The town of Herndon was settled in 1858. It was named for Commander William Lewis Herndon, American naval explorer and author of Exploration of the Valley of the Amazon. Commander Herndon captained the ill-fated steamer SS Central America, going down with his ship while helping to save over 150 of its passengers and crew. It was incorporated as a town in 1879. It is located within Fairfax County in northern Virginia.

The Heritage Preservation Review Board is composed of seven members appointed by the town council. Members are appointed to serve a three-year term. At least one member shall be an architectural historian or historic architect, and one member must have a demonstrated knowledge in historic preservation. In addition, one member must be a state licensed attorney. All exterior changes to properties within the Heritage Preservation Districts require a certificate of appropriateness. Certificates of appropriateness are issued by the Heritage Preservation Review Board (HPRB). The following applications for certificates of appropriateness require review by the HPRB through a public hearing process: additions, new construction, alterations, demolitions, amendments to previously approved applications, free-standing sign, wall or window sign, and master sign plan. The following applications for certificates of appropriateness require administrative review by the town's planning staff: signs under a master sign plan, temporary signs, and administrative approvals (applicable when applying for a pre-approved change).