The mission of the Raleigh Historic Development Commission is to identify, preserve, protect, and promote Raleigh’s historic resources.
Our Mission
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Certificate of Appropriateness (COA)
Next COA Deadline:
4:00 pm on May 18
Local Historic Landmark and District Designation
Raleigh Historic Overlay Districts
Raleigh's community character is shaped by its historic communities and their architecture. Preserving Raleigh's historic neighborhoods, Local historic district designation is achieved through the implementation of historic district overlay zoning. Communities eligible for this zoning layer have historic, cultural, architectural, neighborhood and or community significance in Raleigh. Local historic district nominations are reviewed by the public and designated by the City Council.
Benefits To Local District Designation
- Protects against inaccurate or unsympathetic alterations and unnecessary demolition of historic resources
- Retains physical and cultural integrity of community
- Enhances property values
- Fosters community pride
- Offers RHDC technical assistance in preservation
- Assists residents in shaping Raleigh's future
Raleigh Historic Landmark Designation
The purpose of Raleigh Historic Landmark designation is to recognize and preserve the character of the city's individual historic resources. The process involves RHDC recommendation of the resource to the City Council in public hearing, after which the council may choose to adopt an ordinance designating the property a historic landmark.
Raleigh Historic Landmark designation is an effective step in preventing demolition and carries with it significant tax benefits.
Benefits To Local Landmark Designation
- Publicly recognizes the property as significant to Raleigh's history
- Affords the property owner a tax benefit in the form of a 50% Wake County property tax deferral
- Protects against inaccurate or unsympathetic alterations and unnecessary demolition of historic resources
- Acts as an example of the physical and cultural integrity of the surrounding community
Raleigh Historic Landmarks (RHLs)
A joint public hearing before the Raleigh City Council and the Raleigh Historic Development Commission is being held for May 1 to discuss the designation of the G. Dewey and Elma Arndt House as a historic landmark.
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Historic Overlay Districts (HODs)
The city’s first new HOD in 20 years takes effect May 1.
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National Register of Historic Places
In 2011, four RHDC sponsored Historic Districts were listed in the National Register: Longview Gardens, Rochester Heights, Battery Heights, and Hi-Mount.
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Certificates of Appropriateness (COAs)
After a year-long public effort of updating the Design Guidelines, the draft document is in the hands of the City Attorney prior to going to the RHDC and City Council for formal adoption.
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