Local Historic Districts

Introduction to Local Historic Districts

A local historic district is a historically significant area that is protected by a historic district ordinance. The local unit of government appoints a historic district commission to review proposed work to the exterior of resources in the district to determine if the work meets the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and Guidelines for Rehabilitation. Designating an area as a local historic district is one of the few ways a community can provide legal protection for its historic resources.

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Local Historic Districts in Michigan

Creating A Local Historic District

How to Apply the National Register Criteria for Evaluation (NPS)

Researching a Historic Property (NPS)

Working on the Past in Local Historic Districts (NPS)

Process for Establishing a Local Historic District

Model Historic District Ordinance

Criteria for Evaluating Resources for Inclusion in Local Historic Districts

How to Write a Historic District Study Committee Report

Administering A Local Historic District

How to Appeal A Historic District Commission Decision

"Economic Hardship, Feasibility and Related Standards in Historic Preservation Law"

Michigan Historic Preservation Network Commissioner Training Workshop

The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation

Guidelines for the Treatment of Cultural Landscapes

National Alliance of Preservation Commissions

State of Michigan Open Meetings Act 267 of 1976

Robert's Rules of Order

Fences in Historic Districts

Creating Design Guidelines for the Historic Commercial District, a manual

Attorney General's Opinions Regarding Local Preservation

Michigan's Attorney General has issued several opinions regarding historic preservation and local historic districts.