Landmark Designation
Landmark structures are recognized for their architectural significance, identification with a historically significant person(s), economic or social heritage, significant architect or master builder, value to the community, or a combination of these things. Landmark historic districts are areas with a significant concentration of structures unified by their architectural style or related historic events. Properties and historic districts must meet at least three of the ten categories listed in the Criteria for Eligibility (below) to qualify for designation.
Landmark structures and historic districts are protected by city ordinances by their preservation criteria which is specific to the district or site. A Certificate of Appropriateness must be obtained before any work can begin on any property that is initiated or designated as a Landmark structure or any property located within Landmark historic districts.
Procedures
Criteria for Eligibility
- History, heritage and culture: Represents the historical development, ethnic heritage or cultural characteristics of the city, state, or county.
- Historic event: Location of or association with the site of a significant historic event.
- Significant persons: Identification with a person or persons who significantly contributed to the culture and development of the city, state, or county.
- Architecture: Embodiment of distinguishing characteristics of an architectural style, landscape design, method of construction, exceptional craftsmanship, architectural innovation, or contains details which represent folk or ethnic art.
- Architect or master builder: Represents the work of an architect, designer or master builder whose individual work has influenced the development of the city, state or county.
- Historic context: Relationship to other distinctive buildings, sites, or areas which are eligible for preservation based on historic, cultural, or architectural characteristics.
- Unique visual feature: Unique location of singular physical characteristics representing an established and familiar visual feature of a neighborhood, community or the city that is a source of pride or cultural significance.
- Archeological: Archeological or paleontological value in that it has produced or can be expected to produce data affecting theories of historic or prehistoric interest.
- National and state recognition: Eligible of or designated as a National Historic Landmark, Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, State Archeological Landmark, American Civil Engineering Landmark, or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.
- Historic education: Represents as era of architectural, social, or economic history that allows an understanding of how the place or area was used by past generations.