Historic Preservation in Pennsylvania (2026)
10 rules on the books across Pennsylvania, 10 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Historic-Cultural Monuments
How buildings, sites, and trees are nominated and designated as Historic-Cultural Monuments, the protections that follow, and the demolition-stay process.
Haverford
Significant RestrictionsHaverford Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, protects buildings, sites, monuments and objects through a Historic…
Read full rule →Lower Merion
Significant RestrictionsLower Merion Township protects culturally significant buildings and sites through a seven-member Historical Commission…
Read full rule →Lower Paxton
Significant RestrictionsLower Paxton Township, Pennsylvania reviews demolition of historic buildings under Zoning Code § 203-306. The rule…
Read full rule →Pittsburgh
Significant RestrictionsPittsburgh's Public Art & Civic Design Commission must review and approve in writing any addition, modification…
Read full rule →Reading
Significant RestrictionsReading requires city review and City Council approval before any monument, statue, marker or plaque can be placed on…
Read full rule →Scranton
Significant RestrictionsScranton requires its Commission for Architectural and Urban Design Review to sign off before any work of art, monument…
Read full rule →Bristol Township
Some RestrictionsIn Bristol Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, every zoning permit, subdivision and land development application must…
Read full rule →Philadelphia
Some RestrictionsThe Philadelphia Historical Commission individually designates buildings, sites, structures, and objects under Code…
Read full rule →Bensalem
Light RestrictionsBensalem Township protects historically significant buildings and landscapes through an opt-in Historic Resources…
Read full rule →Franklin Township
Light RestrictionsIn Franklin Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, the Historical Architectural Review Board is charged with surveying…
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