The history of Chicago's Englewood neighborhood tells a story of a well-desired middle class suburb with a vibrant shopping district that came only second to the wonders of Michigan Avenue. Today, Englewood's overwhelming media coverage of violence covers up the story of a proud community rich in history. Neighborhoods such as this, often outside the protection of local landmark designation, are experiencing a continued loss of character and architectural integrity due to a lack of proper planning tools. The inherent value of the Englewood neighborhood and its local residents played a critical role in the decision to look beyond the conventional approaches to preservation and seek an effective tool for community conservation and revitalization. Using Englewood as a case study, this thesis explores the possibilities of implementing Neighborhood Conservation Districts (NCDs) in Chicago by taking a comprehensive look at their history, structure, and effectiveness in various cities across the nation. NCDs, originally started as a grassroots land-use tool, incorporate elements of preservation and planning to conserve distinctive neighborhood character threatened by such things as disinvestment, vacant lots, and incompatible new development. Like local landmark districts, NCDs present a useful tool for neighborhoods with distinct historic character but employ less restrictive regulatory measures and address more general neighborhood conservation concerns. They also allow each district, within the boundaries of the same city legislature, to create individualized regulations and design guidelines dependent on the specific needs of the neighborhood. An analysis of select districts included in this thesis explores the various NCD models used across the U.S. in an effort to identify the most effective approach to utilizing this tool in Chicago neighborhoods such as Englewood. Recommendations for structuring the basic components of the NCD-enabling ordinance include components such as designation process, administrative review body, actions subject to review, and enforcement. This thesis concludes that NCDs are able to not only provide a more flexible approach to local landmark districts, but also allow neighborhoods to customize and control their own guidelines through the recommended use of an administrative neighborhood commission for each designated district. Through the use of this administrative process in combination with support from the Commission on Chicago Landmarks, NCDs have the opportunity to provide a more intimate experience for neighborhood residents, thus spurring community pride and neighborhood revitalization.