Historical Commission FAQs

Please email us at historicalcommission@upperdublin.org

Please contact the Historical Commission by email at historicalcommission@upperdublin.org. Make sure to include any pertinent information about the property, especially its address, possible age, and the name and contact information of the owner, if known. 

Owners of homes listed on the historic inventory receive a number of benefits. Check this webpage for more information.

Check the ordinances  on this page.

If deemed necessary, the Zoning Officer will send the application to the Historical Commission and the Planning Commission for review. The Historical Commission may request a public hearing with the owners (or their representatives) and will then send its recommendations on the permit application to the Director of Code Enforcement to be transferred to the Board of Commissioners. The Board of Commissioners make the final determination of whether to approve of the application.

Detailed descriptions can be found in Ordinances 1175 and 11-1241.

Class I Resources may meet ANY of the following criteria:

1. Is listed in the National Register of Historic Places; or
2. Has been deemed eligible by the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission (PHMC) for listing in the National Register of Historic Places; or
3. Is designated by the Secretary of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark; or
4. Is classified as a "certified historic structure" by the Secretary of the Interior.
5. If documented as "Contributing Resources" in any National Register Historic District.
6. If documented as "Contributing Resources" in any local historic district certified by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) in accordance with Pennsylvania Act 167

Class II Resources are buildings, structures, or sites, or a complex of the same, that meet any three of the following criteria:

1. Has significant character, interest or value as part of the development, heritage or cultural characteristics of the Township, County, Region,
   Commonwealth or Nation, or is associated with the life of a person significant in the past; or
2. Is associated with an event of importance to the history of the Township, County, Region, Commonwealth or Nation, or
3. Embodies an icon associated with an era characterized by a distinctive architectural style; or
4. Embodies distinguishing characteristics of an architectural style or engineering specimen; or
5. Is the noteworthy work of a designer, architect, landscape architect or designer, or engineer whose work has significantly influenced the
   historical, architectural, economic, social, or cultural development of the Township, County, Region, Commonwealth or Nation; or
6. Contains elements of design, detail, materials or craftsmanship which represent a significant innovation; or
7. Is part of or related to a commercial center, park, community or other distinctive area which should be preserved according to an historic,
   cultural or architectural motif; or
8. Owing to its unique location or singular physical characteristic, represents an established and familiar visual feature of the neighborhood, community or Township; or
9. Has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history; or
10. Exemplifies the cultural, political, economic, social or historical heritage of the community
    
    
    

The Upper Dublin Historical Commission seeks to foster awareness and appreciation of our community’s history, encourage the preservation of local resources, and offer information and assistance to residents and owners of commercial and residential properties.

Before committing significant time or money into a project, a good first step is to speak with the Upper Dublin Zoning Officer, Riley McGrath (rmcgrath@upperdublin.net). It may also benefit you to email the Historical Commission and describe your project and any concerns you have (historicalcommission@upperdublin.org).  If you then determine that you must seek a permit for this project, make sure to familiarize yourself with ordinances relating to historic properties and also include the Class Level (I or II) on the permit application.

Historical Commission meetings take place the fourth Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the UD Public Library. Links to virtual meetings are posted to the meeting webpage. All meetings are open to the public. Visit the Meeting Calendar to check on meeting days, dates, times and locations.

If you contact the UD Zoning Officer and/or Historical Commission, we can likely guide you on the process you need to take with your historical resource, potentially saving you time and money.

rmcgrath@upperdublin.net

historicalcommission@upperdublin.org