City skyline over Lake Monona.
Planning

Historic Preservation

Madison's Historic Preservation Program

The City of Madison has many historic and cultural resources that tell the diverse story of our city. We continue to integrate these places into our changing city. In Madison there are five local historic districts and 184 local landmarks, regulated by the Madison Landmarks Commission. Additionally, there are many National Register Districts, an honorary designation managed by the Wisconsin Historical Society and the National Park Service. These historic and economic assets contribute to our sense of place.

The Madison Landmarks Commission reviews alterations to local landmarks and properties in local historic districts. They also review applications for new landmarks or districts.

Making Alterations to Historic Properties

The Landmarks Commission must approve changes to properties with local historic designation. This process protects the character of buildings, streets, and neighborhoods as they evolve. Changes requiring approval include:

  • Exterior alterations
  • New construction
  • Demolitions

You must obtain a Certificate of Approval (CoA) for any of the above. Please apply for your CoA before applying for a building permit.

How to Apply for a Certificate of Approval (CoA)

  1. Use our standards and guidelines to plan your project:
    1. Local Landmarks: Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation.
    2. Local Historic Districts: Standards and Illustrated Design Guidelines.
  2. Prepare your materials. Submissions should include at least:
    1. Pictures of existing conditions
    2. Narrative scope of work
    3. List of proposed materials or product specifications/cut sheet
    4. Larger projects: Completed Landmarks Commission Application and materials listed on page 2.
  3. Email materials to landmarkscommission@cityofmadison.com
    1. ​If possible, combine documents into a single PDF or Word document with labels for images.
    2. If you must send individual files, they must be either .doc, .docx, .pdf, .jpg, or .png.
    3. Label attachments with your address and the date.
    4. Individual emails cannot exceed 20 MB. If you split up your materials into more than one email, list the number in the subject. For instance: "Landmarks Application -123 Elm Street - email 1 of 4”, “…2 of 4”, etc.  Label attachments “Site Plan 1 of 3”, “…2 of 3”, etc.

Review Process

Staff review submissions in the order we receive them. Staff may approve smaller projects. The Landmarks Commission must approve larger projects. See the Commission schedule for submittal and meeting dates. If approved, we email applicants the Certificate of Approval (CoA). 

Tutorial for Certificate of Approval

Need help obtaining a Certificate of Approval? Watch the video below.

0:50 What is a Certificate of Approval?
2:24 How to fill out the Landmarks Commission form
6:00 Administrative approval process
7:41 About standards for landmarks
10:00 About standards for historic districts

Designating a Landmark or Local Historic District

Questions on how to nominate a property or district? Email landmarkscommission@cityofmadison.com.

 

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