Historic Preservation

The City maintains an active program to designate historic resources. The Cultural Resources Ordinance (Title 20) recognizes four types of local designation:

• Cultural Heritage Landmark
  A cultural resources of the highest order of importance
• Structure of Merit
  A cultural resource that is important, but a lesser level of significance than a Cultural Heritage Landmark
• Historic District
  A geographically defined area within the City that has a significant concentration of cultural resources that represent themes important in local history.
• Neighborhood Conservation Area (NCA)
  Similar to a historic district, but with resources of somewhat lesser significance and/or with a lesser concentration of resources. No new NCA's will be designated.

Landmark and Structure of Merit designations may be initiated by the City Council, Cultural Heritage Board, or property owner and are designated by resolution of the City Council. Historic District designations may be initiated by petition of property owners as well as the above entities. These are also designated by resolution of the City Council. There is no charge for designation.

Specific information on designated resources can be accessed from the Historic Resources Inventory Database.

• Designation Application Packet