What are local historic districts?
Local, or municipal, historic districts are the most effective legal means of protecting historic properties from insensitive alterations or demolitions. This process allows for the adoption of an ordinance that can be tailored to the preservation needs of each individual municipality. Local historic districts in Pennsylvania are authorized under Act 167 of 1961. Local governments have the right to establish historic districts and to regulate the erection, reconstruction, alteration, restoration, demolition or razing of buildings within (their) historic districts. The BHP should be consulted during the entire process to insure that documentation is complete and that legal issues are properly addressed. Any individual or organization can undertake the establishment of a local historic district by completing the following: • A survey (to be completed on Historic Resource Survey Forms) and evaluation of the architectural resources in the area, determination of their architectural and hist
