"Nobody is Telling Me What Color I Can Paint My House!"

The creation of local historic districts, and the subsequent enforcement of historic preservation laws, creates a special set of challenges for preservation planners. Buildings and structures on the National Register of Historic Places are afforded little—if any—protection against inappropriate alterations or even demolition. Protection comes on the municipal level when towns or cities adopt a bylaw or ordinance such as MGL Chapter 40C Massachusetts Historic Districts Act or similar statutes in other jurisdictions.  Once a city or town adopts the law they can move toward the creation of local historic districts (LHD) that are governed by an historic district commission (HDC.)

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