Historic Design Standards Update

Raleigh’s historic overlay districts and local landmarks help tell the story of our city. The historic preservation Design Standards protect the special character of each historic overlay district and landmark as the city grows and changes.

These standards guide the Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) review of everything from small exterior projects to major renovations. The standards ensure updates fit with the unique character of each historic district. The standards offer a clear roadmap for project planning. They also provide a consistent way for staff and the COA Committee to review changes.

If you own a property in a Historic Overlay District (HOD) or a designated landmark, you’ll need a COA before starting exterior work. Reviews of applications use the Historic Design Standards (currently the Design Guidelines for Raleigh Historic Districts and Landmarks) and the “Special Character Essay” for your specific district. Information about the COA process is on the Certificate of Appropriateness page.

The spirit of the updated standards will largely remain the same. The structure will be different and there will be new and expanded topics. There will be 9 documents – one for each HOD and one for locally designated landmarks. As with the current document, the new ones will outline standards for historic building and site rehabilitation and maintenance. There will also be background descriptions that will expand on the special character of the district. This includes:

• Architectural styles and elements 
• Property types
• Building forms 
• Materials
• Development patterns

In some of the HODs there will also be information about:

• Historic signs 
• Color
• Significant landscapes
• Archaeological resources
• Natural features

For the historic districts, each Design Standards document will include common design standards as well as unique design standards tailored to the character and physical characteristics of that historic district. They will also address both historic and non-historic buildings in the districts and non-historic features on historic buildings. The Special Character Essays in the current Standards will be adapted and expanded to clearly address historic development patterns, building characteristics and features, character-defining materials, and significant landscape features.

The document for the local landmarks will include common design standards that apply to all of Raleigh’s Historic Landmarks and used in tandem with the landmark designation reports.

Example sections of the new documents include updated and new design standards such as:

• Rehabilitation and Alteration of Historic Buildings
• Additions and New Construction
• Accessory Structures and Accessory Dwelling Units
• Demolition and Relocation
• Commercial Buildings
• Landscape Features
• Low-Impact Development and Sustainable Design
• Weatherization and Energy Efficiency
• Disaster Resilience

Other sections could include:

• Pattern Book of Illustrations for Additions and New Construction
• Summary of Raleigh’s Historic Development Context
• Raleigh’s Architectural Styles and Property Types

Timeline

• Internal Project Kickoff (April 2026) 
• Document research by consultant (April – June 2026) 
• Focus Group meetings (August 10-13, 2026)
• Consultant Presentation to RHDC (August 12, 2026)
• Community Meetings (August 11 and August 13, 2026)
• Draft 1 - Design Standards review by staff and the Raleigh Historic Development Commission (January 2027) 
• Draft 2 - Design Standards available for public comment; community exhibitions (February 2027)
• Draft 3 - Design Standards review by staff and the Raleigh Historic Development Commission (March 2027) 
• Final Design Standards presented to and adopted by the Raleigh Historic Development Commission (April/May 2027)
• Final Design Standards shared with the Raleigh City Council (May/June 2027)
• Community meeting(s) to share the Final Design Standards (May/June 2027)

Background

As of 2026, eight areas have been designated as Raleigh Historic Overlay Districts: Blount Street, Boylan Heights, Capitol Square, Glenwood-Brooklyn, Moore Square, Oakwood, Oberlin Village, and Prince Hall. These districts represent residential neighborhoods, downtown commercial areas, and institutional districts. Historic district designation is designed to protect and enhance the existing character of a community. Through historic district overlay zoning, a neighborhood is protected from unmanaged change by a review process based on established design standards.

From mid-century modern houses to the State Capitol Building, more than 185 properties are designated as Raleigh Historic Landmarks. These places are designated for their historical, prehistorical, architectural, archaeological, and/or cultural significance. Local landmark designation is designed to protect and enhance the existing character of these important places. They are protected by the same review process based on established design standards as the Historic Overlay Districts.