Historic Preservation
The City of Ocala recognizes the value of Historic Preservation in promoting the cultural, economic, educational and general welfare of its citizens and the public at large. As such, the City has included a Historic Preservation Element in its Comprehensive Plan and a Section on Historic Preservation (Chapter 94) in the City of Ocala Code of Ordinances.
Ocala has four National Register Historic Districts: the Ocala Historic District, the Tuscawilla Park Historic District, the Downtown Ocala Commercial Historic District, and the West Ocala Historic District.
Both the Ocala Historic District and the Tuscawilla Park Historic District have also been locally designated. In order to retain the unique historic architectural styles found in these districts, City Council has given the Ocala Historic Preservation Advisory Board (OHPAB) the authority to evaluate: any material change in exterior appearance of existing buildings or structures including re-roofing and re-siding; any new construction; the demolition or partial demolition of any building or structure; the movement of any building or structure into, from or within historic districts and sites; and the alteration of an archaeological site. OHPAB is required to base its evaluation on the criteria contained in Chapter 94: Historic Preservation, of the City of Ocala Code of Ordinances and the United States Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings.
City staff in cooperation with the Ocala Historic Preservation Advisory Board produced the City of Ocala Historic Preservation Design Guidelines to assist property owners in the historic districts with their rehabilitation projects.
:: Historic Preservation Links of Interest ::