Demolition Washington County encourages the retention of significant buildings, structures, sites, objects, or other historic resources within the County. Given the irreversible nature of demolition, full deliberation of all alternatives before action is essential. Additional Resources: Preservation Brief #31— Mothballing of Historical Buildings
Demolition Permit Evaluation In considering a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness or comment to demolish a structure, the Commission will weigh the criteria listed in the Evaluation Process previously discussed.
Demolition Permit Review Demolition review is a legal tool that provides the Historic District Commission with the means to ensure that potentially significant buildings and structures are not demolished without notice and review. This process creates a safety net for historic resources to ensure that buildings and structures worthy of preservation are not inadvertently demolished.
Demolition review does not always prevent the demolition of historically significant buildings or structures. Rather, as the name suggests, it allows for review of applications for demolition permits for a specific period to assess a building’s historical significance. If the applicant or the HDC requests additional guidance regarding the property to determine significance or documentation status, the Maryland Historical Trust may be contacted to assess a to-be-demolished structure. The Maryland Historical Trust does not have a formal role in regulating or reviewing local demolitions but will act as a technical resource as needed.
Failure to Comply or Willful Disregard Failure to comply or disregarding these policies will result in applicable fines being administered. The Historic District Commission will review demolition permits for structures 400 square feet or greater or if partial demolition is proposed in coordination with new construction or additions. Reviewable structures are on the Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties (MIHP), within the Historic Preservation Zoning Overlay, Antietam Overlay 1 or 2 or are greater than 50 years old in a Historic Rural Village.
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Historic Structures