Local Historic Districts

Each Local Historic District is designated and administered by the local preservation commission. Local districts are incorporated into the City’s zoning ordinance and maps as an overlay district. The local preservation commission develops design guidelines for each district that reflect the local community’s priorities and values, and these guidelines are in turn adopted by City Council.  Design guidelines provide standards for property owners in the local historic district who make changes or improvements to the exterior of their property. Design guidelines will also be used as standards for new construction or infill projects located in the local historic district.  Local Historic District design guidelines do not apply to changes made to the interior of a structure.

Lexington currently has two National Register Historic Districts -- Historic Uptown Lexington and the Lexington Residential Historic District, just added in April 2007.  A third area, Erlanger Mill Village, will be nominated soon, with listing anticipated in 2008. However, currently there are no Local Historic Districts in the City. The Lexington Historic Preservation Commission plans to designate both The Lexington Residential District and Erlanger Mill Village as Local Historic Districts by 2008. Corresponding design guidelines should be in place by summer of 2008.  

To view a map of the two study areas please click here.

It is easy to be confused about the difference between a National Register Historic District, and a Local Historic District.  The National Register of Historic Places is a federal program that does not restrict what an owner can and cannot do.  Locally districts and landmarks are designated by local government units who have established preservation commissions.  Local designation provides a way to manage important historic resources and make sure they are incorporated into the local land management planning process. Although it is not necessary for a local district or landmark to be on the National Register, many historic properties and districts receive both types of designation. Why is this?  

• National Register status is an effective way to determine the significance of a resource.
• NR status makes properties eligible for tax credits for certified rehabilitations for both income-producing and residential properties. 

For more information on the National Register and tax credits, click here.