Architectural review is a process that applies to all properties inside the boundaries of the historic district. Non-contributing buildings are regulated to avoid adverse alterations that could negatively affect the neighborhood in general and more particularly nearby properties. The standards of architectural review for non-historic properties are based on avoiding those kinds of adverse impacts.

The City established (an historic district or various historic districts) to protect the overall architectural integrity and significance of the district. New buildings, alterations to existing buildings, and building demolitions must be reviewed by the City's Historic Commission. Additional information is available in §___ of the zoning code.

A historic district encourages neighborhood pride by confirming that the vintage homes in the district are valuable assets within the district and beyond. The regulations help to protect the value of each owner’s investment by ensuring that all development will meet certain architectural quality standards.

The preservation and restoration of historic homes tend to attract homeowners who appreciate the craftsmanship and design in older homes. Because historic restoration is encouraged, the physical attractiveness and desirability of the neighborhood can be enhanced. Finally, real estate studies in various cities across the country have shown that property values in protected historic districts tend to be higher than comparable neighborhoods that have no architectural controls.

The City's Historic Commission reviews new buildings, alterations to existing buildings, and building demolitions in the historic district and issues a certificate of appropriateness to document approvals.

When a historic district is first proposed, an architectural survey is completed by qualified individuals who assess the architectural significance of the buildings in the proposed district. Buildings are evaluated and are categorized as "contributing" and "noncontributing." Contributing buildings are architecturally significant to the historic value of the neighborhood. In contrast, a non-contributing building has little or no architectural value to the district.