The Philadelphia Register of Historic Places is an inventory of historic resources that have been designated by the Historical Commission. To be considered for the register, a property must meet certain criteria for designation.

Historic districts are collections of historic resources linked by a location or theme. The Historical Commission gathers information about these districts, including:

• Narratives that describe their significance.
• Inventories of resources within their boundaries.
• Maps.
• Manuals for property owners.
• Miscellaneous documents, such as ordinances.

Owners of historic properties have certain obligations under the historic preservation ordinance. You must:

• Get approval from the Historical Commission before you work on the property.
• Follow the terms of the commission’s approvals.
• Keep your property in good condition.

If you own a historic property, you can learn about what designation means for you.