Historic preservation is a core value in Fredericksburg and is vital for maintaining the community’s character. The Historic District, encompassing hundreds of buildings in the city’s historic downtown core, is a reference point for change. Historic buildings are routinely adapted and upgraded to remain economically viable, while keeping their character-defining features intact. New buildings are integrated into their historic setting to eventually become historic in their own right. To see the area included in the Historic District, please view the printable map or access FredGIS with the “Old and Historic Fredericksburg” overlay zoning district layer on.
To ensure that development and redevelopment reflect the community’s values, a City Council-appointed citizen-led Architectural Review Board (ARB) evaluates projects within the Historic District. Its responsibility is to ensure that projects meet specific criteria for historic preservation to protect the character of the area. The Historic District Design Guidelines are used by the ARB to evaluate projects in the district and should be used by applicants to plan projects as well. The Guidelines address changes to existing buildings, new construction, signs, site elements, accessibility, and many other specific project types. For any proposed changes, a Certificate of Appropriateness application may be required.
For more information on what the Historic District offers, please explore the relevant links on this page or contact the Senior Historic Resources Planner, Kate Schwartz.