Historic Preservation

The Effects of Historic Preservation

Simple Things that Local Historic Designation, the Preservation Ordinance, and the Historic Preservation Board DO and DO NOT DO

The Preservation Ordinance and Historic Preservation Board DO:

• Provide a municipal policy for the protection of historic properties.
• Enhance community recognition and pride.
• Improve the local economy by promoting tourism and garnering interest in the City’s architectural and cultural heritage.
• Establishes an Objective and Democratic process for designating historic properties.
• Require administrative or Historic Preservation (HPB) review of exterior alterations.
• Offer restoration and rehabilitation information to property owners through historic preservation design guidelines.
• Encourage historic research and public education concerning historic architecture and Fort Lauderdale’s historic neighborhoods.
• Stabilize neighborhoods and improve property values.
• Offers relief from FEMA restrictions when repairing or adding additions to local landmarks.
• Provide eligibility for economic incentives such as federal tax credits or local ad valorum tax breaks for rehabilitation projects.

The Preservation Ordinance and Historic Preservation Board DO NOT:

• Take away individual property rights.
• Require review by the HPB for routine maintenance.
•  Require restoration of a building (repairs using exact period building materials).
• Ban additions and alterations to historic properties.
• Affect interior changes including alteration of floor plans.
• Regulate exterior paint colors.
• Interfere with life/safety issues.
• Require re-construction of a building if demolished by natural disaster.
• Deny the use of storm protection on a historic building.