WASHINGTON DC HISTORIC PRESERVATION DESIGN GUIDELINES

If you’re considering the purchase of an historic home in Washington DC, you're also likely to be planning improvements. Here’s a guide to the Historic Preservation rules for homes in your neighborhood, and advice on how to maintain and preserve your Washington DC home and its history. The DC Historic Preservation Office assists homeowners and tenants in historic structures with advice for the proper maintenance, preservation and enhancement of the architectural character of their properties.

Historic Preservation Guidelines for Utility Meters
The Historic Preservation Office has developed draft guidelines for placement of utility meters on landmarks and properties located within historic districts. The guidelines were formally approved by the Historic Preservation Review Board on May 3, 2012.
Accommodating Disabilities In Historic Buildings
Accommodating Persons with Disabilities in Historic Properties: The Historic Preservation Office assists owners and tenants in historic structures to maintain, preserve, and enhance accessibility on their property.
Additions To Historic Buildings
Additions to Historic Buildings: The Historic Preservation Office assists owners and tenants in historic structures to maintain, preserve, and enhance additions to their property, or create new ones.
Basement Entrances And Windows
Basement Entrances and Basement Windows on Historic Properties  The Historic Preservation Office has developed guidelines for Basement Entrances and Basement Windows on Historic Properties.
Historic Commercial Buildings
Design Guidelines for Historic Commercial Buildings  The Historic Preservation Office assists owners of historic commercial structures to maintain, preserve, and enhance their property.
Walls And Foundations Of Historic Buildings
Walls and Foundations of Historic Buildings:  The Historic Preservation Office assists owners and tenants in historic structures to maintain, preserve, and enhance the walls and foundations on their property.
Roofs On Historic Buildings
Roofs on Historic Buildings  The Historic Preservation Office assists owners and tenants in historic structures to maintain, preserve, and enhance the roofs on their property.
Porches And Steps In Historic Buildings
Porches and Steps on Historic Buildings: The Historic Preservation Office assists owners and tenants in historic structures to maintain, preserve, and enhance porches and steps on their property.
New Construction In Historic Districts
New Construction in Historic Districts  The Historic Preservation Office assists owners and builders to design new buildings in historic districts.
Landscaping And Secondary Features
Landscaping, Landscape Features and Secondary Buildings in Historic Districts  Yes, landscaping elements could be part of your DC historic home preservation design guidelines! The Historic Preservation Office assists owners and tenants in historic structures to maintain, preserve, and enhance the landscaping, landscape features, and secondary buildings on their property.
Window Repair And Replacement Guidelines
Window Repair and Replacement: Preservation and Design Guidelines:  In October 2011, The Historic Preservation Review Board approved an updated guidance for window repair and replacement for historic structures in the District of Columbia.
Energy Conservation For Historic Buildings
The Historic Preservation Office assists owners and tenants in historic structures to enhance energy conservation on their property.
Neighborhood Historic Preservation Guidelines
Many DC Neighborhoods have their own guidelines, so be sure to check the rules for yours. Not sure if your home is a historic building? Check your address on this interactive map.
Learning And Preserving Your Historic Home's History