Arlington Historic District Review and Tax Credits
Arlington, Virginia property owners in designated historic districts must follow local review rules when altering exteriors, and they may qualify for state and federal rehabilitation tax credits. This guide explains review triggers, the review process, enforcement and appeals, available tax-credit pathways, and practical steps to apply and comply.
How historic district review works
Changes to buildings in Arlington's designated historic districts typically require administrative review and a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) or comparable approval before building permits are issued. The county maintains guidelines and examples for alterations, and applicants should consult the Historic Preservation program for design standards and submission requirements.[1]
Scope of review
- Exterior alterations visible from the public right-of-way are commonly reviewed.
- Demolition, additions, and new construction within district boundaries trigger review.
- Landscape and site changes may be subject to guidelines when they affect historic character.
Penalties & Enforcement
Enforcement authority for historic-district regulations is established through Arlington County's code and administered by the county planning/historic preservation staff and relevant boards. Specific monetary fines, escalation amounts, and continuing-violation rates are not specified on the cited county code summary page; see the county code for controlling language and penalty schedules.[2]
- Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page.
- Escalation (first/repeat/continuing offences): not specified on the cited page.
- Non-monetary sanctions: stop-work orders, orders to restore or mitigate, and civil enforcement actions are available under the county's enforcement procedures.
- Enforcer: Historic Preservation staff within the county planning division and designated boards enforce review standards; complaints and inspections follow official county procedures.[2]
- Appeals/review: administrative appeal routes and judicial review are available; specific time limits for appeals are not specified on the cited page.
Applications & Forms
The principal application for design review is typically the Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) or an application packet provided by Arlington's Historic Preservation program. Fee schedules, submission methods, and required materials are published by the county; where a specific form number or fee is not shown on the public guidance page, it is listed on the application portal or by contacting the planning office.[1]
Tax credits and financial incentives
Rehabilitation tax credits for historic buildings are administered at the state and federal levels; Virginia's Department of Historic Resources provides details on the Virginia historic rehabilitation tax credit program and application process for state credits, while federal credits are administered through the National Park Service in coordination with the State Historic Preservation Office. Local cash grants or county tax abatements specific to Arlington are not detailed on the cited county pages and should be confirmed with the Historic Preservation office.[3]
- State tax credit: program details and application steps are on the Virginia DHR site.[3]
- Federal credit: federal rehabilitation tax incentives require review by the National Park Service and coordination with the State Historic Preservation Office (see state DHR guidance for links).
- Local incentives: any Arlington County incentives should be confirmed with the county; not specified on the cited county summary page.
Action steps
- Confirm whether your property is individually designated or in a local historic district by contacting the county historic preservation staff.[1]
- Prepare and submit a COA application with required drawings and photos before applying for building permits.[1]
- If seeking tax credits, start the state/federal historic tax-credit application process early and document historic fabric before work begins.[3]
- If notified of a violation, follow instructions on the county notice and file an appeal within the stated deadline or consult counsel.
FAQ
- Do I need approval to change the exterior of a building in a historic district?
- Yes. Most exterior changes visible from the public right-of-way require review and a Certificate of Appropriateness or similar approval from the county historic preservation program.[1]
- Can I get a tax credit for rehabilitating my historic property?
- Possibly. Virginia and federal rehabilitation tax credits exist; eligibility, application steps, and timing are on the Virginia Department of Historic Resources site and coordinated with the State Historic Preservation Office.[3]
- What happens if I alter a historic property without approval?
- Enforcement can include orders to stop work, restore altered features, and civil fines or court actions; exact fines and escalation details are set in the county code and are not specified on the cited summary page.[2]
How-To
- Confirm designation: check county records or contact Historic Preservation to confirm district boundaries and designation status.[1]
- Prepare application: assemble drawings, photos, and a project description for a COA submission according to county guidelines.[1]
- Seek tax credits: consult Virginia DHR guidance and begin state/federal applications before work starts to preserve eligibility.[3]
- Proceed with permits: submit COA approval documentation with your building permit application and follow inspection requirements.
Key Takeaways
- Early coordination with Arlington Historic Preservation avoids delays.
- State and federal tax credits require pre-approval steps; document work carefully.
- Enforcement may include non-monetary orders; consult the county code for legal language.[2]
Help and Support / Resources
- Arlington County Historic Preservation program
- Arlington County Code of Ordinances (Municode)
- Virginia Department of Historic Resources - Tax Credits