Architectural and Design Review of Proposed Projects

• Application Materials
• Process
• Exterior Alteration of an Existing Structure
• Construction of a New Structure
• Relocation of an Existing Structure
• Demolition of an Existing Structure

Application Materials

• Links to application materials may be found on the Applications, Forms, & Fees page.

Process

1. The project applicant files an Administrative Design Review (ADR) application and required supporting materials at PRMD for the following types of projects:
• repair, alter, or add to the exterior of an existing structure
• construct a new structure
• demolish an existing structure
  
  
2. The Landmarks Commission reviews the design of the proposed project at a meeting and makes either a decision or a recommendation about the design of the proposed project.
   
   Historic Landmark or Historic District
• Demolition Permit Only. The Commission makes a decision to approve, approve with conditions, or deny the proposed demolition.
• Building Permit With Demolition Permit/Building Permit Only. The Commission makes a decision to approve, approve with conditions, or deny the proposed demolition and/or to approve, approve with conditions, or deny the design of the proposed project.
• Building Permit And/Or Demolition Permit and Planning Approval. The Commission makes a recommendation to the Design Review Committee or the Planning Commission to approve, approve with conditions, or deny the design of the proposed project.

Other Historic Resource - Not Historic Landmark or in Historic District

• The Landmarks Commission does not review projects which do not involve a planning approval. For projects which involve a planning approval, the Commission makes a recommendation to the Design Review Committee or the Planning Commission to approve, approve with conditions, or deny the design of the proposed project.

Exterior Alteration of an Existing Structure

The Landmarks Commission reviews and comments on the design of proposed exterior alterations (e.g., rehabilitation, repair, new windows or doors, or an addition) to the following types of historic structures.

• a structure designated as an Historic Landmark
• a structure on a property in an Historic District
• a potentially significant historic structure on the subject property of a planning approval application

The Landmarks Commission must approve the design of the proposed alterations before PRMD can issue the building permit.

Standards and Criteria

The Standards and Criteria for Architectural and Design Review of Exterior Alterations to Historic Structures provide guidelines to property owners who may be considering the exterior alteration of such structures, and to guide the Landmarks Commission when reviewing these projects. If the subject property is within an Historic District, the Commission also uses the design guidelines for that District.

• Standards and Criteria for Architectural and Design Review
• Historic District Design Guidelines

Construction of a New Structure

The Landmarks Commission reviews and comments on the design of new structures proposed on the following types of properties:

• a property designated as an Historic Landmark or containing a structure designated as an Historic Landmark
• a property in an Historic District
• the subject property of a planning approval application that contains a potentially significant historic structure

The Landmarks Commission must approve the design of the proposed structure before PRMD can issue the building permit.

Standards and Criteria

• Standards and Criteria for Architectural and Design Review
  
• Historic District Design Guidelines

Relocation of an Existing Structure

The Landmarks Commission has the authority to review and comment on the proposed relocation of the following types of historic structures. The Landmarks Commission must approve the proposed relocation prior to the issuing of any building permits.

• a structure designated as an Historic Landmark
• a structure on a property in an Historic District
• potential historic structures on the subject property of a planning approval application
• as requested by the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, or Planning Staff

Guidelines

The Guidelines for Relocation of Historic Structures provide direction for property owners who may be considering relocating an historic structure, and guide the Landmarks Commission when reviewing these projects.

Demolition of an Existing Structure

The Landmarks Commission has the authority to review and comment on the proposed demolition of the following types of historic structures. For historic structures in the first two categories, the Landmarks Commission has the authority to approve, approve with conditions, or deny the proposed demolition or delay the decision for up to 180 days; and must approve the proposed demolition prior to the issuing of the demolition permit.

• a structure designated as an Historic Landmark
• a structure on a property in an Historic District
• potential historic structures on the subject property of a planning approval application

Guidelines

The Guidelines for Demolition of Historic Structures provide direction for property owners who may be considering demolishing an historic structure, and guide the Landmarks Commission when reviewing these projects.

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