HISTORIC DISTRICT

HISTORIC Architectural REVIEW BOARD (HARB)

Through the Pennsylvania Historic District Act of 1961 (PA Act 167), municipalities are authorized to create, protect, and regulate historic districts. These are designated by local ordinance and are overseen by the Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB). The Borough of Ambridge’s ordinance and Historic Architectural Review Board was established in 1971 through the adoption of Ordinance 900.

The Historic District Design Guidelines are a set of approaches and/or recommendations related to repairs, alterations, and additions to existing buildings as well as to new construction, site work, and other changes to the physical environment within the Historic District.

In addition to written recommendations, the Design Guidelines include photographs, drawings, and graphics to illustrate the architectural features, concepts, and approaches described. The Design Guidelines seek to provide guidance to property owners within the Historic Districts in finding appropriate and compatible design solutions for their buildings and for any additions or new construction taking place therein.

All exterior work in the Historic District requiring a building permit and visible from the public right-of-way must be reviewed by HARB staff. If you are looking to renovate or alter a property in the Historic District, and the changes to your building are visible from the street and require a permit, then these Design Guidelines apply to you. Buildings with local historic designation located outside of the Historic District are not subject to the Design Guidelines, though it is still recommended to follow the preservation principles in this document, as they are also relevant to such historic properties. Similarly, buildings in a National Register Historic District are not reviewed by the HARB; only local historic district properties that are performing work with a permit are under review.



• Historic District Design Guidelines