About Local Historic Districts

Spokane’s historic districts are “areas in which historic buildings and their settings are protected by public review, and encompass buildings deemed significant to the city’s cultural fabric. A property included in a historic district, valued for its historical associations or architectural quality, is worth protecting because it is a virtue to the special and unique personality of the city.” (National Trust for Historic Preservation)

Eligibility requirements and the application process are similar to the process for individual properties listed on the Spokane Register. A district’s boundaries must relate to the significance of the district and the “period of significance” of the district. All properties within the proposed historic district must be photographed and have a resource sheet prepared and included with the nomination form. Specific design standards and guidelines must be prepared for the proposed district. In order to form a local historic district, a balloting process must be completed and requires approval by a majority of the property owners. For information about the creation of historic districts on the Spokane Register, you might consider reviewing the Historic Preservation ordinance in the Spokane Municipal Code.