Q: How do I know if I am in an historic district? Who should I talk with to get approval of exterior changes to my historic building?
A: In Portland, the city of Portland website includes maps of historic districts and landmark properties. Owners who are planning exterior changes to properties in Portland’s historic districts should contact the historic preservation program of the City of Portland at 874-8726 for information on the approval process. For more information, see Architecture Defined. Some projects may require additional permitting: for example, structural changes to the building require a building permit. If you live in a community outside Portland, please check with your town planning office for further information on historic districts and permitting.