The Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation (CHAP) was established in 1964, and is governed by Article Six of the Baltimore City Code.  Today CHAP oversees 36 local historic districts, over 200 landmarks, and manages a local historic preservation tax credit program.  CHAP helps preserve and revitalize neighborhoods, celebrates City history, and promotes historic preservation as a proven economic driver for Baltimore City.  The mayoral appointed Commission and its staff are located within the Department of Planning. 

CHAP's Responsibilities:

• Designate Baltimore City’s historic districts and landmarks.
• Review plans affecting locally designated properties.
• Provide technical assistance and historical information to the public.
• Administer the Baltimore City Historic Restoration & Rehabilitation Tax Credit.
• Conserve and maintain City-owned outdoor sculpture and monuments.
• Conduct historic resource surveys.
• Comply with Federal law to provide preservation recommendations for federal and state funded projects.
• Integrate historic preservation recommendations into City and neighborhood plans.

Mission

The CHAP Mission is to enhance and promote the culture and economy of Baltimore through the preservation of buildings, structures, sites and neighborhoods, that have aesthetic, historic and architectural value.

Goals

CHAP goals include preserving historic architecture and monuments; reclaiming broken neighborhoods; preventing demolition by neglect; and integrating our City's past into its future.

Programs

• Designation of local districts and landmarks
• Permit and plans review
• Historic Rehabilitation & Restoration Tax Credit
• Inventory of Historic Places
• Monument Restoration
• Technical assistance in historical research
• Historic Preservation Planning