alliance Review: Smart Codes in Your Community

This report provides an overview of general laws and regulations that govern the use and reuse of existing buildings. The report also supplies examples of efforts to reduce the complexity of laws and regulations pertaining to existing buildings, and provides possible strategies to implement reinvestment in the existing building infrastructure.

Identifying & Designating Historic Resources

This set of resources primarily covers the benefits and process of designating resources at the local level. Local designation is typically the most effective way to protect a community’s historic resources. These resources cover the designation of local landmarks as well as districts, and breaks down the designation process beginning with identifying historic properties and sites through historic resources surveys and determining eligibility based on the data collected.

Community Engagement & Building Public Support

Historic preservation commissioners often get bogged down in the day-to-day administration of their local ordinance and forget that one of their key responsibilities is to be an effective spokesperson for historic preservation in their community. This collection of resources helps commissions communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences, whether it’s building support for designations, defending sometimes unpopular decisions, or working with reluctant elected officials.

Advocacy and Grassroots Preservation: Fighting the Good Fight

Community Outreach Strategies for Historic Preservation Commissions and Boards

Resources of the Recent Past

Across the country, construction from the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, and even 1980s is now eligible for designation, yet many communities struggle with how to understand and manage these resources. From urban centers to small towns, recent past architecture tells the story of social change, technological innovation, and new planning perspectives. Recognizing resources of the recent past can be the key to engaging new audiences and revitalizing preservation efforts. This collection of educational resources will help local commissions advocate for resources of the recent past.

Krisana Park Pattern Book

Krisana Park is a unique and well-loved neighborhood [located in Denver, Colorado]. Its special mid-century character, from the streetscapes to the individual homes, has served long-time residents well and continues to attract newcomers. This Pattern Book was born out of a desire among neighbors to better understand what makes the neighborhood special so that those characteristics can be valued and maintained. The book provides a history and contextual description of the neighborhood and gives visual descriptions, accompanied by photographs, of the features that make it unique. The book will also answer common questions about maintenance issues and often-desired modifications, providing advice on how to make your home work for your family while also retaining the overall character of Krisana Park.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Local Preservation

Local government programs have the ability to be leaders in creating a more inclusive historic preservation. NAPC hopes that this collection of resources empowers local programs to incorporate diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility into the work of local preservation.

Preservation Justice: Making Your Local Government Preservation Program More Equitable

Toolkits:

LatinX Preservation Toolkit

The Latinx Preservation Toolkit serves as an introduction to the principles and practices of historic preservation, encompassing both community-led preservation and mainstream approaches. The Toolkit ensures equal access to information, empowering Latinx communities to preserve, celebrate contributions, and tell their own stories.

Resilience and Disaster Planning

As many communities begin to see the challenges of climate change grow nearer, it is imperative to provide tools on how to adapt, mitigate, plan, recover, fund, and thrive in a time of uncertainty. These resources are designed for commissioners, staff members, policymakers, and community members. They are collected from a wide range of sources including federal, non-profit, and local governments, and also includes other languages where available.

General Overview

St. Augustine Resilient Heritage Report

FEMA Flood Insurance Guide

FEMA Integrating Cultural Resources into Hazard Mitigation Planning

NPS Disaster Checklist

Protecting Florida’s History from Hazards

The History of Building Elevation in New Orleans

The Alliance Review: Disaster Preparedness and Resiliency

National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Forum Journal: High Water and High Stakes: Cultural Resources and Climate Change

Union of Concerned Scientists: Toward Climate Resilience

Urban Land Reading List: Mitigating and Understanding Climate Risk

Planning and Preparedness