City Historic Preservation Officer - Glenna Booth, Office of the Mayor -- 253-9703

Agenda for Next Meeting

Eureka Springs was the first Historic District in Arkansas, placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. At the time of this designation, the entire city limits of about two square miles were named as the Historic District. In 2005, a second nomination was approved by the National Park Service, establishing Eureka Springs as Nationally Significant district on the National Register of Historic Places ‚ the only one in Arkansas!

Eureka Springs has also received additional recognitions:

Preserve America Community, 2005

(US President‚ Advisory Council on Historic Preservation)

One of ‚Twelve Distinctive Destinations‚ 2001

National Trust for Historic Preservation

Recipient of Save America‚ Treasures Grant 2004

U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service

Oldest Continuing Tree City USA in Arkansas

Community of the Year, Meritorious Achievement Award 2005

Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission

Volunteer Community of the Year 2004

Arkansas Division of Volunteerism, Arkansas Municipal League

One of America‚ Top 25 Art Communities 2005

American Style Magazine

The HDC‚ overall goal is to preserve and protect our town, not to complicate the lives of property owners! Our shared heritage - the visual, architectural character of Eureka Springs‚ historic district - is precious. It can neither be found anywhere else in America, nor can it be duplicated or faked.

Change is regulated by issuing Certificates of Appropriateness (CofA’s) for work planned on property in the historic district.

A CofA is required when doing any work on the exterior of a building, or on built site improvements. All changes, restoration, maintenance and alterations to buildings, grounds and properties within the boundaries of the district as set by the National Historic Register are subject to approval by the Historic District Commission. A map is available to determine if you live in the district. A CofA is always required, even if a building permit is not. You may pick up your application at City Hall. The Eureka Springs Historic District Guidelines are available for you to review at City Hall or click below to view them on this website.

DESIGN REVIEW BASIC GUIDELINES FOR HISTORIC STRUCTURES, click here. DESIGN REVIEW GUIDELINES FOR DESIGNATED NON-HISTORIC RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD, click here. GUIDELINES FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION , click here. Philosophy of Design Review , click here. To read or download an APPLICATION FORM, click here.

To read the History of the Eureka Springs Historic District, click here.

To send e-mail to the Commission, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions
Meetings and Deadlines

Meetings are regularly scheduled for 6 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays of each month. Meetings are broadcast live over Cable Channel 21.

Level II and Level III documentations must be received at least 10 days before meeting date. Level II property line fences/walls and all Level III will require an HDC site visit prior to meeting. New construction and addition footprints must be visually marked for the site visit. Receptionist will provide a checklist for these Level III applications.

To view or download the Historic District Commission Basic Guidelines