Is My Property Eligible for Historic Designation?

If you can answer any or all of these questions, your property may be eligible for local landmark status!

Does your property have historical importance? It does, if...

• The property has character, interest or value, as part of the
  development, heritage or the cultural artistic, social, ethnic,
  economic, political, technological or institutional heritage of
  Longmont, Boulder County, Weld County, the State of Colorado or the
  United States.
• The property was the site of an historic event, which had an effect upon society.
• Your property was identified with a person or group of persons who contributed to the development, or the cultural artistic, social, ethnic, economic, political, technological or institutional heritage of Longmont, Boulder County, Weld County, the State of Colorado or the United States.

Does your property have architectural importance? It does, if...

• The property portrays an era of history characterized by a distinctive architectural style.
• The property embodies those distinguishing characteristics of an architectural type or specimen.
• It is the work of an architect or master builder whose individual work has influenced the development of Longmont, Boulder County, Weld County, the State of Colorado or the United States.
• It contains elements of architectural design, detail, materials or craftsmanship, which represents a significant innovation.

Does your property have geographic importance? It does, if...

• The property is unique in location or singular physical characteristics, representing an established and familiar visual feature of a neighborhood, community or the city.

If your answer to any or all of these questions is yes, your property may be eligible for local designation of a Landmark. Your next steps...

• Contact Planning: (303)651-8330
• Complete the Application for Historic Designation

Even if your property is not eligible for local designation, you can possibly enjoy the benefits of local designation in other ways.

While your property may not be eligible for local designation, it may contribute to the historical character of your area. If a cluster of your neighbors have homes that are either landmarked or contributing to the character of your area, your neighborhood may be eligible for designation as a local historic district. The advantages associated with a local historic district include tax incentives and fee waivers for home improvement projects. Disadvantages are that you and your neighbors will have to undergo a special review by the Historic Preservation Liaison and/or Commission depending on the type and extent of your exterior renovation prior to receiving permits for the work.

In either case, due diligence during the review process holds the review time to a minimum. Issues discovered during review are usually worked out prior to the Historic Preservation Commission meeting, which is held the first Thursday of each month in the Council Chambers, 350 Kimbark St.

If declaring a historic district is not possible, your property may be eligible for a Certificate of Merit. These certificates are awarded to property owners whose properties are contributing to the character of a district but are not eligible for local designation.

What is a Certificate of Merit?

A Certificate of Merit is available for properties that don't qualify for local designation but are important in some other way. Certificates of Merit are meant to promote recognized properties of historic architectural or aesthetic merit in order to encourage protection, restoration, preservation, enhancement and adaptive reuse of such properties.

A Certificate of Merit does not impose the same regulatory issues associates with a Landmark designation. Therefore the financial incentives available to designated structures and districts are not available to properties that are awarded a Certificate of Merit.