{"data":{"id":"us-dc/d.c.-code-6-1101","jurisdiction":"us-dc","citation":"D.C. Code § 6-1101","heading":"Declaration and purposes.","body":"(a)\nIt is hereby declared as a matter of public policy that the protection, enhancement, and perpetuation of properties of historical, cultural, and esthetic merit are in the interests of the health, prosperity, and welfare of the people of the District of Columbia. Therefore, this subchapter is intended to:\n(1)\nEffect and accomplish the protection, enhancement, and perpetuation of improvements and landscape features of landmarks and districts which represent distinctive elements of the city’s cultural, social, economic, political, and architectural history;\n(2)\nSafeguard the city’s historic, aesthetic and cultural heritage, as embodied and reflected in such landmarks and districts;\n(3)\nFoster civic pride in the accomplishments of the past;\n(4)\nProtect and enhance the city’s attraction to visitors and the support and stimulus to the economy thereby provided; and\n(5)\nPromote the use of landmarks and historic districts for the education, pleasure, and welfare of the people of the District of Columbia.\n\n(b)\nIt is further declared that the purposes of this subchapter are:\n(1)\nWith respect to properties in historic districts:\n(A)\nTo retain and enhance those properties which contribute to the character of the historic district and to encourage their adaptation for current use;\n(B)\nTo assure that alterations of existing structures are compatible with the character of the historic district; and\n(C)\nTo assure that new construction and subdivision of lots in an historic district are compatible with the character of the historic district;\n(2)\nWith respect to historic landmarks:\n(A)\nTo retain and enhance historic landmarks in the District of Columbia and to encourage their adaptation for current use; and\n(B)\nTo encourage the restoration of historic landmarks[; and]\n(3)\nWith respect to archaeological sites designated as historic landmarks or contributing properties within historic districts:\n(A)\nTo protect historic and prehistoric archaeological sites from irreparable loss or destruction; and\n(B)\nTo encourage the retrieval of archaeological information and artifacts when the destruction of an archaeological site is necessary in the public interest.","path":["Title 6. Housing and Building Restrictions and Regulations.","Chapter 11. Historic Landmark and Historic District Protection.","Subchapter I. General Provisions."],"source_url":"https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/6-1101","current_through":"2026-08-20 (D.C. Law 26-175)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-29T05:44:07Z","sha256":"76b05e620fe9795f4b0d894f594a762901081b84f86e7fdefce31bd87165b678","source_id":"us-dc","stale":false,"prev":"us-dc/d.c.-code-6-1073","next":"us-dc/d.c.-code-6-1102"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}