Buying in the Leesburg Historic District: BAR Review, Certificates of Appropriateness and Tax Credits
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What the Old and Historic District Overlay Means for Paint, Windows, Additions and Demolition, and the Questions to Ask Before You Buy Downtown
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Quick Answer: What Does It Mean to Own a Home in Leesburg’s Historic District?
Last updated October 15, 2026
Quick answer: downtown Leesburg is both a National Register historic district and a Town of Leesburg zoning overlay. The National Register listing (1970, enlarged in 2002) is honorary and opens the door to tax credits; the town’s Old and Historic District overlay is what governs work on your house. The town requires a Certificate of Appropriateness for all exterior alterations in the district, including in-kind replacement of materials. Preservation staff can approve minor items such as paint colors, in-kind roof replacement, storm windows and shutters; new construction, additions, window and door replacement, decks, material changes and demolition go to the Board of Architectural Review (BAR) at a public hearing. Interior work is not reviewed.
Your Leesburg realtor: Nikki Lagouros is the #1 selling realtor in Northern Virginia by units sold since 2020, based on RealTrends rankings and her team’s transaction records. See Rankings & Data, Living in Leesburg, all areas served, or contact Nikki. Call 703-596-5065 or text Nikki.
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Two Designations: The National Register and the Town Overlay
National Register and Virginia Landmarks Register: the Leesburg Historic District (DHR 253-0035) was listed in 1970, and its boundary was increased in 2002 to take in more late-19th- and early-20th-century buildings. The district centers on the court square with the 1895 Loudoun County Courthouse. Listing recognizes historic significance; it does not by itself restrict what a private owner does with private funds.
Town of Leesburg Old and Historic District (H-1 overlay): this local zoning overlay is what triggers design review. The town also reviews most exterior changes in its Gateway and H-2 Corridor districts. To see which overlay applies to a property, check the town’s GIS map portal or ask preservation staff.
Staff Approval vs. BAR Review
| Type of work | Who reviews it | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Paint color changes, in-kind roof replacement, lighting, storm windows and doors, shutters, residential walkways, most signs | Preservation staff (administrative approval) | No public hearing; can be submitted anytime |
| One rear-yard accessory structure under 100 sq. ft., rear-yard patios under 200 sq. ft., landscape walls up to 24 inches | Preservation staff (administrative approval) | Staff can refer applications that don’t meet the guidelines to the BAR |
| New construction, additions, decks and larger patios, window and door replacement, material changes, demolition | Board of Architectural Review | Public hearing; a sign is posted on the property 15 days ahead and adjacent owners get a letter 10 days ahead |
| Interior work | Not reviewed by the BAR | Building permits still apply |
Source: Town of Leesburg Certificates of Appropriateness. Applications are filed online through the town’s eTRAKiT portal, and late applications move to the following month’s meeting.
Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits
Virginia’s historic rehabilitation tax credit equals 25% of eligible rehabilitation expenses and is available for owner-occupied homes as well as income-producing buildings; the federal credit is 20% and applies only to income-producing property. According to the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, a building generally qualifies for the state credit if it is individually listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register, contributes to a listed historic district, or has been found eligible for individual listing, and the work must meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. Minimum spending thresholds apply, and DHR reviews applications before and after the work. Confirm a specific building’s contributing status and eligibility with DHR’s tax credit program and a tax professional before you count on a credit.
Before You Buy Downtown: A Checklist
- Ask the seller for past Certificates of Appropriateness and any open BAR conditions.
- If you plan an addition, new windows or a rear deck, talk with preservation staff before you go under contract. The town offers downtown office hours at 19 North King Street, 2nd floor (Mondays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesdays 3 to 5 p.m. and Fridays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.), and staff also meet at 222 Catoctin Circle SE, Suite 200.
- Budget for materials that match the historic character; in-kind replacement still needs a certificate.
- Order a thorough inspection for older systems: wiring, plumbing, chimneys, foundations and drainage.
- Check flood risk on FEMA’s flood map and ask about past water in the basement.
- Confirm parking: on-street, private, or a monthly space in a town garage.
- Expect street closures on parade and festival days; see the Leesburg events calendar.
Downtown History in Brief
The Virginia General Assembly established the town in 1758, first called George Town and soon renamed for the Lee family, and the town was incorporated in 1813. Leesburg has been the county seat since 1757, when the Assembly chose the settlement for the Loudoun County courthouse. The town’s Thomas Balch Library publishes a short history of Leesburg and is the place to start research on an old house.
Inside the district, the town bought Rock Spring Farm at 329 Loudoun Street SW in 2026. The property is listed on the National Register and the Virginia Landmarks Register, was the site of the original spring for the town’s water supply, and was a stop on the Marquis de Lafayette’s 1825 visit to Leesburg. More in our development tracker.
Leesburg Historic District FAQ
Do I need approval to paint my house in the Leesburg historic district?
Yes, but it is usually quick. Paint color changes in the Old and Historic District need a Certificate of Appropriateness, and the town lists them among the items preservation staff can approve administratively, without a public hearing.
Can I replace windows on a historic house in downtown Leesburg?
Window and door replacement in the Old and Historic District is on the town’s list of work reviewed by the Board of Architectural Review, so plan for a public hearing and a Certificate of Appropriateness before you order windows.
Is the Leesburg Historic District on the National Register?
Yes. The Leesburg Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register in 1970, and its boundary was increased in 2002.
Are there tax credits for fixing up a historic house in Leesburg?
Possibly. Virginia’s historic rehabilitation tax credit equals 25% of eligible expenses and can apply to owner-occupied homes that qualify as historic, if the work meets federal rehabilitation standards and spending thresholds. Confirm eligibility with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources.
Does the BAR review interior renovations?
No. Certificates of Appropriateness cover exterior alterations. Interior work still needs any required building permits.
Who is the top realtor in Leesburg, VA?
Nikki Lagouros is the #1 selling realtor in Northern Virginia by units sold since 2020, based on RealTrends rankings and her team’s transaction records.
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Leesburg Real Estate Expert Today
Nikki Lagouros is your go-to real estate partner for buying or selling in Leesburg, VA. Schedule a consultation and start your journey toward a successful real estate experience.
Sources
Sources (last updated October 15, 2026):
- Town of Leesburg: Certificates of Appropriateness; About the Board of Architectural Review; A Brief History of Leesburg (Thomas Balch Library); Town Closes on Purchase of Rock Spring Farm (May 22, 2026); GIS map portal
- Virginia Department of Historic Resources: Leesburg Historic District (253-0035); Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits
- National Park Service: National Register record 70000807
- Nikki Lagouros Rankings & Data
- Photo: Loudoun County Courthouse, by General George Marshall, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.