District and Federal Government projects are subject to review by the DC State Historic Preservation Office if they involve District or Federal “Undertakings.” More information about undertakings and the historic preservation laws that relate to them is available on our Detailed Background page, but if you already know your project involves a District or Federal undertaking and are ready to start the review process, please initiate consultation by submitting the information outlined in the steps below.

Note: if your project involves a cellular antenna installation, follow this guidance.

How to Initiate Review of a District or Federal Government Project

The information required for review of District and Federal projects is generally the same and may be submitted in any format provided it addresses the twelve points listed below.

Note: Please do not submit a Determination of Eligibility Form to initiate the review process unless specifically requested by the Historic Preservation Office. More information on the Determination of Eligibility Form and when to submit them is available here.

Please email the following information to [email protected]:

1. Project Description: Provide a detailed, narrative description of the project and proposed scope of work.
2. Supporting Documents: Provide plans, photographs, renderings, and related information to expain the project.
3. Type of Governmental Involvement:
   • For District projects, indicate the District-owned property that will be subdivided, demolished, altered, or improved with new construction. Property owners can be identified using the Property Quest website.
   • For Federal projects, identify the agency carrying out the project and the type of funding, permits, licenses, or other assistance or approvals the Federal agency will provide.
4. Contact Information: Provide the primary point of contact name, agency, email address, and phone number. If the primary point of contact is not an employee of the relevant District or Federal agency, provide the equivalent information for the agency point of contact, if known.
5. Project Address/Location Description: Provide the project address(es) or a narrative description of its location(s) (e.g. near the intersection of two streets).
6. Project Map: Provide a map to clearly illustrate the location(s) of the proposed project, including areas where associated work such as construction staging may be carried out.
7. Area of Potential Effect: Provide a draft Area of Potential Effect (APE) (see Detailed Background for an explanation of APE). All Federal undertakings technically require an APE, but District undertakings may not. If unknown, the APE can be prepared later.
8. Historic Property Information: Provide general information about any known historic properties in the project area. The Property Quest website identifies historic landmarks and historic districts.
9. Description of Existing Conditions: Provide any known relevant information about the current features and conditions of subject buildings and/or sites (e.g. original windows still exist, date roof was replaced, the site was recently graded).
10. Description of Ground Disturbance: If the project involves ground disturbance, please indicate the vertical and horizontal limits of disturbance. Refer to Archaeology in the District of Columbia for more information.
11. Summary of Early Coordination: Describe any early coordination that may have been carried out with the public and potential consulting parties such as the Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) or local historic preservation organization.
12. Determination of Effect: Indicate the proposed determination of effect, if it has been made. More information on effects can be found on the Detailed Background page.