Let's talk about historic districts

Listing a historic district - often a neighorhood - on the National Register of Historic Places encourages preservation, and it does not restrict the rights of private owners in their use, development, or sale. Yes, buildings in National Register districts can be altered and even torn down. (But please don't.)

The state of Wisconsin offers state income tax credits towards the preservation of homes in these districts, and for properties that are individually listed on the National Register. These credits are incentives for painting (it doesn't matter what color!), roofing, foundation work, basically the things that keep your house in good working order. 

Here's a link to see the maps of Madison's National Register districts - are you in one of Madison's 15 national districts? https://www.cityofmadison.com/dpced/planning/national-register-of-historic-places/1602/

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Local historic districts have more regulations, and are overseen by the city's Landmarks Ordinance, the  Preservation Planner, and the Landmarks Commission. Madison has 5 local historic districts and 182 (!) individually listed buildings. See them  and read about them here: https://www.cityofmadison.com/dpced/planning/landmarks/1604/) and view the maps.

The Landmarks Ordinance endeavors to prevent inappropriate changes to historic structures by requiring owners to obtain a certificate of appropriateness in advance of having work done.

Some Madison historic districts are both national and local, such as University Heights and Mansion Hill.

The boundaries are not always the same. 

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Need more? The Madison Trust for Historic Preservation is a great resource for all things historic architecture, including names of recommended contractors: 

https://www.madisonpreservation.org/landmark-historic-districts