Architectural &
Historic Preservation
in Bay City, MI

General Information:

The Bay City Architectural Review Committee/Historic District Commission
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  • The ARC is an official committee of Bay City Government made up of citizen volunteers interested in and knowledgeable about architectural/historic preservation and staffed by the Bay City Planning Office.
  • All property owners whose property is located within an Overlay District must receive approval from the ARC before making changes to the exterior of their buildings.
  • Applying for a hearing at the ARC (owners of property in an Overlay District) (PDF)
  • ARC Application Form (PDF)
  • Any Bay City property owner is welcome to consult the ARC for advice about preserving the historic interest of Bay City property. Just call Jim Bedell at 989-894-8179.

Historic Preservation Overlay Districts in Bay City

  • To determine whether your property is located in a Bay City Historic Preservation Overlay District, look for your property on one of these Overlay District Maps:
  • If your property is located in an Overlay District, you are required by law to receive approval from the Architectural Review Committee before making any modifications to your building, including but not limited to changing windows, roofing or siding; adding, enclosing or removing porches; and other changes to structures or structural details. Please consult the Zoning Ordinance for your neighborhood and the USDOI Standards for Historic Preservation for more specifics.

USDOI Standards for Historic Preservation that apply in Bay City's Overlay Districts

Michigan Public Act 169 Local Historic Districts

Bay City locations on the National Register of Historic Places

Information Resources about Bay City History, Historic Preservation and Architecture