A Local Historic District (LHD) is a contiguous area of buildings and structures that represent either a distinct period of significance in the community’s history or the evolution of the community over time. A Local Historic Property (LHP) is a single building or site that represents important historical events, trends, and architectural styles in the community. Through the Certificate of Appropriateness process, the HDC reviews and regulates exterior work that is visible from a public street, place, or way in a Local Historic District or Local Historic Property, as described more fully on the following page. Note that all buildings and structures located within a Local Historic District, including those without individual historic or architectural significance, are regulated by the HDC.

State law sets forth procedures and timelines for the establishment of Local Historic Districts (C.G.S. §7-147b) and Local Historic Properties (C.G.S. §7-147q) which the HDC will help interested residents navigate. Briefly, Local Historic Districts and Local Historic Properties are established through a multi-step process which begins with a HDC Study Committee that evaluates the historical and architectural significance of properties being considered. After following all of the procedures set forth in State law, which include a vote by affected property owners, the RTM enacts an ordinance which ultimately establishes the Local Historic District or Local Historic Property. The ordinances that established Westport’s current Local Historic Districts and Local Historic Properties can be found here.

As of 2022, the following Local Historic Districts have been proudly created, and in some cases extended, by the Town of Westport and its residents:

• Evergreen Avenue Local Historic District (Established 2008)
  [map, list of properties, study report]
  
  
• Gorham Avenue Local Historic District (Established 2006, extended 2007)
  [map, list of properties, study report]
  
  
• Jesup Road Local Historic District (Established 1982)
  [map, list of properties, study report]
  
  
• Kings Highway North Local Historic District (Established 1973, extended 1990 & 2000)
  [map, list of properties, study report]
  
  
• Lincoln Street-Riverside Avenue Local Historic District (Established 2018)
  [map, list of properties, study report]
  
  
• Morningside Drive South Historic District (Established 2007)
  [map, list of properties, study report]
  
  
• Violet Lane Local Historic District (Established 2005)
  [map, list of properties, study report]

As of 2022, Westport also has twenty-two regulated Local Historic Properties:

• Adams’ Academy (15 Morningside Drive North)
  
  
• Allen House (4 Burritt's Landing North) [study report]
  
  
• Alvilde and John Hunt House (42 Compo Road North) [study report]
  
  
• Batterson-Brotherton House (88 Roseville Road) [study report]
  
  
• Bradley-Wheeler House and Barn (25 Avery Place) [study report]
  
  
• Chapman-Northrup House (39 Cross Highway) [study report]
  
  
• Easton Road Tollhouse/Goodsell/Grumman/McCoy House (151 Easton Road)
  
  
• Edward Burr/Capt. Thomas Nash House (18 West Parish Road)
  
  
• Emily McLaury House (99 Myrtle Avenue) [study report]
  
  
• Greens Farms (West Parish) Colonial Church Historic Property (property at the northeast corner of Greens Farms Road/Sherwood Island Connector) [study report]
  
  
• John Osborn House (187 Long Lots Road) [study report]
  
  
• Kemper-Gunn House (35 Elm Street)
  
  
• Lower Greens Farms Colonial Burying Ground (cemetery at the southeast corner of Greens Farms Road/Sherwood Island Connector) 

• Machamux Boulder-West Parish Common (250 Greens Farms Road) 

• Meeker Elwood House and Cross Highway Garage (113 Cross Highway) [study report]
  
  
• Mills-Catalano House (15 Hyatt Lane)
  
  
• Minute Man Monument (intersection of Compo Road South and Compo Beach Road) [study report]
  
  
• Morehouse-Jennings House (5 Maple Lane)
  
  
• Morehouse-Taylor House (81 Clapboard Hill Road)
  
  
• Sturges-Wright House (93 Cross Highway) [study report]
  
  
• Veteran’s Green (open space between Main Street and Myrtle Avenue)
  
  
• Wakeman Farm (134 Cross Highway)
  
  

In addition, the HDC has proposed the establishment of a number of potentially eligible Local Historic Districts and Local Historic Properties in Westport. HDC authority to establish and regulate Local Historic Districts and Local Historic Properties under State and Town of Westport law can be found here.