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MODEL ORDINANCE FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION
State of Indiana
Adapted from: I.C. 36-7-11. Historic Preservation
NAME OF CITY
Historic Preservation Commission
Ordinance or Amended Ordinance
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of __________, Indiana, declares that the
protection, maintenance, restoration, rehabilitation, reconstruction, or development of
historic districts is in the public interest; and,
WHEREAS, it is the intent of this ordinance to provide a means to promote the cultural,
economic, and general welfare of the public through the preservation and protection of
structures and areas of historic and cultural interest within the City of _____________; and,
WHEREAS, it is the intent of this ordinance to implement a comprehensive program of
historic preservation by the appointment of a Historic Preservation Commission and by the
establishment of a historic preservation district or districts in accordance with the provisions
set forth below, now therefore;
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ________________,
INDIANA:
Section 1. Purpose
a. Purpose of historic preservation and protection:
(1) To promote the educational, cultural and general welfare of the citizens of
_______________ and to ensure the harmonious and orderly growth and development of
the municipality:
(2) To maintain established residential neighborhoods in danger of having their
distinctiveness destroyed;
(3) To enhance property values and attract new residents;
(4) To ensure the viability of the traditional Downtown area and to enhance
tourism within the City of ________________;
(5) It is deemed essential by the City of _______________ that qualities relating
to its history and harmonious outward appearance of its structures be preserved.
b. These purposes are advanced through the restoration and preservation of
historic areas and buildings, the construction of compatible new buildings where
appropriate, and the maintenance and ensurance of compatibility in regards to style, form,
proportion, texture, and material between historic buildings and those of contemporary
design.
c. It is the intention of the City of ________________ through this ordinance
to preserve and protect historic or architecturally worthy buildings, structures, sites,
monuments, streetscapes, squares and neighborhoods of the historic districts created in
accordance with this ordinance.
Section 2. Definitions.
The following terms shall have the following meaning unless a contrary meaning is
required by the context or is specifically prescribed. Words in the present tense include the
future tense. The singular number includes the plural, and the plural, the singular. The word
“shall” is always mandatory. The word “person” includes a firm, a partnership, a limited
liability company, or a corporation, as well as an individual. Terms not defined in this
section shall have the meanings customarily assigned to them.
a. Alteration: a material or color change in the external architectural features
of any building, structure, or site within a historic district.
b. City: the City of _____________________, Indiana.
c. Classifications:
(1) Outstanding: the “O” classification means that the property has sufficient
historic or architectural significance such that it is listed, or is eligible for
individual listing, in the National Register of Historic Places (the “National
Register”.) Outstanding resources can be of local, state, or national importance.
(2) Notable: the “N” classification means that the property does not merit the
outstanding rating, but it is still above average in its importance. A notable
structure may be eligible for the National Register.
(3) Contributing: the “C” classification means that the property is at least 40 years
old, but does not meet the criteria for an “O” or “N” classification.
Contributing properties are important to the density or continuity of the area’s
historic fabric. Contributing properties can be listed in the National Register
only as part of a historic district.
(4) Non-Contributing: property classified as “NC” is not included in a historic sites
and structures inventory unless it is located within the boundaries of a historic
district. Such properties may be less than 50 years old, or they may be older
properties that have been altered in such a way that they have lost their historic
character, or they may be otherwise incompatible with their historic
surroundings. These properties are not eligible for listing in the National
Register.
d. Commission: the historic preservation commission established by this
ordinance.
e. Demolition: the complete or substantial removal of any building or
structure located in a historic district.
f. Historic District: a single building, structure, site, monument, streetscape,
or square, or a concentration of buildings, structures, sites, monuments, streetscapes,
squares or neighborhoods, the boundaries of which are described or delineated on a map
approved in an ordinance adopted by the City Council..
g. Interested Party: means one of the following:
(1) the Mayor.
(2) the City Council.
(3) the city plan commission or other agency having land use planning jurisdiction
over a historic district designated by ordinance.
(4) a neighborhood association, whether incorporated or unincorporated, a majority
of whose members are residents of a historic district designated by an ordinance
adopted by the City Council.
(5) an owner or occupant of property located in a historic district established by an
ordinance adopted by the City Council.
(6) Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana, Inc., or any of its successors.
(7) the state historic preservation officer designated under I.C. 14-21-1-19.
h. Preservation Guidelines: locally developed criteria which identify design
concerns to assist property owners in maintaining the character of the historic district or
buildings during the process of rehabilitation or new construction.
i. Primary Area: the principal area of historic and / or architectural
significance within a historic district as delineated on the map establishing the boundaries of
the historic district.
j. Routine Maintenance: work for which no Certificate of Appropriateness is
required.
k. Secondary Area: an area in a historic district delineated on the map
establishing the boundaries of the historic district that is adjacent to a primary area and
which has a visual relationship to the primary area and could affect the preservation of the
primary area. The purpose of designating a secondary area is to assure its compatibility and
harmony with an adjacent, primary area.
l. Streetscape: appearance from a public way, the distinguishing
characteristics of which are created by the width of the street and sidewalks, their paving
materials and color, the design of the street furniture (e. g., street lights, trash receptacles,
benches, etc.) use of plant materials such as trees and shrubs, and the setback, mass, and
proportion of those buildings which enclose the street.
m. Visual Compatibility: those elements of design that meet the guidelines set
out in Section 8 of this ordinance.
Section 2. Historic Preservation Commission Establishment and Organization
a. Establishment.
There is hereby established the Historic Preservation Commission of the City of
________________, Indiana (hereinafter referred to as the “Commission”.
b. Composition; Appointment.
The Commission shall consist of [specific number needed - not less than three (3)
nor more than nine (9)] voting members. The voting members shall be appointed by the
Mayor subject to the approval of the City Council and shall be residents of the City who are
interested in the preservation and development of historic areas. The members of the
Commission should include professionals in architectural history, planning, and other
disciplines related to historic preservation, to the extent that those professionals are available
in the community. Up to specific number needed nonvoting, advisory member(s) may be
appointed to the Commission by the Mayor with approval by the City Council. Commission
members shall serve without compensation, except for reasonable expenses incurred in the
performance of their duties.
c. Term.
Voting members shall each serve for a term of three (3) years; however, the terms of
original voting members shall be for one (1) year, two (2) years, and three (3) years in order
for the terms to be staggered. The term for nonvoting, advisory members shall be for three
(3) years. A vacancy shall be filled within ninety (90) days for the duration of the term.
d. Commission Administrator.
A City administrator designated by the Mayor shall serve as the ex-officio
administrator of the Commission. The administrator shall provide staff assistance to the
Commission, act as the Commission’s secretary, and issue Certificates of Appropriateness as
directed by the Commission.
e. Officers.
The Commission shall elect from its membership a Chairperson and Vice-
Chairperson, and Treasurer who shall serve for one (1) year and who may be reelected. The
Commission Administrator shall serve as the Commission’s secretary.
f. Rules.
The Commission shall adopt rules for the transaction of its business. The rules must
include the time and place of regular meetings and a procedure for the calling of special
meetings.
g. Meetings.
Commission meetings must be open to the public and a public record shall be kept
of the Commission’s resolutions, proceedings, and actions. The Commission shall hold
regular meetings, at least monthly, except when it has no business pending. Special meetings
may be called in a manner determined by the Commission and its rules.
Section 3. Powers and Duties of the Commission
a. The Commission shall be concerned with those elements of development,
redevelopment, rehabilitation, and preservation that affect visual quality in a historic district.
The Commission may not consider details of design, interior arrangements, or building
features, if those details, arrangements, or features are not subject to public view, and may
not make any requirement except for the purpose of preventing development, alteration, or
demolition in the historic district obviously incongruous with the historic district.
b. The Commission shall conduct a survey to identify historic buildings, sites
and structures located within the City. Based on its survey, the Commission shall submit to
the City Council a map describing the boundaries of a historic district or districts. A district
may be limited to the boundaries of a property containing a single building, structure, or site.
The map may divide a district into primary and secondary areas.
c. The Commission shall also classify and designate on the map all buildings,
structures, and sites within each historic district described on the map. Buildings, structures
and sites shall be classified as historic or nonhistoric in the manner set forth in subsections
(d) and (e) below.
d. Buildings, structures and sites classified as historic must possess identified
historic or architectural merit of a degree warranting their preservation. They may be further
classified as Outstanding, Notable, or Contributing (as defined in Section 2 of this
ordinance). In lieu of these further classifications, the Commission may devise its own
system of further classification for historic buildings, structures and sites.
(e). Nonhistoric buildings and structures are those not classified on the map as
historic under subsection (b).
f. The Commission may conduct additional surveys, and draw and submit
additional maps for approval of the City Council, as the Commission considers appropriate.
g. The Commission may adopt preservation guidelines for architectural review.
If adopted, preservation guidelines shall be published and made readily accessible to the
general public.
h. The Commission has the authority to receive funds in order to promote its
stated purposes.
i. The Commission shall promote public interest in historic preservation by
initiating and carrying on a public relations and community education program.
j. The Commission shall have the authority to:
(1) acquire by purchase, gift, grant, bequest, devise, or lease any real or personal
property, including easements, that is appropriate for carrying out the purposes
of the Commission;
(2) hold title to real and personal property; and,
(3) sell, lease, rent, or otherwise dispose of real and personal property at a public or
private sale on the terms and conditions that the Commission considers best.;
(4) establish procedures that the Commission must follow in acquiring and
disposing of property.
k. Each official of the City who has responsibility for building inspection,
building permits, planning, or zoning shall provide any technical, administrative, or clerical
assistance requested by the Commission. The attorney for the City shall serve as the
attorney for the Commission. However, the Commission may employ other legal counsel
authorized to practice law in Indiana if it considers it necessary or desirable.
Section 4. Historic Districts and Guidelines
a. City Council approval of maps of historic districts: before a historic district
is established and the building classifications take effect, the map described in Section 3(b) of
this ordinance, setting forth the district’s boundaries and building classifications, must be
submitted by the Commission to, and approved in an ordinance by, the City Council.
b. In an ordinance approving the establishment of a historic district, the City
Council may provide that the establishment shall occur in two (2) phases. During the first
phase, which continues for a period of three (3) years from the date the ordinance is
adopted, a certificate of appropriateness is required for the following activities: the
demolition of any building; the moving of any building; and any new construction of a
principal building or accessory building or structure subject to view from a public way.
(1) At the expiration of the initial three (3) year period, the first phase of the
designation of the district continues and the second phase does not become
effective if a majority of the property owners in the district object to the
Commission, in writing, to the requirement that Certificates of Appropriateness
be issued for the following activities:
(a) a conspicuous change in the exterior appearance of historic buildings by
additions, construction, alteration, or maintenance involving exterior color
changes;
(b) a change in walls and fences or construction of walls and fences, along
public ways;
(c) a conspicuous change in the exterior appearance of non-historic buildings
subject to view from a public way by additions, reconstruction, alteration, or
maintenance involving exterior color change.
(2) The objections of a majority of the property owners must be received by the
Commission not earlier than one hundred eighty (180) days or later than sixty
(60) days before the third anniversary of the adoption of the ordinance.
c. Exclusion of paint colors: In an ordinance approving the establishment of a
historic district, the City may exclude changes in paint colors from the activities requiring the
issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness, defined in Section 6, before a permit may be
issued or work begun.
d. Recording the fact of designation: the map establishing boundaries of a
historic district may be recorded in the Office of the _________________ County
Recorder.
Section 5. Interim Protection
a. When submitting a map to the City Council to create a historic district under
this ordinance, the Commission may declare one (1) or more buildings or structures that are
classified and designated as historic on the map to be under interim protection.
b. Not more than two (2) working days after declaring a building or structure to
be under interim protection under this section, the Commission shall, by personal delivery or
first class mail, provide the owner or occupant of the building or structure with a written
notice of the declaration. The written notice must:
(1) Cite the authority of the Commission to put the building or structure under
interim protection under this section;
(2) Explain the effect of putting the building or structure under interim protection;
and,
(3) Indicate that the interim protection is temporary.
c. A building or structure put under interim protection under subsection (a)
remains under interim protection until the map is:
(1) Submitted to; and
(2) Approved in an ordinance or rejected by the City Council.
d. While a building or structure is under interim protection:
(1) The building or structure may not be demolished or moved; and,
(2) The exterior appearance of the building or structure may not be conspicuously
changed by:
(a) Addition;
(b) Reconstruction; or
(c) Alteration.
Section 6. Certificates of Appropriateness
a. Certificates of Appropriateness required: a Certificate of Appropriateness
must be issued by or on behalf of the Commission before a permit is issued for, or work is
begun on, any of the following:
(1) Within all areas of a historic district:
(a) The demolition of any building;
(b) The moving of any building;
(c) A conspicuous change in the exterior appearance of historic buildings by
additions, reconstruction, alteration, or maintenance involving exterior
color change; or
(d) Any new construction of a principal building or accessory building or
structure subject to view from a public way.
(2) Within a primary area of a historic district:
(a) A change in walls and fences, or the construction of walls and fences along
public ways;
(b) A conspicuous change in the exterior appearance of non-historic buildings
subject to view from a public way by additions, reconstruction, alteration
and/or maintenance involving exterior color change.
(3) Within the first phase of a two-phase establishment of a historic district:
(a) The moving of any building;
(b) The demolition of any building; or
(c) Any new construction of a principal building or accessory building or
structure subject to view from a public way.
b. Application for Certificates of Appropriateness: Application for a Certificate
of Appropriateness shall be made in the office of the Commission on forms provided by
that office. Detailed drawings, plans, or specifications are not required. However, to the
extent reasonably required for the Commission to make a decision, each application must be
accompanied by sketches, drawings, photographs, descriptions, or other information
showing the proposed exterior alterations, additions, changes, or new construction.
c. Approval or denial of Certificates of Appropriateness: the Commission may
advise and make recommendations to the applicant before acting on an application for a
certificate of appropriateness. If an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness is
approved by the Commission, or is not acted on by the Commission within thirty (30) days
after it is filed, a Certificate of Appropriateness shall be issued. If the certificate is issued, the
application shall be processed in the same manner as applications for building or demolition
permits required by the City, if any are processed. If no building or demolition permits are
required, the applicant may proceed with the work authorized by the certificate. If the
Commission denies an application for a certificate of appropriateness within 30 days after it
is filed, the certificate may not be issued. The Commission must state its reasons for the
denial in writing, and must advise the applicant. An application that has been denied may
not be processed as an application for a building or demolition permit and does not
authorize any work by the applicant. The Commission may grant an extension of the thirtyday
limit if the applicant agrees to it.
d. Criteria for considering effect of actions on historic buildings: the
Commission, in considering the appropriateness of any reconstruction, alteration,
maintenance, or moving of a historic building or any part of or appurtenance to such
building, including walls, fences, light fixtures, steps, paving, and signs shall require that such
work be done in a manner that will preserve the historical and architectural character of the
building, structure, or appurtenance. In considering historic and architectural character, the
Commission shall consider, among other things, the following:
(1) Purposes of this ordinance;
(2) Historical and architectural value and significance of the building, structure, site
or appurtenance;
(3) Compatibility and significance of additions, alterations, details, materials, or
other non-original elements which may be of a different style and construction
date than the original;
(4) The texture, material, color, style, and detailing of the building, structure, site or
appurtenance;
(5) The continued preservation and protection of original or otherwise significant
structure, material, and ornamentation;
(6) The relationship of buildings, structures, appurtenances, or architectural features
similar to one within the same historic district, including for primary areas, visual
compatibility as defined in Section 8(b) of this ordinance; and,
(7) The position of the building or structure in relation to the street, public right-ofway
and to other buildings and structures.
e. Procedure for demolition upon denial of a Certificate of Appropriateness.
The purpose of this subsection is to preserve historic buildings that are important to the
education, culture, traditions and economic values of the City, and to afford the City,
historical organizations, and other interested persons the opportunity to acquire or to
arrange for the preservation of these buildings. If a property owner demonstrates that a
historic building is incapable of earning an economic return on its value, as appraised by a
qualified real estate appraiser, and the Commission fails to approve the issuance of a
Certificate of Appropriateness, the building may be demolished. However, before a
demolition permit is issued or demolition proceeds, the following requirements for notice
must be met:
(1) Notice of the proposed demolition must be given for a period fixed by the
Commission, based on the Commission’s classification on the approved
map, but not less than sixty (60) days nor more than one (1) year.
(2) Notice must be posted on the premises of the building proposed for
demolition in a location clearly visible from the street.
(3) Notice must be published in a newspaper of general local circulation at least
three (3) times before demolition, with the first publication not more than
fifteen (15) days after the application for a permit to demolish is filed, and
the final publication at least fifteen (15) days before the date of the permit.
The Commission may approve a Certificate of Appropriateness at any time during the notice
period under this subsection. If the Certificate of Appropriateness is approved, a demolition
permit shall be issued without further delay, and demolition may proceed.
Section 7. Staff Approvals
a. The staff of the commission is authorized to grant or deny a Certificate of
Appropriateness for the following types of applications:
[Insert list of types of Certificate of Appropriateness applications]
b. The staff may not grant or deny a Certificate of Appropriateness for the
following
(1) The demolition of a building.
(2) The moving of a building.
(3) The construction of an addition to a building.
(4) The construction of a new building.
Section 8. Visual Compatibility
(a) For new construction, contemporary design, and non-historic buildings: to preserve and
encourage the integrity of historic buildings, structures, sites, monuments, streetscapes,
and neighborhoods and to ensure their compatibility with any new work, the
construction of a new building or structure, and the moving, reconstruction, alteration,
major maintenance, or repair involving a color change conspicuously affecting the
external appearance of any non-historic building, structure, or appurtenance within the
primary area of a historic district must be generally of a design, form, proportion, mass,
configuration, building material, texture, color, and location on a lot compatible with
other buildings in the historic district, particularly with buildings designated as historic,
and with squares and places to which it is visually related.
(b) Criteria for considering visual compatibility: within the primary area of a historic
district, new buildings and structures, as well as buildings, structures, and appurtenances
that are moved, reconstructed, materially altered, repaired, or changed in color, must be
visually compatible with buildings, squares and places to which they are visually related
generally in terms of the following visual compatibility factors:
(1) Height: the height of proposed buildings must be visually compatible with
adjacent buildings.
(2) Proportion of building’s front facade: the relationship of the width of a building
to the height of the front elevation must be visually compatible with buildings,
squares, and places to which it is visually related.
(3) Proportion of openings within the facility: the relationship of the width of the
windows to the height of windows in a building must be visually compatible with
buildings, squares, and places to which it is visually related.
(4) Rhythm of solids to voids in front facades: the relationship of solids to voids in
the front facade of a building must be visually compatible with buildings,
squares, and places to which it is visually related.
(5) Rhythm of spacing of buildings on streets: the relationship of a building to the
open space between it and adjoining buildings must be visually compatible with
buildings, squares, and places to which it is visually related.
(6) Rhythm of entrances and porch projections: the relationship of entrances and
porch projections of a building to sidewalks must be visually compatible with
buildings, squares, and places to which it is visually related.
(7) Relationship of materials, texture, and color: the relationship of the materials,
texture, and color of the facade of a building must be visually compatible with
the predominant materials used in the buildings to which it is visually related.
(8) Roof shapes: the roof shape of a building must be visually compatible with the
buildings to which it is visually related.
(9) Walls of continuity: appurtenances of a building such as walls, wrought iron
fences, evergreen landscape masses, and building facades, must form cohesive
walls of enclosure along the street, if necessary to ensure visual compatibility of
the building to the buildings, squares, and places to which it is visually related.
(10) Scale of a building: the size of a building, and the building mass of a building in
relation to open spaces, windows, door openings, porches, and balconies must
be visually compatible with the buildings, squares, and places to which it is
visually related.
(11) Directional expression of front elevation: a building must be visually
compatible with buildings, squares, and places to which it is visually related in its
directional character, including vertical character, horizontal character, or nondirectional
character.
Section 9. Preservation of Historical and Architectural Character Upon Alteration or
Relocation Mandated
a. A historic building or structure or any part of or appurtenance to such a
building or structure, including stone walls, fences, light fixtures, steps, paving, and signs
may be moved, reconstructed, altered, or maintained only in a manner that will preserve the
historical and architectural character of the building, structure, or appurtenance.
b. A historic building may be relocated to another site only if it is shown that
preservation on its current site is inconsistent with subsection (a).
Section 10. Maintenance
a. Historic buildings shall be maintained to meet the applicable requirements
established under state statute for buildings generally so as to prevent the loss of historic
material and the deterioration of important character defining details and features.
b. Ordinary repairs and maintenance: nothing in this section shall be construed
to prevent the ordinary repairs and maintenance of any historic building, provided that such
repairs or maintenance do not result in a conspicuous change in the design, form,
proportion, mass, configuration, building material, texture, color, location, or external visual
appearance of any structure, or part thereof.
Section 11. Relationship with Zoning Districts
Zoning districts lying within the boundaries of the historic district are subject to
regulations for both the zoning district and the historic district. If there is a conflict between
the requirements of the zoning district and the requirements of the historic district, the more
restrictive requirements shall apply.
Section 12. Enforcement by Interested Parties
a. An interested party (as defined in Section 2) has a private right of action to
enforce and prevent violation of this Ordinance or an ordinance adopted by the City under
this Ordinance, and with respect to any building, structure, or site within a historic district,
and has the right to restrain, enjoin, or enforce by restraining order or injunction,
temporarily or permanently, any person from violating this ordinance or an ordinance
adopted under this ordinance.
b. The interested party does not have to allege or prove irreparable harm or
injury to any person or property to obtain relief under this section.
c. The interested party bringing an action under this section does not have to
post a bond unless the court, after a hearing, determines that a bond should be required in
the interest of justice.
d. The interested party who brings an action under this section is not liable to
any person for damages resulting from bringing or prosecuting the action unless the action
was brought without good faith or without a reasonable belief that a provision of this
ordinance, or an ordinance adopted by the City Council pursuant to this ordinance, had
been, or was about to be violated.
e. An interested party who obtains a favorable judgment in an action under this
section may recover reasonable attorney fees and court costs from the person against whom
judgment was rendered.
f. An action arising under this section must be brought in the circuit or
superior court of the county in which the historic district lies and no change of venue from
the county shall be allowed in the action.
g. The remedy provided in this section is in addition to other remedies that may
be available at law or in equity.
Section 15. Enforcement, Penalties, and Judicial Review
a. Any person, whether as principal, agent, owner, lessee, tenant, contractor,
builder, architect, engineer, or otherwise, who violates any provision of this ordinance shall
be subject to a fine as follows, for each offense:
(1) not less than ten dollars ($10.00) nor more than twenty-five hundred dollars
($2,500.00) for demolition; and,
(2) not less than ten dollars ($10.00) nor more than three hundred dollars ($300.00)
for all other offenses.
b. Each day of the existence of any violation of this ordinance shall be a
separate offense.
c. The erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, demolition, color
change, moving, or maintenance of any building, structure, or appurtenance which is begun,
continued, or maintained contrary to any provisions of this ordinance is hereby declared to
be a nuisance and in violation of this ordinance and unlawful. The City may institute a suit
for injunction in the Circuit Court or Superior Court of _________________ County to
restrain any person or government unit from violating any provision of this ordinance and to
cause such violation to be prevented, abated, or removed. Such action may also be instituted
by any property owner who is adversely affected by the violation of any provision of this
chapter.
d. The remedies provided for in this section shall be cumulative and not
exclusive and shall be in addition to any other remedies provided by law.
e. Any person or party aggrieved by a decision of the Commission shall be
entitled to judicial review in accordance with I.C.4-21.5-1.
Section 16. Severability
If any section, clause, provision, or portion of this ordinance is adjudged
unconstitutional or invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this
ordinance shall not be affected thereby.
INDS02 JMC 1076758v2