Historic District Commission

Meetings

  • 6:30 p.m.
  • 4th Monday of each month
  • City Hall
    Room 208

Agendas & Minutes

In accordance with RSA 91-A, the Historic District Commission prepares written minutes of all Historic District Commission meetings within 5 business days of the meeting. The minutes are unofficial until adopted by the Historic District Commission at their next regularly scheduled meeting.

Note: Click on the meeting date to view the minutes. The files will open in a new window. If you cannot open the files download and install Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes to be available not more than 5 business days after the meeting.
View Most Recent Agendas and Minutes

Commission Description

The Historic District Commission…shall have the power to accept, review and act upon all applications for building permits in reference to properties situated within the boundaries of any Historic District established herein. Such power of review and approval or disapproval shall be limited to those considerations which affect the relationship of the applicant's proposal to its surroundings, to the locating and arrangement of structures, to the architectural treatment of the exterior features and finish of structures, and to the compatibility of land uses within the district as they may be deemed to affect the character and integrity of the district to achieve the purposes of this article. The Historic District Commission shall consist of seven members appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Board of Aldermen, one member who is an Alderman, appointed by the President of the Board of Aldermen, and one member who is the Mayor or the Mayor's designee. All members shall be residents of the City. One member shall be a representative of a local nonprofit historical organization, one member shall be a registered architect, one member shall be an Alderman, one member shall be the Mayor or the Mayor's designee, one member shall be a member of the Planning Board, one member shall be a resident of a designated Historic District, if possible, and there shall be one other member….The members of the Commission shall be appointed for three-year terms. Initial appointments shall be staggered so that subsequent appointments shall not occur at the same time. [Excerpts from NRO Chapter 190, Part 7, Article XLI].

About the Commission

On July 9, 1980 the Nashua Historic District Commission (HDC) was established by the Board of Aldermen to enhance, recognize and strengthen Nashua's heritage. 

Responsibilities

The HDC is responsible for the review and approval of all building permit applications located within the Nashua Historic District. On occasion, the HDC is also asked to comment regarding applications scheduled before various city boards in reference to the historic significance of properties both within and outside of the historic district.

Members

The Commission consists of 7 members, and 3 alternate members, all of whom are appointed by the Mayor and Aldermen for a 3-year term. The composition of the Commission includes:
  • The Mayor or his appointed representative
  • 1 Member of the Board of Alderman
  • 1 Member of a local nonprofit historical organization
  • 1 Resident of the Historic District
  • 1 Registered Architect
  • 1 Member of the Planning Board

Application Process

Find out what you need to do to apply for changes to a historical building.
Please note: In particular in your application package:
  • Changes to signage
  • Major alterations
  • New additions
  • Changes to windows and doors
  • Structural changes to roof
  • Siding materials
  • Repair or alteration to decorative details
  • Types of materials being used
Include the following with your application:
  • Existing photographs of the building (all sides)
  • Photographs of the building in context
  • Older photographs of the building, if available
  • Clear and accurate drawings, to scale and with accurate measurements (pencil, graph paper and tracing paper maybe used)
  • Samples of new materials to be used
Maintenance & Repair
Approval is not required for ordinary maintenance and repair, siding or painting as long as it does not alter or destroy any of the architectural features of the building; roofing or re-roofing, providing the roof plane remains the same; or storm windows and doors as long as the existing architectural elements are left intact.

For further questions, please call the Zoning Official at 603-589-3090.

Applying for Changes
The HDC is committed to help preserve the historic character of your property. As a property owner in Nashua’s Historic District, there are certain specific regulations that apply to your building. Changes to the exterior that require a building permit must also be reviewed by the Historic District Commission (HDC). All proposed changes for alterations, additions, and new construction must conform to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards of Rehabilitation. When applying to the HDC, prepare an explanation of the proposed changes to the property and submit said application to the HDC office located in the Community Development Division on the 2nd floor of City Hall.