Landmark designation honors, preserves and protects places that are significant to Boulder’s history.

When is Review Required?

Historic Preservation review is required when someone submits an application to amend or designate an individual landmark.

While most landmarks are nominated by the property owner, the Landmarks Board, City Council or a recognized historic preservation organization may also submit an application. If this is the case, the Landmarks Board considers the application in an Initiation Hearing to decide whether or not to accept the application. The decision to designate a property as an individual landmark is made by the City Council through adoption of an ordinance.

What are the Review Criteria?

  • The Landmarks Board and City Council’s criteria for reviewing individual landmark applications is to determine “whether the proposed designation conforms with the purposes and standards in sections 9-11-1, "Legislative Intent," and 9-11-2, "City Council May Designate Landmarks and Historic Districts," B.R.C. 1981.” The City Council also considers whether the designation is in balance with the goals and policies of the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan.

  • Additionally, the Landmarks Board adopted the Significance Criteria for Individual Landmarks in 1975 to help evaluate each proposed designation in a consistent and equitable manner. The criteria consider a property’s historic, architectural and environmental significance.

What Are the Application Requirements?

Please note that this information becomes part of the public record.

  • Photographs - Provide clear, color photographs of each side of the building, captioned with a description (e.g. East (side) Elevation). Capture as much of each side of the building as possible.
  • Written Statement - Provide a statement detailing the owner's motivation for nominating their property as an individual landmark and describes the building(s) on the property including (if known) the date of construction, architectural style, architect, and past residents.

Signed Owner Consent Form - Form signed by owner providing consent to submit the nomination.

Landmarks Board Resolution - Resolution recognizing a historic preservation organization.

  • Vicinity Map - A vicinity map showing the building footprints. Indicate all adjacent street names.
  • Historic Photographs - Photographs of the building, property or past residents.
  • Historic Plans - Original blueprints or architectural plans and sketches.

How Do I Apply?

Prepare

Review “What Are the Application Requirements?” to learn what materials you will need to provide.

Apply

Log in and apply through the Customer Self-Service Portal. Upload the required materials and submit the application. As soon as your application is submitted, you’ll receive a confirmation email with a link to access your plan.

Completeness Check

Staff will review the materials and contact you to collect any missing or incomplete information.

Pay Application Fee

Staff will invoice the $25 application fee after all required materials are submitted. Payments can be made through the Customer Self-Service Portal.

Check Application Status

Visit the Customer Self-Service Portal to follow the status of your application.

  • Log in to your account.
  • Open the Dashboard and click on “View My Plans”.
  • Click on the historic preservation application.

What is the Review Process?

Staff Analysis

Once a complete application is received and the application fee is paid, staff will schedule review by the Landmarks Board. Prior to the hearing, staff will research the property and prepare a memo assessing the property’s historic, architectural and environmental significance.

Landmarks Board Initiation Hearing

Applications submitted by someone other than the property owner must be reviewed by the Landmarks Board in an Initiation Hearing within 45 days of a complete application. The board can either accept the application by adopting a resolution, or deny the application.

Landmarks Board Designation Hearing

Between 60 and 120 days after a complete application is received or after the Landmarks Board’s adoption of a resolution, the Landmarks Board reviews the application in a public hearing. The Landmarks Board considers the review criteria and makes a recommendation to City Council. If the Landmarks Board votes to deny an application, the decision is final unless called up by the City Council or appealed by the owner(s).

City Council 1st Reading

If the Landmarks Board recommends designation, staff prepares an ordinance and schedules City Council review. First reading is typically on the consent agenda.

City Council 2nd Reading

Within 100 days of the Landmarks Board hearing, City Council holds a designation hearing and votes to either approve, modify and approve, or deny the designation.

Record Ordinance

If City Council votes to designate a property, the City Clerk records the designation ordinance and staff updates the official map of Boulder’s designated landmarks and historic districts.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Exterior Changes Require a Landmark Alteration Certificate
    • Exterior changes to individually landmarked properties and those located within a historic district require a Landmark Alteration Certificate (LAC).
  • General Upkeep of Your Historic Property
    • The Landmarks Board cannot require the owner of a designated landmark or a property in a historic district to make improvements to the building or its site. However, the Historic Preservation Ordinance does allow the board to require maintenance so that the landmark or district is not neglected. Keeping your home well-maintained will ensure its preservation for years to come and contribute to the special character of Boulder’s historic neighborhoods.

  • Yes. The fee for individual landmark designation is $25.
  • The fees are set by the Boulder City Council and are included in Section 4-20-37 The review fee is required at time of application and is non-refundable once the application has entered review.

  • For owner-nominated properties, the landmark designation process takes between 3-7 months. The Landmarks Board Designation hearing is held between 60 and 120 days of a complete application, and the City Council hearing is held within 100 days of the Landmarks Board hearing.

  • For applications submitted by someone other than the owner, a Landmarks Board Initiation Hearing must be held within 45 days of the complete application, followed by the timeline above for Landmarks Board and City Council review.

  • The timelines for individual landmark designation can be waived by agreement with the owner, applicant and City.

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