What are different types of historic designations and which ones include regulations/oversight?

Here are some important details about the types of historic districts and where we have them in Fayetteville:

  • National Register Historic Districts are federally recognized historic districts. These have been around since 1966 as a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate and protect America's historic and archeological resources. This designation can help qualified historic properties receive preservation benefits and incentives.
  • We have nine National Register Historic Districts in Fayetteville! Please view the Historic Sites Map to see where most of them are located.  
  • Because zoning is at the local level (not at the federal level), there are no zoning protections for properties on the National Register of Historic Places. Some protections exist when a project is undertaken with federal funds, like a transportation project, but being listed on the National Register is not a protection from demolition, additions or exterior/interior changes.
  • Arkansas has its own recognition of important places, which includes more than buildings. The Oaks Cemetery is recognized by the state as a historic African-American cemetery; in 2014 it was placed on the Arkansas Register of Historic Places. 
  • Many of the state historic preservation grants require that the state be granted a historic preservation easement to protect the reservation work on a building into the future. That way, any future changes must be approved by the state before carried out. State easements are enforced by the state, not by the City of Fayetteville.
  • Fayetteville has one local ordinance district – or, just one building protected by historic zoning. It’s the White Hangar at Drake Field! This means the White Hangar is its own local historic district.
  • The White Hangar has its own set of design guidelines or guidance for exterior changes to the building that are considered when any change is proposed. These are based on guidance from the U.S. Secretary of the Interior.
  • Local zoning districts can have their own unique design guidelines to address unique structures or needs. These guidelines can regulate some things, like demolitions and new construction, while not regulating other things, like paint colors and window replacement. It’s important to decide ahead of time what is important to protect and where flexibility is needed so that regulations can reflect that. Call the Planning Division if you’re interested, and we can discuss the details! 
  • In Arkansas there are requirements that must be met before a city can adopt an ordinance for historic zoning protections, and we would be looking for property owners to want to have those requirements in place. That’s why it’s important for neighborhoods to communicate their goals with City staff if they want to explore this option.

Show All Answers

1. What is historic preservation and why is it needed?
2. What does NOT go into a historic preservation plan?
3. What is a Heritage and Historic Preservation Plan?
4. What are different types of historic designations and which ones include regulations/oversight?
5. What types of information are typically included in a historic preservation ordinance? How can communities shape an ordinance to meet their needs?
6. What are the benefits and responsibilities of owning a property with a local historic designation?
7. What is a typical process for making changes to a property with a local historic designation?
8. What are the alternatives to historic districts, if a neighborhood wants to manage changes and new construction?