Welcome!

Property Owners:
All exterior alterations within the H-1 Overlay must be reviewed and approved by the BAR.

Download the Application Form and Design Guidelines here.

Click here for meeting schedule and application deadlines.

The Richmond Board of Architectural Review (BAR) is a six-member, city-appointed advisory group responsible for regulating local historical and cultural resources for the City of Richmond, Madison County, Kentucky. The BAR's authority was established in Article IV, section 410 of the City's Development Ordinance ( more information).

The BAR is responsible for reviewing proposals for building alterations, new construction, and demolition within the H-1 overlay zone . Other duties include review of National Register or landmark designations and conducting an ongoing inventory of historic city properties.

The BAR evaluates proposals for building alterations according to the City's published Design Guidelines (available free on this site) when making its decisions.

When a property owner whose building is within the current historic overlay district proposes to make a substantial change to the outside appearance of the building, he or she must first apply to the BAR for a Certificate of Appropriateness . Currently, the Downtown Historic District is the only regulated H-1 zone within the City.

PO Box 250
239 West Main Street
Richmond, Kentucky 40475
www.richmond-bar.com

 

Downtown Richmond Street Scene, ca. 1906

PURPOSE
. . .to protect structures and districts designated
as having substantial historical, cultural, or
architectural importance;

. . .to increase community pride and enhance the
identity of the City;

. . .to strengthen the City's economic base by
encouraging the preservation of its viable and
distinctive neighborhoods

. . . and to assure that new structures and uses
with Historic Districts will be in keeping with
the character to be preserved and enhanced.
-- Richmond Development Ordinance 2006


H-1 Boundary Map

Click for more information about the H-1 Overlay Zone and requirements for property owners.