Small Town Character Overlay District and Historic Properties

Interact with Our Past, Present, and Future


The Town of Apex provides a map outlining the Small Town Character Overlay District (PDF), including the Central Business District and individual properties.

A map showing the National Register Historic District Boundaries (PDF) for Apex, as well as the individually listed properties, is available online for viewing.

A map displaying the State Inventory of Historic Structures (PDF) for Apex, New Hill, and nearby communities is also available for online viewing.

Some historic sites located outside of the National Register Historic District have been designated as Historic Landmarks. Please take a tour of the landmarks by viewing the Town's Wake County Landmark Properties interactive map.

Enjoy these virtual stories and walking tours that immerse you in the story of communities that made Apex "The Peak of Good Living".

Small Town Character Overlay District


Background

The ordinance creating the Small Town Character Overlay District passed in 2006 to help maintain the character of the heart of Apex, the Downtown, and surrounding residential neighborhoods. The Town of Apex offers façade grants and a reduction of capacity fees for businesses locating within the Downtown Festival District (PDF). A major streetscape renovation project has restored Apex’s downtown and recaptured its historic flavor, and the old Town Hall was renovated and has become the award-winning Halle Cultural Arts Center. The Downtown and surrounding neighborhoods are listed on the National Register of Historic Places as one of the best examples of an intact turn-of-the-century railroad town in North Carolina. The National Register Historic District has commercial and residential buildings that date to the late 1800s and represent a wide variety of architectural styles.

Purpose

The purpose and intent of the Small Town Character Overlay District is to repeat the spirit of traditional character rather than imitate style. The Overlay surrounds Apex’s Historic District, and the boundaries are delineated on the Small Town Character Overlay District Map (PDF). The Overlay identifies the architectural qualities that define the downtown character and proposes design standards to maintain that character in new and infill projects.

Regulations & Architectural Standards

Properties that fall within the Small Town Character Overlay District are subject to the regulations and architectural standards in the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Section 6.3 (PDF) when development and redevelopment occurs and the setbacks for lots within the Small Town Character Overlay District can be found in UDO Section 5.1(PDF).