Historic Resources Design Manual Update
Latest Draft
Draft - January 7, 2026
This final draft will receive edits based on public feedback before returning to the Historic Preservation Board for adoption at a Public Hearing. Stay tuned for the the Public Hearing date.
Background
Portland’s Historic Preservation Ordinance includes a requirement for a Historic Resources Design Manual (Subsection 16.6.2 of the land use code). The Design Manual is intended to supplement the Historic Preservation Standards for Review, including, “… descriptions, guidelines, and illustrations of how the standards of this article will be interpreted.”
When the Historic Preservation Program was established by City Council in 1990, a first version of the Design Manual was made effective that same year. The manual was updated slightly in 1992, but has not received a comprehensive update since.
Scope
The goal of this project is to provide a comprehensive update of the Historic Resources Design Manual. This will include updating language to reflect the text changes adopted by City Council through ReCode in November, 2024. Additionally, the goal is to provide improved color photographs and visuals.
The current Design Manual was created soon after the establishment of the Historic Preservation Program, when there was a limited supply of approved projects to provide as examples in explaining the standards. In updating the Design Manual at this time, more than 30 years of approvals can be used to illustrate how the standards for review have been and should be applied to projects, and how reviews have successfully guided projects towards greater historical accuracy, improved compatibility, and contextual development.
Historic designation reports will be removed from the Design Manual and hosted on the City website independently to avoid needing to update the Design Manual with new designations.
The revised Design Manual will have the following chapters:
- Introduction
- Fundamentals
- Standards for review of alterations to contributing properties
- Standards for review of additions and new construction
- Standards for review of alterations to noncontributing properties
- Standards for review of relocation
- Standards for review of signage
Questions and Comments
Reach out via email to hp@portlandmaine.gov
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Important Dates
Historic Preservation Board Workshop 1
On November 20, 2024, the Historic Preservation Board held the first workshop to review drafts of the first and second chapters of the design manual.
Historic Preservation Board Workshop 2
On May 21, 2025, the Historic Preservation Board held a second workshop to review drafts of the third chapter of the design manual, along with updates to the first and second chapters.
Historic Preservation Board Workshop 3
On September 3, 2025, the Historic Preservation Board held a third workshop to review drafts of the fourth and fifth chapters of the design manual, along with updates to previously reviewed chapters.
Historic Preservation Board Workshop 4
On November 19, 2025, the Historic Preservation Board held a fourth workshop to review drafts of the sixth and seventh chapters of the design manual, along with updates to previously reviewed chapters.
Final Draft Released for Public Comment
Historic Preservation staff released a final draft of the Historic Resources Design Manual for publc review and comment. This Public Comment period closed on January 31, 2026.