Historic Districts

What is an historic district?
An historic district is a defined, geographical area designated for its cultural, social, economic, political and/or architectural significance.
What types of historic districts exist in New Orleans?
There are two different types of historic districts in the City of New Orleans - National Register districts and locally designated districts. Currently, there are seventeen National Register districts and twelve local districts. Boundaries of the National Register Districts and of the local districts often overlap.
Historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places are selected and administered by the State Historic Preservation Office in Baton Rouge, LA. Property owners within the National Register Districts may avail themselves of financial savings in the form of federal tax credits if the property is used for an income producing purpose. However, the only protection provided by the National Register designation is limited control over federally funded projects. Restoration tax credits and environmental review processes for National Register Districts are administered by the State Historic Preservation Office, in Baton Rouge, LA.
The New Orleans City Council designates local historic districts which are administered by local historic district commissions. Local historic districts protect the buildings and neighborhoods of New Orleans by providing regulations for changes to the exterior of all buildings within the local historic districts, reviewing new construction, demolition requests, and citing owners for "demolition by neglect."
Who regulates these local historic districts?
The New Orleans Historic District Landmarks Commission (NO HDLC) has jurisdiction over the eight residential local historic districts. This commission has 15 members, one member from each local district and seven at-large members. The Mayor, with the approval of the City Council, appoints all members. Members serve a four-year term and can be reappointed. The commission meets on the second Tuesday of each month.
The Central Business District Historic District Landmarks Commission (CBD HDLC) has jurisdiction over the four downtown local historic districts. This commission has eleven members appointed by the Mayor with the approval of the City Council. These members must be property owners or have their principal place of work within the Central Business District. This commission meets the first Tuesday of each month.
Each commission has an Architectural Review Committee composed of volunteer licensed architects, experienced in the field of preservation, commission members and the HDLC staff.
These two commissions share the same staff and their office is located at 830 Julia Street.