Historic Preservation

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 Historic preservation is a conversation with our past about our future. It provides us with opportunities to ask, "What is important in our history?" and "What parts of our past can we preserve for the future?" Through historic preservation, we look at history in different ways, ask different questions of the past, and learn new things about our history and ourselves. Historic Preservation conserves the historic, architectural, and aesthetic character and heritage of Fort Worth, and helps to provide a sense of place and continuity for future generations. 

 

Local Historic Districts

Local Historic Districts Design guidelines are regulations specific to a historic district, used in conjunction with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties to guide preservation, rehabilitation, conservation, and the revitalization of historic districts. They are created and approved by the property owners of the historic district and then adopted by the City Council for use by the Historic & Cultural Landmarks Commission to review applications for a certificate of appropriateness. Once adopted, amendments may be approved only with the majority vote of the historic district and the City Council. Guidelines typically address new construction and alterations to the materials and design of existing structures. In the absence of approved guidelines for a district, the Secretary of Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties are used.

Certificates of Appropriateness

Before applying for a building permit for alterations, new construction or demolition, you must acquire a Certificate of Appropriateness. Alterations to the exterior of every building within a historic district, individually designated as historic, highly significant and endangered, or demolition delay must be reviewed by the Historic and Cultural Landmark Commission. Such alterations include but are not limited to:

  • Siding
  • Windows
  • Doors
  • Fences
  • Security Bars
  • Driveways or walkways
  • Roofing
  • Accessory Structures
  • Decks
  • Porches or porch columns
  • Additions
  • Foundation work

COAs can be approved administratively by staff or by the Historic and Cultural Landmarks Commission. Staff review all applications and work the case with the applicant directly. 

Application and Review Process

The Historic and Cultural Landmarks Commission (HCLC) meets once a month. To have your case placed on the agenda, you must fill out an application online by the third Monday of the month. Once staff has determined that your application is complete, your case will be placed on the next available HCLC agenda if necessary. Staff will review the design and suggest any necessary modifications.

Prior to the meeting staff will send the following:

  • Courtesy notice of the hearing
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Staff report on the case

If approved staff will send the following:

  • HCLC decision letter
  • Certificate of Appropriateness

Meeting agendas are available on the Historic and Cultural Landmark Commission calendar page. 

Meeting Dates & Application Deadlines

Application Deadline Meeting Date
December 18, 2023 January 8, 2024
January 16, 2024 February 12, 2024
February 19, 2024 March 11, 2024
March 18, 2024 April 8, 2024
April 15, 2024 May 13, 2024
May 20, 2024 June 10, 2024
June 17, 2024 July 8, 2024
July 15, 2024 August 12, 2024
August 19, 2024 September 9, 2024
September 16, 2024 October 14, 2024
October 21, 2024 November 11, 2024
November 18, 2024 December 9, 2024

 

Applications must be verified as complete by staff in order to be eligible for the upcoming commission. 

Past Decisions/Annotated Agenda