A Historic Area Work Permit is the application that must be submitted prior to performing exterior alterations/changes to locally-designated properties, those either individually-designated or located within (both contributing and non-contributing) one of the City’s two locally-designated historic districts.

A Historic Area Work Permit Application is required when a project involving exterior alterations to a locally-designated historic resource, or to its environmental setting, is proposed.

If the project does not involve a building or site that is either individually designated or located in a locally designated historic district, a Historic Area Work Permit Application is not required.

If the project entails routine maintenance or routine landscaping, a Historic Area Work Permit Application is not required. Examples of routine maintenance and routine landscaping include: repainting, repairing deteriorated features, in-kind replacement of deteriorated features, and daily yard and garden maintenance.

If you have any question as to whether or not a Historic Area Work Permit is required, please do not hesitate to contact staff prior to starting work.

Historic Area Work Permit FAQ

How much does it cost to apply for a Historic Area Work Permit Application?

There is no fee to apply.

Will I need to complete other permit/applications as part of this process?

That is entirely dependent upon the scope of work being proposed, but the possibility does exist that other permits/applications will be required for the proposed work.

How do I know if my proposed work involves a locally-designated historic resource or is located in a locally-designated historic district?

Who reviews my Historic Area Work Permit Application?

Qualified City staff will assess the completeness of the application and provide initial guidance to the applicant. Once the application is determined to be complete, it will be forwarded to the City of Gaithersburg Historic District Commission for final review.

Who are the qualified City staff performing the initial assessment?

Those staff who meet the minimum criteria for performing identification, evaluation, registration, and treatment activities in the fields of Archaeology, Architecture, Architectural History, Historic Architecture, and/or History, as defined by the National Park Service in 36 CFR Part 61.

What is the City of Gaithersburg Historic District Commission?

How often does the City of Gaithersburg Historic District Commission Meet?

The Historic District Commission typically meets once a month on the first Thursday.

What are the criteria utilized by the City of Gaithersburg Historic District Commission when reviewing applications?

The Historic District Commission utilizes the Criteria for Decision specified in Section 24-227.2 of The City Code: Section 24-227.2(a) – Historic Area Work Permits; Criteria for Decision

(a) The Historic District Commission, in evaluating an application for a historic area work permit, shall consider and render its decision based on the following factors:

(1) The preservation of the historic, archaeological, or architectural significance of the site or structure and its relationship to the historic, archaeological or architectural significance of the surrounding area;

(2) Guidelines for rehabilitation and new construction design for designated sites, structures, and districts adopted by resolution of the Mayor and City Council, including criteria for construction, alteration, reconstruction, moving and demolition which are consistent with The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation;

(3) The relationship of the exterior architectural features of the structure to the remainder of the structure and surrounding area;

(4) The general compatibility of the exterior design, scale, proportion, arrangement, texture and materials proposed to be used; and

(5) Any other factors, including aesthetic factors, which the commission deems pertinent.

In addition to the Criteria for Decision are there established Guidelines (as referenced in Section 24-227.2(a)(2) of The City Code)?

Yes, links to the established Guidelines for the Brookes, Russell and Walker Historic District and Individually Designated Historic Sites and for the Chestnut/Meem Historic District can be found here:

What are The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation?

The Standards, established by the National Park Service in 36 CFR Part 67, are the 10 criteria by which rehabilitation projects are measured. The City of Gaithersburg Historic District Commission utilizes the standards when rendering decisions on Historic Area Work Permit Applications.

What is the definition of "rehabilitation?"

The National Park Service defines it “as the act or process of making possible a compatible use for a property through repair, alterations, and additions while preserving those portions or features which convey its historical, cultural, or architectural values.”

How many properties within the City of Gaithersburg are locally-designated historic resources?

There are approximately 110 properties altogether. There are 20 individually-designated sites/resources and 2 designated historic districts. The 2 historic districts collectively include approximately 90 historic resources (both contributing and non-contributing).