Architectural Review Board

In 1994, the Haymarket Town Council placed the entire Town under a Historic District Zoning Ordinance. A "Historic District" is an overlay zoning which imparts additional protection specific to historic structures and the historic resources of the Town, in addition to underlying zoning requirements required by the Town's Zoning Ordinance. The adoption of a local historic district and ordinances to protect historic resources is authorized by Sec. 15.2.2306, et. Seq, of the Virginia Code, which recognizes the importance of preserving a local jurisdiction’s historic heritage. A local property does not have to be listed in either a state or national register in order to be designated historic on the local level. In 2021, the Haymarket Town Council updated the Zoning Text Amendment with more clear definitions on the historic overlay, the historic overlay map and changing determination of a historic home to one built prior to 1950.

When the Town Council adopted the Historic District in 1994 the Haymarket Architectural Review Board (ARB) was established. The purpose of the ARB is to promote the general welfare, through the preservation and protection of historic places and areas of historic interest, all buildings within the Old and Historic Town of Haymarket which are built prior to 1950 are designated historic buildings. No historic building may be demolished, in whole or in part, nor may any architectural features of such buildings which are subject to public view from a public street be altered without prior application to the Architectural Review Board.

No building, structure or sign shall be erected, reconstructed, altered or restored within the Old and Historic Town of Haymarket, unless and until an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness has been approved by the Board or, on appeal, by the Town Council after consultation with the Board. Review of such application by the Board will include analysis of external architectural features which are subject to public view from a public street, way or place, in light of their architectural compatibility with the historic buildings in the district.

Any change within the Historic Overlay District including, but not limited to:

• rehabilitation of or additions to existing buildings
• new construction
• razing or demolition

must be reviewed and approved by the ARB before a COA may be granted.

Any change undertaken without issuance of a COA may, among other actions, be ordered removed and returned to the original condition.

The Architectural Review Board (ARB) meets the third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM at the Town Hall, 15000 Washington Street, Suite 100.