Historic places change over time. Landmark Alteration Certificate review ensures that Boulder’s landmarks and historic districts change in ways that maintain their unique historic character.

When Is Review Required?

A Landmark Alteration Certificate (LAC) is required for all exterior changes to a property designated as an individual landmark or located within a historic district. To find out if a property is landmarked or in a historic district, refer to the Map of Historic Districts and Landmarks.

The most common LAC types are re-roofing, repainting, mechanical equipment, fences, additions and solar panels. An LAC is not required for landscaping but is required for paving and hardscaping and the removal of mature trees. An LAC is also not required for items like patio furniture and temporary installations (less than 30 days).

A common misconception is that the review requirement is based on the age of a building. However, an LAC is required for all properties within a historic district, including newer buildings.

What Are the Application Requirements?

  • Cut Sheets and Details - Provide details on the color, material and finish, e.g. painting, roofing, siding materials, window, door and/or solar panel specifications showing type of panels, mount type, etc.
  • Exterior Photographs - Provide clear, color photographs of each side of the building, captioned with a description (e.g. East Elevation, [date]). Ensure to capture as much of each side of the building as possible.
  • Vicinity Map - A site map showing the building footprints and location of proposed work on the property. Indicate all adjacent street names. This may be an aerial image from online mapping, sketch, or official survey, if existing.

Additional materials are required based on the scope of work. Expand the sections below. Providing complete and accurate materials will help streamline the review process.

In addition to the cut sheets and details, exterior photographs and vicinity map described above, the following materials are required:

  • 3D Renderings - View of proposed solar panels from the public rights-of-way, including the alley, if applicable.
  • Solar Panel Plan - Roof plan showing proposed location of panels and distance from edge of roof.

In addition to the cut sheets and details, exterior photographs and vicinity map described above, the following materials are required:

  • Elevations - Measured drawings showing proposed design and location. For fences, detail the height, spacing between pickets, material and finish.
  • Site Plan - Side-by-side measured drawings of the property showing existing and proposed location of buildings, fences and mature trees.

In addition to the cut sheets and details, exterior photographs and vicinity map described above, the following materials are required:

  • Elevations - Measured drawings showing the location of the windows and/or doors proposed for replacement or alteration.
  • Window/Door Replacement Worksheet - Documentation of the condition and classification of each window and/or door proposed for replacement or alteration.

In addition to the cut sheets and details, exterior photographs and vicinity map described above, the following materials are required:

  • 3D Renderings - View of proposed work from the public rights-of-way, including the alley, if applicable.
  • Elevations - Measured drawings showing existing and proposed elevation (side by side) of each side of the building where work is proposed.
  • Initial Code Review Worksheet - Documentation of existing and proposed setbacks, building coverage and Floor Area Ratio.
  • Site Plan - Side-by-side measured drawings of the property showing existing and proposed location of buildings, fences and mature trees.
  • Written Statement - A written statement that describes the proposal and indicates how the application meets all applicable review criteria, including the Standards for Issuance of a Landmark Alteration Certificate in the Boulder Revised Code, the General Design Guidelines for Landmarks and Historic Districts, and any district-specific design guidelines.

Reference this Example Plan Set (coming soon) for LAC Applications for guidance on the layout and presentation of the proposed scope of work. Following this example helps streamline the review by presenting the information in a clear and standardized format.

In addition to the cut sheets and details, exterior photographs and vicinity map described above, the following materials are required:

  • Relocation Plan - Written narrative of relocation plan from a moving company.
  • Site Plan - Side-by-side measured drawings of the property showing existing and proposed location of building(s) proposed for relocation. Note any mature trees.

NOTE: In many cases, demolition of a building in a historic district requires concurrent review of the proposed new construction (see requirements above for new, free-standing construction). Meeting with staff is recommended prior to submitting an application.

  • Site Plan - Measured drawing of the property showing existing location of building(s) proposed for demolition. Note any mature trees.

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.

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?

Completeness Check

Within 5-7 days of application submittal, staff will check that all required materials for your application are complete. If additional materials are required, case contacts will receive an automated email from a “No Reply” address. Make sure to check your spam or junk folder. This email may include a list of materials needed to complete your application, which you will upload through the CSS Portal under the Attachments tab.

Initial Review

Once your application is complete, the case will be routed for review by staff or the Landmarks Design Review Committee (LDRC). Initial review will occur within three weeks of a complete application. Case contacts will receive an email to schedule review by the LDRC, if required. The outcome of the initial review is either approval of the project as proposed, request for revisions, or referral to the Landmarks Board for review.

Please visit the LDRC webpage for an overview of what to expect at an LDRC meeting.

Landmarks Board Review

The Landmarks Board reviews applications for demolition of an existing building, construction of a new free-standing building over 340 sq. ft., and applications referred by staff or the LDRC. The Landmarks Board can either approve, approve with modifications, or deny and application.

Please visit the Landmarks Board webpage for an overview of what to expect at a Landmarks Board hearing.

City Council Review

Landmarks Board decisions on LAC applications are subject to call-up by the City Council. Following the Landmarks Board meeting, the item will be added to the City Council’s Consent Agenda within 16 days for approved applications and within 30 days for applications denied by the Landmarks Board. Staff will be in contact with the applicants to provide the date and information to attend the meeting.

Building Permit Review

For applications approved by staff, the LDRC or Landmarks Board, submit the LAC with your roofing, mechanical, sign or building permit within one year of issuance. If the building permit is not finalized within a year, a new LAC application is required.

What Are The Review Criteria?

The review criteria for a Landmark Alteration Certificate (LAC) are found in Section 9-11-18(b) of the Boulder Revised Code:

  1. The proposed work preserves, enhances, or restores, and does not damage or destroy the exterior architectural features of, the landmark or the subject property within a historic district.
  2. The proposed work does not adversely affect the special character or special historic, architectural, or aesthetic interest or value of the landmark and its site, or the district.
  3. The architectural style, arrangement, texture, color, arrangement of color, and materials used for existing and proposed structures are compatible with the character of the existing landmark and its site or the historic district.
  4. For proposals to demolish a building in a historic district, the proposed new construction to replace the building must meet the requirements of the Historic Preservation Ordinance.

The Landmarks Board has adopted design guidelines to help interpret the code criteria and guide decisions on LAC applications:

Frequently Asked Questions

There is no fee for the Landmark Alteration Certificate (LAC) application or review.

  • For applications approved at the staff or LDRC level in one round of review, the process takes between 2 to 4 weeks. Expect an additional 2 to 3 weeks for each subsequent round of review.
  • For applications reviewed by the Landmarks Board, the process takes between 6 weeks and 3 months.

LAC approvals are valid for one year and cannot be extended. If a permit is not finalized within a year of issuance of an LAC, a new application is required.

Sources to Find Year Built for Buildings located in the city of Boulder.

Boulder County Map

  1. Navigate to the Boulder County Assessor's Office Property Search
  2. Search by property address
  3. Click " Assessment -- Assessed Value, Change in Value, & Building Attributes"
  4. Scroll to "Building Attributes"
  5. The date of construction is listed under "Year Built"

For accessory buildings not listed in Boulder County Map

  1. Navigate to the Carnegie Library for Local History
  2. Search by property address
  3. Open the Historic Building Inventory Form or the Tax Assessor Card.
  4. If there is no clear documentation that the building is less than 50 years, contact staff through Inquire Boulder.

  1. To find out if a property is landmarked or in a historic district, refer to the Map of Historic Districts and Landmarks.

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