The United States is full of cities that are rich in culture and local charm. These cities are spread across the nation and each one possesses a history that is as unique and colorful as the people that inhabit them. For many residents, preserving the history of a city is a major concern, and efforts to do so can become very serious. Most cities that have city with a history that holds cultural significance have a council, foundation or government organization devoted to managing and promoting historical preservation. These groups can impose strict regulations on neighborhoods that are made up of historical homes and businesses.

Building a new home in a historic neighborhood can be very challenging in the face of these stringent regulations. In most cases, special permits and zoning requirements must be acquired before construction can even be considered. Blue prints and building plans must typically come before a review board to ensure that they meet the standards of the neighborhood before any permits will be granted. If you choose to build a new home, or even renovate an older house, in one of these neighborhoods, it is often required that you adhere to the same style of architecture and design as the other historic homes in the area. Edgy, contemporary architecture which might be welcomed elsewhere is often viewed as an eyesore when surrounding by antiquated antebellum neighbors.

While creativity is an exciting part of designing a home, your decision to build in a historic neighborhood indicates that you’re willing to respect the building conventions handed down by the governing body of that area. Most of the organizations are not attempting to stifle creativity, but rather to maintain the architectural standards of an area that holds special meaning to the region or even the nation. Even if there are no such organizations or regulations in your new neighborhood, disregarding these standards can bring down the property value of your neighbors and potentially create a hostile environment. Often, paying homage to the architectural standards of your area extend beyond your choice in windows and roofing. Some neighborhoods impose restrictions on how you can landscape your yard or the colors you can paint your house. For example, you may have perfectly emulated classic Victorian architecture, but you are not allowed to paint your new home Easter egg pink with purple shutters.

In many cases, there are appeals processes if the local historical board finds some problem with your building plans. In certain situations, concessions made be made, but there must be a legitimate reason for the request. For instance, if a home needs to be handicap accessible, it would be impractical for it to have two stories like the neighboring homes.

Hopefully, it is the draw of the native architecture and the local history that compelled you to choose your new neighborhood in the first place. Driven by these characteristics, you should find it easy to reconcile your desire for modern convenience with the class and design of historically inspired architecture.

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Category: Advice
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