Hampton, VA Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)
Key Facts
- Review board
- 5 members, council-appointed
- Permit needed
- certificate of appropriateness
- Review deadline
- 60-90 days
- Demolition denial fallback
- 3-12 month market listing
Summary
Hampton's Historic Preservation Overlay protects individually designated cultural and architectural sites, requiring review-board approval before any alteration or demolition.
The purpose of this article is the preservation of Hampton's cultural and architectural past through the protection of individual sites and areas that reflect this significant heritage. The following regulations are intended to serve this purpose by protecting against the destruction of or encroachment upon such areas, encouraging uses that lead to the area's economic continuance while maintaining the character to be preserved, preventing the creation of adverse environmental influence and protecting property values in the area.
It is intended that the preservation district shall act as an overlay, augmenting rather than replacing the underlying zoning.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 31 | Zoning: Supplement 20).
Full Breakdown
Hampton's O-HP overlay (Zoning Ordinance Chapter 9, Article VII) exists to preserve the city's cultural and architectural past by protecting individual sites and areas of significant heritage. A five-member Preservation Review Board, appointed by city council, investigates and recommends historically or architecturally significant properties for O-HP designation, and must issue a certificate of appropriateness before exterior alteration, new construction, or demolition of any O-HP property. If demolition is denied, the owner must list the property for sale for a set period, three to twelve months depending on price, before demolishing as of right.
Violations & Fines
Altering, constructing on, or demolishing a designated property without an approved certificate of appropriateness is a zoning violation, enforceable the same as any other breach of the zoning ordinance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a Hampton property a protected cultural site?
Can I demolish a building in Hampton's historic district?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hampton
Compare Hampton to another location·View the Virginia historic preservation overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.