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County Historic Districts
Historic & Cultural Conservation Districts
Loudoun County provides for the protection of historically and culturally significant areas by permitting the creation of Historic Site, Historic and Cultural Conservation, and Historic Roadway Overlay districts through the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance. In addition to land use regulations for these districts, landowners must comply with architectural guidelines intended to protect the historic character of Historic and Cultural Conservation Overlay Districts.
Loudoun County Historic Districts Guidelines
Chapter 5 of the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance (PDF) provides for the protection of historically and culturally significant areas and outline the regulations of the county’s historic districts.
A requirement of Chapter 5 of the Zoning Ordinance is a Certificate of Appropriateness (CAPP). Before any alterations to existing structures, including demolition, or construction of new structures, buildings (including fences, but excluding farm fences and bona fide farm buildings primarily used for agriculture or horticultural purposes) or signs, landowners must present plans to the Loudoun County Historic District Review Committee (HDRC) for review.
Loudoun County established the Aldie Historic District to preserve the distinctive character and charm of the Village of Aldie as properties and residents change over time. Most exterior changes to properties require review and approval from the Historic District Review Committee (HDRC) before the project begins.
The Village of Aldie is an early nineteenth century linear village built along the Little River Turnpike, now Route 50. The village settlement is centered around the historic Aldie Mill.
The Beaverdam Historic Roadways District is comprised of a network of 32 rural roads located in the southwestern corner of Loudoun County. The Historic Roadways District guidelines apply to consenting parcels and are limited to 35 feet from the designated roadway centerline.
- Beaverdam Creek Historic Roadways District Map (PDF)
- Beaverdam Creek Historic Roadways District Guidelines (PDF)
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Loudoun County established the Bluemont Historic District to preserve the distinctive character and charm of the Village of Bluemont as properties and residents change over time. Most exterior changes to properties require review and approval from the Historic District Review Committee (HDRC) before the project begins.
Originally farmland in the 18th century, the of Bluemont – formerly known as Snickers Gap and later as Snickersville – is centered on the Amos Clayton farm at the junction of two old trade routes, now routes 734 and 760. Bluemont today retains much of its turn-of-the-century charm and picturesque quality. Although the majority of structures, including stores, boarding houses and residences, date from that era, there are a number of earlier stone and log vernacular structures that line the main road and serve as reminders of the town's importance as a 19th-century trade center.
- Bluemont Historic District Map (PDF)
- Aldie, Bluemont, Oatlands, and Taylorstown (ABOT) Historic District Guidelines
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Loudoun County established the Goose Creek Historic District to preserve the distinctive character and rural charm of Goose Creek as properties and residents change over time. Most exterior changes to properties require review and approval from the Historic District Review Committee (HDRC) before the project begins.
This area was home to Virginia’s largest concentration of Quaker settlers in the mid-18th century. The district is composed of rural farmland, simple houses and agricultural buildings.
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Loudoun County established the Oatlands Historic District to preserve the distinctive character and charm of Oatlands as properties and residents change over time. Most exterior changes to properties require review and approval from the Historic District Review Committee (HDRC) before the project begins.
The small village is centered around the historic Oatlands mansion, designated a National Historic Landmark property in 1972.
Loudoun County established the Taylorstown Historic District to preserve the distinctive character and charm of the Village of Taylorstown as properties and residents change over time. Most exterior changes to properties require review and approval from the Historic District Review Committee (HDRC) before the project begins.
Taylorstown is a historic crossroads settlement located along a low point in the Catoctin Creek which was an early crossing location for the region’s Quaker farmers.
- Taylorstown Historic District Map (PDF)
- Aldie, Bluemont, Oatlands, and Taylorstown (ABOT) Historic District Guidelines
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Loudoun County established the Waterford Historic District to preserve the distinctive character and charm of the Village of Waterford as properties and residents change over time. Most exterior changes to properties require review and approval from the Historic District Review Committee (HDRC) before the project begins.
The Village of Waterford and the surrounding rural area is also a National Historic Landmark, the highest honorary designation bestowed by the U.S. Department of the Interior. The National Historic Landmark boundary is larger than the county-administered district, which is limited to the central village area.
Town Historic Districts
The Towns of Leesburg, Middleburg, and Purcellville also have locally designated historic districts the town governments administer.
National Register Historic Districts
Properties that are part of a National Register Historic District are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A National Register Historic District is strictly an honorary designation that recognizes the historic significance of a place, building, or area and encourages but does not require its preservation. Many of the county-designated Historic Districts are also National Register Historic Districts.