Historic preservation in Delaware local government
What Delaware city councils, county boards and school districts are deciding about historic preservation — plain-English summaries written from official agendas and minutes, updated as meetings happen.
255 Delaware meetings since 2024 covered historic preservation. Counts are directional — coverage varies by place and platform.
Places in Delaware with the most historic preservation activity
- Lewes, DE (82)
- Milton, DE (47)
- Dover, DE (39)
- Dover, DE (38)
- Smyrna, DE (18)
- Rehoboth Beach, DE (12)
- Georgetown, DE (5)
- New Castle, DE (4)
- New Castle County, DE (4)
- Middletown, DE (2)
- Bethany Beach, DE (2)
- Wilmington, DE (2)
Latest matching meetings
Historic Review Board to hear demolition requests for two 19th-century homes
The Historic Review Board will hold a public hearing to review three applications: two demolition permits for circa-1890–1900 houses and one request to convert a former barn into a garage. The board will also receive a report from the preservation planner and allow public comment before adjourning.
DAC reviews four development applications ahead of Planning Commission meeting
The Dover Development Advisory Committee (DAC) will meet to review and comment on four development applications that will go before the Planning Commission on September 21, 2026. The meeting is for agency reviewers and applicants; public comment is not accepted. The applications include a car dealership expansion…
Dover DAC reviews four development projects ahead of Planning Commission vote
The Dover Development Advisory Committee (DAC) will meet on September 9, 2026, to review four development applications before they go to the Planning Commission on September 21. The DAC meeting is open to the public but does not accept public comment; public input will be taken at the Planning Commission meeting. The…
Rehoboth Beach to consider reclassifying bike and fireworks penalties as civil offenses
The Rehoboth Beach Mayor and Commissioners will consider two ordinances that would change bicycle and fireworks violations from criminal to civil offenses, aligning with state law. The board will also receive an update from the Boardwalk Historic Designation Task Force and hold an executive session on a potential…
Warrant Committee to vote on CPC playground funding, Laboure acquisition, school building funds
The Milton Warrant Committee is meeting to discuss and vote on several articles for the Fall Special Town Meeting, including Community Preservation Act funding for a playground at Tucker Elementary School, authorizing the Select Board to acquire the Laboure property, and authorizing funds for the School Building…
Historic board to review window and floorboard applications
The Smyrna Historic District Review Board will meet to review two applications for work on properties in the historic district: one for windows at 132 W Mt Vernon St and one for floorboard and pillar base repairs at 133 S Main St. The board will also handle routine items like approving minutes. Public comment is…
Task force begins data collection for boardwalk National Register nomination
The Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk Historic Designation Task Force is meeting to review its membership and begin gathering evidence for the boardwalk's National Register of Historic Places nomination. The agenda includes a workshop on research methodologies, focusing on the cultural landscape argument from 1873 through the…
Warrant Committee to vote on 4 articles for Fall Town Meeting
The Milton Warrant Committee will discuss and vote on four articles for the Fall Special Town Meeting: CPC funding for a playground at Tucker Elementary School, an amendment to the MBTA Overlay District Zoning Bylaw, authorizing the Select Board to acquire the Laboure Property, and authorizing funds for the School…
Historic District Commission to review two fence permits in Dover
The Dover Historic District Commission will review two fence permit referrals from the City Planner, both involving properties in the historic district. The commission will also adopt minutes, receive reports on applications and certifications, and discuss the Certified Local Government program and the 2019…
Historic District Commission reviews two fence permits in Dover historic zone
The Dover Historic District Commission is meeting to review two fence permit referrals, approve minutes, and hear updates on applications and architectural review certifications. The commission will consider a 6-foot ornamental metal fence for Dover Fire Department Station #1 parking lots and a 6-foot chain link fence…
Planning Commission to review 1.9M sq ft e-commerce center and other land-use items
The Middletown Planning & Zoning Commission will hold public hearings on six land-use applications, including a conditional use permit for a candle manufacturing business, a lot line adjustment, a historic review, an amended major land development plan for a large e-commerce fulfillment center, a subdivision for two…
Johnnie Walker Beach Subcommittee to discuss beach day and replica pavilion updates
The Johnnie Walker Beach Subcommittee will meet to approve minutes from July 16, 2026, and discuss updates on Johnnie Walker Beach Day 2026 and the replica pavilion project. The pavilion is awaiting construction plans from GMB, and the beach day is scheduled for September 19, 2026. The agenda includes public comments…
Commission to discuss Black History Month, Johnnie Walker Beach Day, and budget
The Lewes African American Heritage Commission will meet to discuss and possibly act on several items, including plans for the February 2027 Black History Month program, Johnnie Walker Beach Day and the pavilion project timeline, locating additional oral history videos, a state historical marker for Peter Lewis, the…
Planning Commission to hear annexation and zoning for Dupont Boulevard properties
The Georgetown Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on a request by C.W. Property Investments, LLC to annex two properties at 20200 and 20224 Dupont Boulevard into the town and zone them Highway Commercial. The commission will also review a combined concept- and preliminary-plan for a six-lot commercial…
Historical Commission to discuss library generator site letter
The Milton Historical Commission is meeting to discuss and formulate a letter or response regarding the proposed site for the installation of a library generator. The agenda includes only this discussion item, along with the call to order and adjournment.
Milton Historical Commission meeting cancelled; no items to decide
This meeting of the Milton Historical Commission, scheduled for August 17, 2026, has been cancelled. The agenda included only a discussion about a letter regarding the proposed library generator site, but no decisions will be made.
Planning Commission to review ADA ramp revision for Legislative Hall and new signage plan
The Dover Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on a comprehensive signage plan for the Dover Commerce Park and consider a revised architectural review certificate for an ADA ramp at Legislative Hall. The commission will also discuss potential changes to active recreation requirements for residential…
Milton Historical Commission to review demolition updates and CPC applications
The Milton Historical Commission is meeting to approve minutes from May 26, receive demolition updates, and discuss Community Preservation Committee (CPC) applications, including those for historic preservation and other items related to the Fall Town Meeting. The agenda is largely procedural, with no specific…
Historic commission reviews Pilottown Road porch railing and zoning map
The Historic Preservation Architectural Review Commission will review a resubmitted railing design for a Pilottown Road property and discuss updates to the City of Lewes Historic Zoning Map. The meeting also includes approvals of several exterior material changes and fence installations across the city.
No substantive items listed for Local Historic District Study Committee meeting
The provided agenda contains only procedural boilerplate and legal notices. No specific topics, decisions, or discussion items are listed for this meeting.
No agenda items listed for Community Preservation Committee meeting
The Community Preservation Committee of Milton, Delaware is meeting on July 28, 2026. The posted agenda contains only procedural notices and no discussion or decision items.
Task Force discusses historic designations for Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk
The Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk Historic Designation Task Force is meeting to discuss seeking a blue Delaware Historical Marker and designation on the National Register of Historic Places. The group will hear presentations on historic recognition experiences and assign research and archiving tasks.
Historic District Board reviews property improvement applications
The Smyrna Historic District Review Board will meet to review and approve meeting minutes and consider applications for exterior improvements at two properties. The public may attend in person to provide verbal testimony.
Historic District Commission to review revised ADA ramp for Legislative Hall
The Dover Historic District Commission is meeting to review a revised application for an ADA ramp at Legislative Hall, continuing from a June discussion. The commission will also hear reports on applications and architectural review certifications, and discuss the Certified Local Government program and the 2019…
Commission reviews ADA ramp revision for Legislative Hall
The Historic District Commission will review a revised application for an ADA ramp at the west entrance of Legislative Hall. The body will also review summaries of 2025 and 2026 applications and architectural certifications.
Commission to discuss Middle Passage Marker recommendations
The Lewes African American Heritage Commission will meet to discuss preliminary recommendations for the Middle Passage Marker. The body will also consider a work group for the February 2027 Black History Month program and a fundraising timeline.
Council to discuss modifying Fourth Street and Park Avenue streetscape designs
The council will consider modifying streetscape designs for the Fourth Street and Park Avenue project, an ordinance to memorialize the Lewes African American Heritage Commission, and revisions to zoning administration authority. The consent agenda includes lease extensions for 100 and 104 Cedar Street. New business…
Historic Review Board to consider Wingstop sign at 2649 Pulaski Highway
The Historic Review Board will hold a virtual business meeting on July 7, 2026. The main item is a signage permit application for an attached, externally illuminated acrylic sign for Wingstop at La Grange Center, located at 2649 Pulaski Highway. The board will also hear reports from the chair and preservation planner…
Milton CPC agenda contains no substantive items
The Community Preservation Committee agenda for July 6, 2026, consists entirely of procedural boilerplate and accessibility notices. No decisions, proposals, or discussions are listed for this meeting.
Review of historic preservation applications for Main Street and South Street
The Historic District Review Board will evaluate three property applications for exterior modifications. These include roof/gutter work on North Main Street, siding/window replacements on West South Street, and updates to a duplex on South Main Street.
Council reviews opposition to state housing bill SB23 and W. Fourth St. streetscape update
The Mayor and City Council will hold a work session to discuss local responses to state housing legislation SB23, review a state-sponsored zoning reform pilot, and update residents on the W. Fourth Street & Park Avenue streetscape project. The body will also consider a proposed ordinance to codify the Lewes African…
Task Force discusses National Register of Historic Places designation for the Boardwalk
The Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk Historic Designation Task Force is meeting to begin the process of seeking a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. Members will review state requirements, discuss nomination schematic planning, and practice building an integrity argument for the site.
Meeting notice only, no agenda items listed
The Milton Community Preservation Committee is holding a hybrid meeting on June 22, 2026. The agenda contains only procedural boilerplate and no specific topics for discussion or decision.
Agricultural Land Preservation Advisory Committee meeting cancelled
This meeting of the New Castle County Agricultural Lands Preservation Advisory Committee has been cancelled. The agenda would have covered the status of the Delaware Department of Agriculture Secretary's Designee, a review of previous outreach discussions, public comment, and scheduling the next meeting.
Historic District Commission to review ADA ramp at Legislative Hall and vinyl siding permit
The Dover Historic District Commission will consider a revised application for an ADA ramp at Legislative Hall and review a referred siding permit for a building on S. Governors Avenue. The meeting also includes adoption of past minutes and staff reports. Public comments are invited.
Review of revised ADA ramp addition for Legislative Hall at 411 Legislative Ave
The Historic District Commission will consider a revised application (HI-24-07) to add an approximately 160‑foot ADA ramp at the west entrance of the Legislative Hall Building. The commission will also review a siding permit (HI-26-02) for 108 S. Governors Avenue. Routine agenda items include approval of minutes from…
Commission considers codifying its role in city code
The Lewes African American Heritage Commission will discuss and possibly vote on adding language to the City Code to formalize its establishment. They will also continue planning for the 2027 Black History Month program, discuss grants and fundraising, and consider community appreciation awards.
Planning Commission to review second draft of Future Land Use Map and two map-change petitions
The Georgetown Planning Commission will discuss the second draft of the Future Land Use Map as part of the Comprehensive Plan 5-year review. They will also review two map-change petitions for Cedarcrest and 502-506 E. Market Street. Additionally, a historic review case for alterations at 18 The Circle is on the agenda.
No substantive items on agenda
The Community Preservation Committee agenda contains only procedural boilerplate, with no specific topics for discussion or decision listed. The meeting notice includes remote access details and ADA accommodations information.
City to decide on Chamber visitor center lease amid historical society interest
Commissioners will discuss and possibly execute a one-year lease for the Chamber of Commerce at the Railroad Depot visitor center (501 Rehoboth Ave), with automatic renewals and rent starting at $11,000/year. They will also consider a lease for Main Street at 509 Rehoboth Avenue and a new ordinance requiring aged…