Downtown Guidelines

City offices are now open to the public.

Electronic/digital submission of applications and other materials is encouraged whenever feasible. Consult the Staff Directory or the specific subject page for staff contact information.

Mailed items can be sent to:

CITY OF PORTSMOUTH
PLANNING DEPARTMENT ATTN: (STAFF MEMBER NAME)
801 CRAWFORD STREET
PORTSMOUTH, VA 23704

Credit card payments can now be accepted over the phone. Please call the Planning Department at 757-393-8836 for more information. Please note that a signed credit card authorization form is required to be submitted before a credit card payment can be processed.

Downtown Design (DD) Overlay District

Properties within the Downtown Design (DD) Overlay District are subject to the Downtown Design Guidelines. See map below.

A Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) is required for most improvements that modify the exterior appearance of a site. Review by the Downtown Design Committee (DDC) is required for COA applications that cannot be administratively approved.

Click here to find out more information about the Downtown Design Committee.

Consult the Downtown Design Manual to review the Downtown Guidelines.

Additional development standards can be found in the Zoning Ordinance.

Download and submit a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) Application to have a proposed project reviewed for compliance with the guidelines.

Applicants are encouraged to contact staff via email or phone. Staff Directory

Downtown Design Overlay District Map. Click on map for full size PDF.

Downtown Design Overlay District map
High Street buildings