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 five-member Architectural Review Board is appointed by the town council. The purpose of this board is to regulate the exterior appearance of all buildings, structures and signs. According to the by-laws, at least one member must be an architect registered in Virginia and at least one member must be a member of the Virginia State Bar. All members must reside within the town, except the architect who is not required to be a town resident. Board members are appointed to serve a three-year term. If the architect member does not reside within the Town, that appointment is for one year. Applications for improvements resulting in exterior alterations, exterior additions, or new construction are reviewed if the property falls within a designated architectural control district. In addition, if a property owner chooses to amend an approved application, formal review is also required. There are three types of sign permits requiring review: free-standing signs; wall or window signs; and a master sign plan for a unified commercial project.