What is the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC)?
The Bennington Vermont Historic Preservation Commission’s main role is planning and advocating for the protection and appreciation of Bennington’s historic and architecturally significant resources. Our primary tasks involve reviewing applications for signage and facade changes within the Downtown Historic District. We also provide technical assistance, education and guidance as needed in planning and preserving all historic resources within Bennington. The HPC serves as an advisory commission to the Development Review Board, Planning Commission and Select Board.
What does the Historic Preservation Commission do?
- Planning and advocating for the protection and appreciation of Bennington’s historic and architecturally significant resources
- Reviewing applications for signage and facade changes within the Downtown Historic District / Design Review District
- Technical assistance, education and guidance as needed in planning and preserving all historic resources within Bennington
- Advisory commission to the Development Review Board, Planning Commission and Select Board
What is the Design Review District?
Bennington has a Historic Downtown that has many original buildings and details intact. The Town of Bennington decided that this is an asset worth protecting, and passed an ordinance creating an overlay district called the Design Review District, which requires exterior changes to be reviewed by the Historic Preservation Commission. Learn more at History of Bennington.
View the Downtown Historic District Map
Check my address to see if it is in the District using the Grand List Lookup Tool
Try our Grand List lookup tool below. If your property is in the district, there will be a message "This property is within the
Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) Review District" in red. If your property is NOT in the district, the message will not appear.
Does my project need to be reviewed by the HPC?
- Use this linked flow chart to help you determine if your project requires review by the Historic Preservation Commission.
- When the HPC reviews a project, they use “Time and Place in Bennington” to determine if the project is in compliance with the design standards for the district.
- For more information, visit our Ordinances and Permits section.
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