Why have design guidelines?

The city of Delray Beach has a rich and colorful history that is embodied in its historic architecture. These historic properties define the period of the city's growth, and are expressions of another age. They give character and a sense of permanence to the city that helps to stabilize property values, promotes interest in local history and fosters civic pride.

The historic preservation program in Delray Beach began in 1987 with the enactment of an ordinance by the City Commission. The ordinance establishes formal procedures and standards that are used to judge the merit of historic properties and identifies measures that will protect those properties. One of these protective measures is to review significant changes, such as alterations or additions, to historic properties, in order to preserve their character while responding to the needs of the present.

The Delray Beach Design Guidelines were produced to assist owners with recommended approaches to additions, alterations and design for new construction for both historic districts and individual sites. Because they are guidelines, there is always an allowance for interpretation; because they involve a design process, there may be more than one successful solution. Design guidelines also are used by City staff, the Historic Preservation Board and City officials in their decision making process when considering the issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness. The goal of the historic preservation program in Delray Beach is to develop a vibrant and unique historical setting that co-exists with and complements evolving new development. An important step in achieving this goal is to identify the unique character of the city's architecture so that future changes to important historic properties are consistent with accepted preservation principles.

Who may use these guidelines?

Design guidelines are intended as a useful tool for design professionals, homeowners, builders, government officials and other interested parties. Because the guidelines address the character of historic property types in general, anyone who rehabilitates an older building can find relevant information in this guide. While the guidelines are especially directed to owners of properties that are listed in the Delray Beach Register of Historic Places, who are required to undergo a review process when changes to a historic building are made, they are equally useful to anyone who is involved in the rehabilitation of a vintage property or any one building within the five historic districts.

How are the design guidelines administered?

The City of Delray Beach's Historic Preservation Ordinance established a citizen review board composed of both laypersons and professionals who are empowered to judge the appropriateness of an alteration or addition or new infill in consultation with the Board liaison. The city's Historic Preservation Planner is a staff member of the Planning and Zoning Department, and should be consulted for any questions or to receive any additional information. The Delray Beach Preservation Planner may be reached at the Planning and Zoning Department, City Hall, First Floor, 100 Northwest First Avenue, Delray Beach (561) 243-7040, or e-mail at pzmail@MyDelrayBeach.com.

The Guidelines are provided below. The document has been divided into sections to reduce download time and to allow the reader to focus on specific elements.

 Section 1 - Purpose of Design Guidelines  (235 kb)

 Section 2 - Identifying and Preserving the City's Historic Legacy  (1315 kb)

 Section 3 - Process and Procedures  (251 kb)

 Section 4 - Prevalent Styles of Architecture  (1466 kb)

 Section 5 - Design Principals and Recommended Rehabilitation Treatments  (564 kb)

 Section 6 - New Construction (251 kb)

 Section 7 - Special Design Considerations  (522 kb)

 Section 8 - Requests for Demolition or Relocation and Appeals  (249 kb)

 Section 9 - Historic Preservation Incentives, and Appendices   (316kb)