Historic District Commission

Established by ordinance in 1966 by the Mayor and Council and guided by its rules of procedure, the Historic District Commission is responsible for:

• Identifying and recommending areas deemed eligible for historic designation due to their historic, archaeological, or architectural significance.
• Reviewing applications for construction or exterior alterations in historic districts.
• Evaluating eligibility for any site or building outside a historic zone for which demolition or substantial reconstruction is proposed.
• Providing courtesy reviews as requested.

The establishment of historic districts, as stated in the Annotated Code of Maryland, Land Use Article, Title 8, is for the purpose of:

• Safeguarding the heritage of Rockville by preserving districts which reflect its cultural, social, economic, political, or architectural history.
• Stabilizing and improving property values within these districts.
• Fostering civic beauty.
• Strengthening the local economy.
• Promoting the use and preservation of historic districts for the education, welfare, and pleasure of the residents of Rockville.

Rockville is designated as a Certified Local Government by the National Park Service and Maryland Historical Trust, indicating its commitment to upholding national historic preservation standards by enacting a historic preservation ordinance and appointing a qualified historic preservation commission. 

Commission meetings are open to the public and televised live on Rockville 11. Meeting agendas are published one week prior to each meeting date. Learn more about the commission by reading its annual reports: