Historic Preservation

Home to Kentucky's Second Largest Historic District. 

Newport is the home of Kentucky's second largest historic district in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Newport has a strong history of preservation and is lucky to have both national and local historic districts and landmarks. For more information on the differences between districts and landmarks at the national and local level, check out the Difference between local historic districts and NR Historic Districts.

Local Historic Districts & Landmarks

The goal of local historic district and landmark designation is to protect the integrity of our community's historic resources. Local designation prevents alterations, new construction, and demolitions that damage or destroy our community's historic character. 

Certificates of Appropriateness

In order to preserve the integrity of Newport's historic districts, property owners in the East Row, York Street, Monmouth Street, and Buena Vista historic districts must obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) for any exterior alterations of their property PRIOR to the commencement of the work. You can apply for Certificates of Appropriateness and many other permits on this. Permit Portal. For more information on the COA process, check out the Guide to COA Process. You can access the Newport Historic Design Review Guidelines here.

The Office of Historic Preservation issues certificates of Appropriateness, though COA applications require review by the Historic Preservation Commission. To determine whether your project requires a COA of Commission review, consult the Historic Design Review Guidelines, contact the Historic Preservation Officer at 859-655-6348, or email Historic Preservation Officer Jennifer Williams.

Not sure whether you're a local historic district? Check out the maps below.

Buena Vista Local Historic District

East Row Local Historic District 

York Street Local Historic District

National Register and Districts & Landmarks

The goal of the National Register of Historic Places is to recognize important sites, but in most cases, these properties are not given extra protection to prevent alteration or even demolition unless federal funds are being used. Importantly, however, being on the National Register of Historic Places means that a portion (20-40%) of the costs of certain repairs and alterations to a property may be covered by the Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program. Have questions about the program? Check out Tax Credits Information or contact the Historic Preservation Office at 859-655-6348 or historicpreservation@newportky.gov. The program is managed by the State Historic Preservation Office (the Kentucky Heritage Council), but we're happy to point you in the right direction. 

Not sure if you're in a National Register District? Check out the maps below. Much of Newport is within a National Register District—map of Multiple National Register Historic Districts. 

Note that this map does not reflect a recent expansion of the York Street National Historic District. Please contact the Historic Preservation office at 859-655-6348 or historicpreservation@newportky.gov if you have any questions about the York Street National Historic District. 

Historic Design Review Guidelines Update

We are looking for feedback on our Historic Design Review Guidelines! Are they working? What would you like to see changed? Submit questions or comments about the Historic Design Review Guidelines to hpguidelines@newportky.gov
Historic Design Review Guidelines