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Historic Preservation Pages
The purpose of these web pages is to provide useful information on Historic Preservation within the City.
Click here for a list of useful websites which contain technical and financial assistance information.
Click here for a discussion of the City's Historic Preservation Regulations
Click here to download regulations, applications, instructions and the City's Historic Preservation Plan
Click here to download a map of the Historic District

Historic Saratoga Springs

Several beautiful neighborhoods and Broadway comprise the historic districts. These areas contain some of the loveliest and most historic architecture in Saratoga Springs. If you live in one of the mansions on Union Avenue, a carriage house on Grand Avenue, or operate a business on Broadway, you are part of the history of Saratoga Springs.

What does it mean to be a "Historic District"?

In 1977, the City enacted a local historic preservation ordinance to provide for designation of buildings and neighborhoods of special historic and architectural character in order to protect them from destruction, insensitive rehabilitation or new construction. A "review process" exists to review proposed changes to buildings within the districts. The goal of the process is to protect the architectural character of the Historic District's buildings while allowing owners the flexibility to adapt the structures to changing needs.

What are the districts?

The general outlines of the districts are described below. Detailed maps of the districts are available at the Planning Department office in City Hall.

• Union Avenue: Both sides of Union Avenue from Regent Street to Ludlow Street as well as structures located on the parallel streets and alleys to the north and south.
• Eastside Area: 400 structures on Circular Street, Nelson Avenue, Spring, George, Court, York, Phila, and Caroline Streets, Lake, Madison, Fifth, and East Avenues, and the alleyways: Cottage, Mitchell, Diamond, Morton, Talford Place, and Starbuck Lane
• Congress Park Area: Congress Park and sections of Broadway from Circular to Spring Streets, Sections of Circular and Regent south of Spring Street.
• Hillside Area: Phila, Lafayette and Caroline between Henry and Circular Streets.
• Broadway Area: Section of Broadway stretching from Spring Street to Van Dam Street.
• North Broadway Area: North Broadway from Van Dam to Fourth Street, includes buildings on Greenfield, Clement, Woodlawn, Clinton, State and First Streets, and Carriage House Lane.
• Franklin Square Area: One block west of Broadway along Grand Avenue, Franklin, Division , Clinton, Walton and West Harrison Streets.

When is Design Review required?

A property owner, lessee or purchaser under contract of sale seeking to make any exterior changes, erect a sign, build or demolish property is required to receive DRC approval prior to issuance of a building permit if the property is located within one of the City's historic districts, within one of the City's architectural* districts, or if it is a City landmark. Failure to obtain DRC approval prior to the start of a project could result in substantial fines. The DRC has no jurisdiction over interior changes, ordinary maintenance, or paint color (except in non-residential districts.)

* The Architectural Districts are the main entrances to the city:

Several properties have deeded covenants which require property owners receive approval from Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation (SSPF) Major Properties Committee prior to DRC Approval. These properties received façade improvement assistance from the City of Saratoga Springs under the Community Development Block Grant Program or from a Federal Historic Preservation Fund Grant from the State Historic Preservation Office. Exterior changes to the properties listed below require approval from the SSPF.