The Hillsborough Historic District was created in 1973 through passage of a preservation ordinance. The district presents a visual history of Hillsborough's development and includes the town’s commercial core and surrounding residential neighborhoods.

The district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and contains more than 100 houses, churches and buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries. Included is development from Georgian- and Federal-style buildings dating to the late 1700s to contemporary construction.

The town's historic district overlaps with the National Register of Historic Places district, but it is a separate designation.

• Historic District Inventory
• Historic District Map

Mission

The commission’s mission is to identify, protect and preserve Hillsborough's architectural resources and to educate the public about those resources and preservation in general. It conducts an awards program for noteworthy historic preservation projects in town.

Role

The commission has a quasi-judicial role. The commission:

• Hears evidence.
• Determines relevant facts.
• Ensures the changes are not conflicting with the special character of the historic district or landmark.

Regulation

It is against the law to begin building, moving, demolishing, altering or restoring any structure or site within the Historic District before a Certificate of Appropriateness has been issued by the commission or approved by staff as a minor work or ordinary maintenance and repair. See the Design Standards section on this page.

• Require a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic District Commission.
• Be exempt from permitting.
• Be approvable as a minor works item by Planning and Economic Development Division staff.

• Compatibility Matrix
• Historic District Design Standards (effective Sept. 3, 2021)
• Historic District Signage Matrix

Composition

A majority of the commission’s members have specialized training or an interest in architecture, preservation, archaeology, history or building methods.

Terms

Committee members serve three-year terms, with the opportunity for reappointment for a second full term. After serving two complete terms and any partial term, a member shall be ineligible for reappointment until one calendar year has expired.

Members

Membership

Meetings are at 6:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month in the Town Hall Annex, 105 E. Corbin St. in Hillsborough. See agenda packets and minutes on the town's meetings site.

The town does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its services, programs or activities. See the Americans with Disabilities Act Policy page.