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Historic, Conservation, and National Register Districts

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Example of a contributing historic resource in the South Portland Historic District
Learn more about Portland’s Historic, Conservation, and National Register Districts, with links to maps of each district.
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Historic, Conservation, and National Register Districts are geographic areas that have a concentration of thematically related historic resources. In general, Historic, Conservation, and National Register Districts are collections of historic resources that in and of themselves may not be eligible for individual designation but together convey a significant story.

Properties in Historic, Conservation, and National Register Districts are classified as either "contributing" or "non-contributing.” Contributing resources were built during the district’s period of historic significance and retain physical integrity from the historic period. Non-contributing resources were built after the district’s period of historic significance or have been too altered to convey adequate physical integrity from the historic period. Although different historic resource protections apply to contributing and non-contributing resources, certain protections apply throughout Historic, Conservation, and National Register Districts to ensure the preservation of their unique qualities.

Historic Districts

Historic Districts are designated by the City. All of Portland's Historic Districts are also listed in the National Register of Historic Places and four Historic Districts were previously designated as Conservation Districts.

Conservation Districts

Conservation Districts are designated by the City. All of Portland’s existing Conservation Districts were created as a result of the 1993 Albina Community Plan.

National Register Districts

National Register Districts have been listed in the National Register of Historic Places by the National Park Service, but have not been designated as a Historic or Conservation District by the City.

More information

Additional documentation regarding Historic, Conservation, and National Register Districts, including documentation regarding specific contributing and non-contributing resources, can be found in the Historic Resource Inventory.

Read more about making changes to a historic resource that applies in Historic, Conservation, and National Register Districts.

District-specific design guidelines applicable to certain Historic and Conservation Districts can be found on the Design Guideline Documents page.

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