Historic District

The City of Ypsilanti's Historic District Commission (HDC) guides development and renovation in the local historic district, safeguarding Ypsilanti's historic built environment according to the provisions of the City of Ypsilanti's Historical Preservation Ordinance.

Any work proposed on the exterior of a structure within the local historic district must be reviewed by the HDC; this includes new construction as well as the reconstruction, rehabilitation, restoration, or painting of any property or landmark within the district. Site work, such as driveways, retaining walls, and fences, also require approval from the HDC. Some normal maintenance activities, such as touching up paint with the same color, do not require HDC approval.

Property owners seeking guidance on upcoming work plans are strongly encouraged to attend an HDC meeting as a study item before submitting a final application.  Please contact the City's Preservation Planner, Carrie Malas, at cmalas@cityofypsilanti.com or 734-482-9709 to discuss your project or other general preservation concerns. To learn more about the HDC and the application process, please review this FAQ sheet.

Ypsilanti Local Historic District Map


Recent Updates

2025 Local Historic District Resurvey

In 2024, the City received a grant from the National Park Service and the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office to resurvey our local historic district. Vinewood Preservation Planning recently completed the survey, and a public meeting was held in July of 2025 to discuss the results and recommendations of the survey. The recording of this meeting is available to watch at this link. The full survey report and survey forms for each property are available to view and download at this link.

Michigan's State Historic Tax Credit Program (up to 25%)

Rehabilitating your home in one of Ypsilanti's historic districts? Your project may qualify for up to a 25% tax credit for qualified rehabilitation expenses. Eligible properties must have a contributing (historic) status within a local, state, or National Register historic district. Follow this link to learn more about the program and watch this info session presented by Mara Lancaster with Michigan's State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). More details can be found at SHPO's website or by contacting the City's Preservation Planner.


HDC Work Permit Applications

Application Forms

  1. HDC Work Permit Application
  2. Historic District Demolition Permit Application
  3. HDC Calendar of Meetings 2026

Applications are due by 4 p.m. on the Friday 11 days prior to the meeting, at the Building Department front counter on the third floor of City Hall or via BS&A Online. Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted, and it is highly encouraged to contact the Preservation Planner well before the deadline with questions or concerns. Several project-specific questions may be answered by the HDC's Fact Sheets posted below.

HDC Fact Sheets

The Historic District Commission is providing these policy statements for the purpose of assisting property owners and building contractors in planning an appropriate rehabilitation of structures located within the Historic District. Your building permit application, made at the Building Inspection Department, will be forwarded to the Historic District Commission for review and must be approved by the Commission before any work can begin.

  1. Alternative Energy
  2. Alternative Materials
  3. Demolition and Moving
  4. Doors
  5. Fencing
  6. Graffiti Abatement
  7. Historic District General Information
  8. Lighting
  9. Masonry Repair and Cleaning
  10. Porches
  11. Roofing and Satellite Dishes
  12. Signs and Awnings
  13. Windows

Historic District Study Reports

  1. Local Historic District Survey Report (2025)
  2. City Wide Historical and Architectural Survey (1983)
  3. Edison Power House Historic Study
  4. HDC Study Committee Report, 1972
Access Ypsilanti Heritage Foundation's Architectural Style Guide for more information on the building styles that can be found in Ypsilanti.