Historic Preservation

Historic and Cultural Landmarks Commission hearing rescheduled to September 29

 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 19, 2022 January 9, 2023
January 17, 2023 February 13, 2023
February 20, 2023 March 13, 2023
March 20, 2023 April 10, 2023
April 17, 2023 May 8, 2023
May 15, 2023 June 12, 2023
June 20, 2023 July 10, 2023
July 17, 2023 August 14, 2023
August 21, 2023 September 11, 2023
September 18, 2023 October 9, 2023
October 16, 2023 November 13, 2023
November 20, 2023 December 11, 2023