Does designation as a Local Historic District prevent me from building on a vacant lot?

No, but plans for new construction in a Local Historic District must be approved by the Historic Preservation Commission.

It is highly recommended that if you have plans for a new building on a vacant lot in a Local Historic District you should notify the Historic Preservation Commission early on in the planning process to ensure the design is compatible with the surrounding historic fabric. Attractive new construction can be designed to complement adjacent historic structures by paying close attention to features like lot placement, building orientation, scale, roof shape, massing, and fenestration (window and door placement).

One excellent example of new residential construction in a Local Historic District in Lafayette is located at 208 South 6th Street. The house is constructed completely of modern materials, but the way the building was designed makes it fit seamlessly with neighboring homes that were built more than a century earlier.

View a photo of the South 6th Street home.

Show All Answers

1. What is the Lafayette Historic Preservation Commission?
2. Is there a difference between a National Register Historic District and a Local Historic District?
3. What is a Conservation District?
4. What is a Certificate of Appropriateness?
5. If I want to make a change to my property, what is the procedure?
6. Are there any districts already in Lafayette?
7. Does the Historic Preservation Commission deny many COAs?
8. What about repair and maintenance - Do I have to apply to the Commission for every fix?
9. Can the Lafayette Historic Preservation Commission tell me what color I have to paint my house?
10. Does the Lafayette Historic Preservation Commission have the authority to tell me what landscaping I can install?
11. Does designation as a Local Historic District prevent me from constructing an addition to my house?
12. Does designation as a Local Historic District prevent me from demolishing a building?
13. Does designation as a Local Historic District prevent me from building on a vacant lot?
14. Does designation as a Local Historic District prevent me from installing new windows or doors?
15. What are the benefits of designating my property as part of a Local Historic District?
16. Does designation as a Local Historic District affect my property values?
17. Are there resources for those properties listed within a Local Historic District?
18. If I have questions, who can I contact?