Commission Created Residential Design Guidelines

The Rock Island Preservation Commission has created Residential Design Guidelines for Rock Island Historic Districts and Landmarks to assist property owners in selecting appropriate and historically sensitive designs for their property sites, exterior house alterations and new home construction. Changes to buildings are often inevitable, and these guidelines will assist Rock Island historic homeowners with ways to maintain a “sense of place and time” that makes their homes and neighborhoods special and unique.

While these guidelines are beneficial to all historic homeowners, they will apply specifically to Rock Island Landmark owners and residents in the Highland Park Historic District as they apply for a Certificate of Appropriateness.

Free Booklet Available

Free copies of the 32-page design guidelines booklet are available from the Planning & Redevelopment Division at Rock Island City Hall or can be downloaded. Please contact the Planning and Redevelopment Division at (309) 732.2900 or planning@rigov.org if you would like more information or a copy of the design guidelines mailed to you.

The booklet covers the following: Purpose of guidelines Authority of the Rock Island Preservation Commission Certificate of Appropriateness Architecture styles Guidelines for rehabilitation and additions Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation Specific building elements Additions Guidelines for new construction Guidelines for the property site Technical assistance bibliography Glossary of terms