Is there a difference between a LOCAL historic district and STATE/NATIONAL historic district?
Yes. A district can be one or both. There’s also a difference in terminology: a LOCAL historic district is “designated” as such, whereas a STATE/NATIONAL historic district is “listed on the National Registers of Historic Places.” A LOCAL historic district is one designated by the Buffalo Common Council. Application is made through the City of Buffalo Preservation Board. A STATE historic district is listed on the State Register of Historic Places. Application is made through the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). A NATIONAL historic district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Application is made through the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). Once the district is listed on the State Register of Historic Places, SHPO sends the application to the the National Register. Listing on the National Register is virtually certain.
