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.
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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
A Primer for Property Owners and Residents of Raleigh Historic Districts
Designation Process
A local historic district designation request may be generated by the community or RHDC. Generally, a local historic district nomination is submitted to staff, reviewed by the RHDC, and sent to the NC State Historic Preservation Office for initial review. The next stage of the process includes a public review of the nomination, which includes press release, notification to property owners within and adjacent to the district, and public meetings. Upon completion of community review, RHDC may recommend the nomination to City Council for consideration and potential designation.
Following designation, properties located within local historic districts are subject to an architectural and landscape design review process administered by the RHDC. The commission's Design Guidelines Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) .
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 .
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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 Primer
Designation Process
The Raleigh Historic Development Commission (RHDC) may propose the addition of a property to the roll of official Raleigh Historic Landmarks, whether generated by property owners, residents interested in preservation, or the city itself. During this process the commission reviews the nomination for historical and/or architectural significance prior to presentation to the City Council for potential designation.
Following designation, landmarks are subject to a review process for exterior changes as described by local ordinance and RHDC Design Guidelines Certificate of Appropriateness . They can also help with problems unique to historic structures such as deterioration from moisture infiltration, finding hard-to-locate materials, and providing information on building technologies and techniques no longer used.
Procedures and guidelines for landmark designation are established in the Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance. It is recommended that the report accompanying the designation application be prepared by an architectural historian.
