Historic Districts and Preservation in Decatur
 |
| A 2003 Design Award home on historic Adams Street. |
Overview
Historical, cultural and aesthetic heritage is among the City's most valued and important assets. As the first city in DeKalb County and one of the oldest in metro Atlanta, Decatur is home to some of the oldest buildings in DeKalb County and many are of local or regional importance. The City was largely built out during the 1920s with Craftsman bungalows. Houses dating from the early 1900s are common throughout many of the City's neighborhoods. In 1990, the Decatur City Commission created the Decatur Historic Preservation Commission to guide preservation efforts.
For more information on Historic Preservation in Decatur, contact Regina Brewer, Preservation Planner at 404-371-8386/ email, or contact Amanda Thompson, Planning Director, at 404-370-4102/ email.
Historic Preservation Commission
Historic Preservation in Decatur is guided by the Historic Preservation Commission, which issues Certificates of Appropriateness for projects located within the four local historic districts or one of the two local historic landmarks - the Old DeKalb Courthouse and the Old Scottish Rite Hospital campus - to ensure that any material change is consistent with the historical character of the property.
Local Historic Districts
There are four local historic districts in Decatur: the McDonough-Adams-Kings Highway (MAK), Clairemont Avenue, The Ponce de Leon Court, and Old Decatur Local Historic districts. Each district has a unique set of guidelines developed by the neighborhoods in conjunction with the Historic Preservation Commission.
>Link to City of Decatur Zoning Map showing Local Historic District Overlays (PDF)
Local Historic District Guidelines
For a copy of the district guidelines, please click on the link below.
How do I get my neighborhood designated as a local historic district?
The City Commission, through a cooperative process with the Historic Preservation Commission and the city's neighborhoods, can create local historic districts to help preserve the historic character of the neighborhoods. A historic district is a geographically designated area that contains buildings, structures, sites, objects, landscape features and works of art or a combination thereof, which:
- Have special character or special historic/aesthetic value or interest;
- Represent one or more periods, styles or types of architecture typical of one or more areas in the history of the municipality, county, state or region; and
- Cause such area, by reason of such factors, to constitute a visibly perceptible section of the municipality or county.
For more information on how to get your neighborhood designated as a local historic district, check Article III, Section 58 in Decatur's Code of Ordinances or contact Regina Brewer at 404-371-8386 or send an email.
How do I apply for a Certificate of Appropriateness?
To apply for a Certificate of Appropriateness, submit eight copies of the completed application to Regina Brewer, 509 N. McDonough St., 10 days before the scheduled Historic Preservation Commission meeting. For a Certificate of Appropriateness application, or for more information, contact Regina Brewer at 404-371-8386 or send an email.
Design Awards
Every year, the City of Decatur Historic Preservation Commission presents its annual Decatur Design Awards to recognize contributions made to retain the historic character of the City. Awards are presented each November in ceremonies at the Old Decatur Courthouse. The Commission gives awards in the following five categories:
- Infill Construction
- Residential Rehabilitation
- Commercial Rehabilitation
- Adaptive Reuse
- Commercial Interior.
To suggest a property for the Commission to consider for an award or for more information on the Decatur Design Awards please contact Regina Brewer at 404-371-8386.