October 19, 2021 Update:

Given that the Planning office is currently closed to the public and staff are working remotely due to COVID-19, staff have temporarily updated the submittal requirements.

The next virtual Landmarks Commission meeting is scheduled for November 1 at 5:00 pm. The meeting agenda will be available on the Clerk's Office website in the week prior to the meeting: https://www.cityofmadison.com/clerk/meeting-schedule

We are keeping our submission deadlines to provide feedback on submissions ahead of when the next meeting is. Temporarily, staff are currently only accepting digital (PDF) submittals - not paper - for all applications. All landmarks submittal materials shall be sent to landmarkscommission@cityofmadison.com. Otherwise, all submittal requirements, as listed on page 2 of the Landmarks Commission Application form, remain the same.

Please note that an individual email cannot exceed 20 MB. It is the responsibility of the applicant to present files in a manner that can be accepted. If dividing the submittal materials into multiple, smaller components (in order to meet the email size limit), please clearly indicate the total number of email components in the subject line (e.g.: “Landmarks Application for 123 Elm Street - email 1 of 4”, “…2 of 4”, etc.) and label the email attachments accordingly (e.g.: “Site Plan 1 of 3”, “…2 of 3”, etc.).

Please email Heather Bailey (she/her) at hbailey@cityofmadison.com regarding questions involving any changes mentioned above or if you need alternative filing options. 

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The Historic Preservation Section works to protect the historic resources that represent the City's unique and diverse heritage. The City of Madison contains buildings, structures, signs, features, improvements, sites, and areas that have significant architectural, archaeological, anthropological, historical, and cultural value. Local historic designation ensures that the City's growth sensitively incorporates the City's historic resources.

Landmarks and Local Historic Districts

National Register of Historic Places

The National Register of Historic Places is the nation's list of historically significant cultural resources. It recognizes properties, including archaeological sites, that are significant not only nationally, but also regionally and locally. There are over a dozen National Register Historic Districts and numerous individual properties in Madison listed on the National Register.

National Register designation includes financial incentives in the form of two kinds of tax credits; one for the rehabilitation of income-producing property and one for the rehabilitation of single-family residences. Visit the Wisconsin State Historical Society website for more information about these tax credits.