Homeowner Resources
Druid Hills Civic Association is here to answer questions and provide the resources homeowners seek about living in this thriving historic neighborhood.
our Druid Hills districts.
Use this interactive map to see the 8 districts that make up Historic Druid Hills. Simply click on the map and you will be taken to an interactive Google map. Here, you can search for property addresses to see their respective districts.
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Each district has a different representative on the DHCA board. Click the button below to see who your district rep is, along with their contact information.
historic preservation.
The DeKalb County Historic District and the City of Atlanta Landmark District respectively protect the parts of Druid Hills that lie within DeKalb County and those that lie within the City of Atlanta.
Homeowners in Druid Hills who wish to make external changes to their properties must apply for and receive a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) before proceeding with their plans. Depending on where the homeowner lives, the DeKalb County Historic District guidelines or the City of Atlanta Landmark District zoning laws will be used in evaluating his or her application. This process protects Druid Hills and its property owners by preventing construction and alterations that may not be in keeping with the historic architecture and streetscape of Druid Hills.
DHCA is an advocate group, not an authority. We are here to guide you!
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We have two committees committed to advising residents as they approach renovation and new construction projects in Druid Hills. Our preservation committees are very familiar with the ins and outs of their respective district regulations & guidelines and are here to offer advice. We do not issue Certificates of Appropriateness; this is done through the zoning departments that oversee our two districts. Visit our Historic Preservation page to learn more and reach out if you have questions.
neighborhood trees.
tree protection & planting guidance
One of the most iconic things about Atlanta, and Druid Hills in particular, is its incredible tree canopy. Olmsted designed our neighborhood with its beautiful landscape foremost in mind. Read more about his work here! As a landscape architect, mature trees and native plantings were important to him, and in turn, to us.
Here is our guide to conserving our wonderful trees and a comprehensive list of plantings that Olmsted liked to use, as well as other native plants that will thrive in our community.
tree removal in Druid Hills
Although preserving our trees is extremely important to us, we also know that it is sometimes necessary to remove them. Residents who wish to remove trees in Druid Hills have to follow different ordinances according to whether their property falls within unincorporated DeKalb or City of Atlanta. UNINCORPORATED DEKALB Homeowners must get a permit if they want to take down more than 5 small trees, or ANY tree that is greater than 8 inches in diameter when measured at 4.5 ft off the ground. If a permit is necessary, they must apply for one with the county arborist. See the links below for guidance from DeKalb County's arborist. CITY OF ATLANTA In the Landmark District of Druid Hills, a COA is needed to remove any tree with a diameter breast height of 6 inches or greater. In other parts of Atlanta a resident can pay financial compensation to remove a larger tree but in the Landmark District any tree removed has to be replaced by an acceptable species with a caliper of 1.5 or greater.
neighborhood safety
DHCA's Neighborhood Public Safety Committee addresses crime plus pedestrian and transportation safety within Druid Hills.
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From compiling monthly crime reports and studying trends to advocating for appropriate infrastructure changes with elected officials, our Public Safety Committee is on it.
wildlife habitat certifcation.
certify YOUR yard!
In 2016, a group of neighbors worked together to have Druid Hills certified by the National Wildlife Federation as a certified wildlife habitat. To achieve this designation, 125 homes and all 7 pocket parks in Druid Hills were certified in that initial year. In addition, several nature-supporting projects were completed and documented. It is done by completing an on-line checklist documenting how your yard/garden/porch provides wildlife food, water, shelter, and places to raise young. With our woods and streams, many of us fulfill these requirements naturally. There is a $20 application fee, and benefits include a 1-year NWF membership and newsletter subscription plus discounts on garden merchandise. Use the button below for more info or contact Pam Woodley at pamwoodley@comcast.net, 404-884-5283. For Druid Hills to maintain this status, we need to have a certain number of new properties self-certified as having the 4 elements needed to support wildlife: FOOD, such as acorns and insects, WATER, such as a stream or birdbath, SHELTER, such as brush, and PLACES TO RAISE YOUNG, such as old growth trees. We also need to document a certain number of supportive neighborhood projects, which is always easy in Druid Hills because we are such a nature-focused community! Our park workdays, native plant sale, Trees Atlanta partnership, newsletter articles on pollinator gardens, and other events just have to be documented each year and we are re-upped for another year. We are grateful to live in a neighborhood that treasures its natural beauty so much.