Since 1973, Seattle has designated more than 400 individual sites, buildings, vehicles, vessels, and street clocks as landmarks subject to protection by city ordinance.
Want to know more about how this process works? Check out our short video below:
In the sections below you will find a step-by-step guide to Seattle's landmark process; answers to frequently asked questions; Landmark Preservation Board minutes, schedules, and agendas; staff contacts; and instructions and a printable PDF form to apply for a "Certificate of Approval" to modify a designated landmark.
Landmarks Preservation Board - Rules and Regulations (PDF)
Submit Public Comment to the Landmarks Preservation Board
2025 Agendas and Minutes
2025 Full Board Meeting Schedule | 2025 ARC Meeting Schedule
- B.F. Day Elementary School Presentation | Staff Report
- Campbell Building Presentation | Staff Report
- Memorial Stadium Presentation | Staff Report | Appendix
- Tolliver Temple Church of God in Christ Agreement
- Campbell Building Presentation
- Fremont Trolley Barn Briefing Packet
- Shannon & Wilson Office Building Briefing Packet
- Wilde Streatfield House Presentation | Nomination| Staff Report
- 800 E Roy St Presentation | Staff Report | Plan Set
May 2, 2025 ARC Meeting Canceled
- Burwell House Nomination | Staff Report | Supplemental Information
- Montlake School Stairs Presentation | Staff Report
- Montlake School Trees Presentation | Staff Report
- BF Day School Briefing Packet
- Montlake School Presentation
- Shannon Wilson Office Building Briefing Packet
April 2, 2025 Agenda | Minutes
- Wilde-Streatfield House: Nomination | Presentation | Staff Report
- Memorial Wall Briefing Packet
March 28, 2025 ARC Meeting Cancelled
March 19, 2025 Agenda | Minutes
March 5, 2025 Agenda | Minutes
- Woodin House Agreement
- Queen Anne Pool Agreement
- Columbia City 3834 S Edmunds Street: Presentation | Staff Report
- Montlake Bridge and Montlake Cut: Presentation | Staff Report
- Gas Works Park Path: Presentation | Staff Report
- Burwell House: Nomination | Presentation | Staff Report
- B.F. Day School Briefing Packet
- Gas Works Park Hill Briefing Packet
- Gas Works Park Path Presentation
- Griffin / Sheridan Briefing Packet
- Montlake Bridge and Montlake Cut Presentation
February 19, 2025 Agenda | Minutes
- Boylston Nomination | Presentation | Staff Report
February 14, 2025 Meeting Canceled
February 5, 2025 Agenda | Minutes
- Sunset Hill: Nomination | Presentation | Staff Report
- Gas Works: Briefing Packet
- Stewart House: Agreement
January 15, 2025 Agenda | Minutes
- 1411 Boylston Avenue: Presentation | Staff Report
- Memorial Wall: Briefing Presentation
January 10, 2025 ARC Cancelled
- Special Tax Valuation
- Washington Park, Pioneer Square Landmark District: Photos | Description | Staff Report
- 62nd Ave NE R.O.W, Sand Point Naval Air Station Landmark District: Presentation | Staff Report
- University of Washington Anderson Hall: Presentation | Staff Report
- Designation
- Lake Court Apartments: Presentation | Nomination Report | Staff Report
December 13, 2024 ARC Cancelled
November 20, 2024 Agenda | Minutes
- Bel-Roy Apartments: Presentation |Staff Report
- University of Washington Anderson Hall: Presentation | Staff Report
- Stewart House: Presentation | Nomination | Staff Report
- 524 Rainier: Presentation | Staff Report
November 6, 2024 Agenda | Minutes
- Original Rainier Brewery / former Seattle Brewing & Malting: Presentation | Staff Report
- Woodin House: Presentation | Nomination | Staff Report
- Lake Court Apartments: Presentation | Nomination | Staff Report
October 16, 2024 Agenda | Minutes
- Controls and Incentives: E. C. Hughes School Agreement | Lincoln High School School Agreement | Daniel Webster School Agreement
- Bressi Garage: Presentation | Staff Report
- Wallingford Center / former Interlaken School: Presentation | Staff Report
- Fremont Crossing / former Bleitz Funeral Home: Presentation | Staff Report
- Stewart House: Presentation | Nomination | Staff Report
- ASUW Shell House / former US Navy Hangar: Presentation
- Bressi Garage
- Wallingford Center / former Interlaken School
- Fremont Crossing / former Bleitz Funeral Home
October 2, 2024 Agenda | Minutes
- Special Tax Valuation - Bloch House: Photos | Staff Report
- 5th Avenue Court Designation: Presentation | Nomination | Staff Report
- Woodin House Nomination: Presentation | Nomination | Staff Report
September 27, 2024 ARC Cancelled
September 18, 2024 Agenda | Minutes
- 3834 S Edmonds Street - Columbia City Landmark District: Presentation | Staff Report
- 3835 S Edmonds Street - Columbia City Landmark District: Presentation | Staff Report
- Seattle Center Playhouse and Exhibition Hall: Presentation | Staff Report
- University Way Apartments: Presentation | Nomination Report | Staff Report
- Mama's Mexican Kitchen Building: Briefing Package
September 4, 2024 Agenda | Minutes
Special Tax Valuation
- 3210 S Lander Street: Presentation | Staff Report
August 21, 2024 Agenda | Minutes
- 5th Avenue Court Nomination: Presentation | Nomination Report | Staff Report
August 16, 2024 ARC Cancelled
August 7, 2024 Agenda | Minutes
- University of Washington Anderson Hall: Presentation | Staff Report
- former Century 21 Coliseum / Climate Pledge Arena: Presentation | Staff Report
- Nomination: University Way Apartments: Presentation | Nomination Report | Staff Report
- University of Washington Anderson Hall
- Seattle Center Playhouse & Exhibition Hall
- former Century 21 Coliseum / Climate Pledge Arena
- B.F. Day Elementary School | Window Survey
July 17, 2024 Agenda | Minutes
- University Library: Presentation | Drawings | Staff Report
- U.S. Immigrant Station and Assay Office: Presentation | Nomination | Nomination Figures | Staff Report
July 12, 2024 ARC Cancelled
- William Groce Center / former Fire Station 6: Presentation
- UW Anderson Hall: Presentation
- UW Shell House: Presentation
June 26, 2024 Agenda | Minutes
- Disability Activism Historic Context Survey
- Sand Point Naval Air Station Landmark District - Building 11: Presentation | Staff Report
- Gas Works Park: Presentation | Staff Report
- William Grose Center / former Fire Station 6: Presentation | Staff Report
- Beacon Hill Garden House: Presentation | Staff Report
- La Quinta Apartments: Presentation | Staff Report
- William Grose Center / former Fire Station 6
- Beacon Hill Garden House
- La Quinta Apartments
- Gas Works Park
- University of Washington Anderson Hall Presentation | Staff Report
- Good Shepherd Center Presentation | Staff Report
- Georgetown Steam Plant Presentation | Staff Report
- Terminal Sales Annex Presentation | Staff Report
- U.S. Immigrant Station and Assay Office Nomination | Presentation | Staff Report
May 15, 2024 Agenda | May 15, 2024 Minutes
- St. James Cathedral: Presentation
- Queen Anne Pool Designation: Presentation | Nomination Report | Staff Report
- UW Anderson Hall: Briefing Packet
May 1, 2024 Agenda | May 1, 2024 Minutes
- Good Shepherd Center: Presentation | Staff Report
- Northwest Rooms & International Fountain Pavilion: Presentation | Staff Report
April 17, 2024 Agenda | April 17, 2024 Minutes
April 12, 2024 ARC Cancelled
April 3, 2024 Agenda | April 3, 2024 Minutes
- Queen Anne Pool Nomination: Presentation | Owner's Presentation | Staff Report | Nomination Report
- St. James Cathedral
- Admiral's House
March 20, 2024 Agenda | March 20, 2024 Minutes
- Queen Anne Pool Nomination: Presentation | Owner's Presentation | Staff Report | Nomination Report
March 6, 2024 Agenda | March 6, 2024 Minutes
- Controls and Incentives
- Certificates of Approval
March 1, 2024 ARC Cancelled
February 21, 2024 Agenda | February 21, 2024 Minutes
February 7, 2024 Agenda | February 7, 2024 Minutes
- University National Bank Presentation | University National Bank Staff Report
- Battelle Talaris Briefing | Vimeo Link
January 17, 2024 Agenda | January 17, 2024 Minutes
January 12, 2024 ARC Cancelled
January 3, 2024 Agenda | January 3, 2024 Minutes
Meeting Agendas, Materials and Minutes
December 20, 2023 Agenda | December 20, 2023 Minutes
- Special Tax Valuation
- 115 S. Jackson Street: Photos | Staff Report
- 419 Occidental Avenue S.: Photos | Staff Report
- 100 S. King Street: Photos | Staff Report
December 15, 2023 ARC Cancelled
December 6, 2023 Agenda | December 6, 2023 Minutes
- Colonial / Grand Pacific Hotel Special Tax: Presentation | Staff Report
- Fir Lodge / Alki Homestead: Presentation | Staff Report
- Columbia City Festival Street: Presentation | Staff Report
- Swedish Club: Presentation | Staff Report
- Controls and Incentives Extension Requests:
- Seattle Center Playhouse and Exhibition Hall
- Battelle Research Institute / Talaris Conference Center
- Designation
- Bloch House: Presentation | Staff Report
November 15, 2023 Agenda | November 15, 2023 Minutes
- Harvard-Belmont Landmark District Special Tax: Documents | Staff Report
- Battelle Memorial Institute / Talaris Conference Center
November 10, 2023 ARC No meeting scheduled. Department of Neighborhoods will be closed for Veteran's Day.
November 1, 2023 Cancelled
October 18, 2023 Agenda | October 18, 2023 Minutes
- Space Needle: Presentation | Staff Report
- Bloch House: Nomination Report | Presentation | Staff Report
October 13, 2023 ARC Cancelled
October 4, 2023 Agenda | October 4, 2023 Minutes
- Controls and Incentives Extension Requests:
- Bullitt House
- E. C. Hughes ElementarySchool
- Daniel Webster Elementary School
- Lincoln High School
- Seattle Times Office Building: Presentation
- Memorial Stadium: Presentation // Nomination // Supplemental Information // Staff Report
September 20, 2023 Agenda | September 20, 2023 Minutes
- Cettolin House: Controls and Incentives Agreement
- University Bank TDR: Draft Agreement // Ordinance // Staff Report
- Central Building: Presentation // Staff Report
- Baker Linen Building: Presentation // Staff Report
- Leona Apartments: Presentation // Staff Report
- Seattle Center Playhouse and Exhibition Hall: Presentation // Nomination // Staff Report
September 6, 2023 - Due to the holiday, no regularly scheduled meeting
August 16, 2023 Agenda | August 16, 2023 Minutes
- Memorial Stadium: Presentation | Nomination | Staff Report
- Sand Point Naval Air Station Building 12: Presentation | Staff Report
- Alki Homestead / Fir Lodge: Presentation | Staff Report
August 2, 2023 Agenda | August 2, 2023 Minutes
- Seattle Center Playhouse and Exhibition Hall Nomination: Presentation | Nomination Report | Staff Report
July 28, 2023 ARC Meeting Cancelled
July 19, 2023 Agenda | July 19, 2023 Minutes
- Continental Hotel: Controls and Incentives Agreement
- Freeway Park: Controls and Incentives Agreement
- Bullitt House Designation: Presentation | Nomination Report | Staff Report
- Georgetown Steam Plant: Briefing Presentation
July 14, 2023 ARC Meeting Cancelled
July 5, 2023 Due to adjacent holiday, no regularly scheduled meeting
June 30, 2023 ARC Meeting Cancelled
June 21, 2023 Agenda | June 21, 2023 Minutes
- Tolliver Temple Church of God in Christ Designation: Presentation | Nomination | Staff Report
- University Heights Community Center: Presentation | Staff Report
- Seattle Tower: Presentation | Staff Report
- 3414-16 Fremont Ave: Nomination | Presentation | Staff Report
- Bullitt House: Nomination | Presentation | Staff Report
June 2, 2023 ARC Meeting Cancelled
- Tolliver Temple Church of God in Christ: Nomination | Presentation | Staff Report
- UW Anderson Hall: Controls Agreement | Attachment
May 12, 2023 ARC Meeting Cancelled
- Leona Park Ridge: Presentation | Window Survey| Drawings | Staff Report
- 3414-16 Fremont Avenue: Nomination Report | Presentation | Staff Report
- Georgetown Steam Plant: Presentation
- Battelle-Talaris: Presentation
- Contental Hotel: Presentation
April 19, 2023 Agenda | Minutes
- Parker-Fersen House: Presentation | Staff Report
- Cettolin House: Presentation | Nomination | Supplemental Information | Staff Report
- Parker Ferson House: Presentation
- University Branch Library: Presentation
April 5, 2023 Agenda | Minutes
- Seattle Center House / Armory: Staff Report | Presentation | Drawings
- Bressi Garage: Staff Report | Presentation | Drawings
- Montlake Elementary School: Staff Report | Presentation | Drawings
- 1550 E Olive Way: Staff Report | Presentation | Nomination Application
- Bressi Garage: Briefing Package
- Thompson-La Turner House: Briefing Package
- The Leona / Park Ridge Apartments: Briefing Package | Window Survey
March 15, 2023 Agenda | Minutes
- Columbia City Review Committee: Board Member Appointments
- Sorrento Hotel: Staff Report | Transfer of Development Rights Document
- Continental Hotel: Presentation | Staff Report
- Griffin Building / Sheridan Apartments: Briefing Presentation
March 1, 2023 Agenda / Minutes
- Cettolin House Nomination / Cettolin House Presentation / Staff Report
- Georgetown Steam Plant Briefing
- Leamington Pacific: Briefing Packet
February 15, 2023 Agenda / Minutes
- Columbia City Review District - 4914 Rainier Avenue: Presentation | Staff Report
- Pacific Science Center: Briefing
- Elephant Car Wash Sign: Agreement
- Evans Pool: Agreement
February 1, 2023 Agenda / Minutes
- Beacon Hill Garden / Turner-Koepf House Agreement
- Continental Hotel Presentation / Continental Hotel Nomination / Continental Hotel Staff Report
January 18, 2023 Agenda / Minutes
January 4, 2023 Agenda / Minutes
Meeting Materials Archives
There are four steps to the landmarks designation process: nomination, designation, controls and incentives, and a designating ordinance:
1. Nomination
Download Nomination Application
A nomination for City of Seattle landmark status may be submitted by any person or group. A standard nomination application, available from the Historic Preservation Program, must be completed and reviewed by the City Historic Preservation Officer for adequacy. A nomination form and information packet may be obtained by requesting one from the Historic Preservation Office. Once the submitted nomination application has been determined to be adequate, the nomination will be scheduled for consideration by the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board at a public meeting. At the public meeting, the Board may approve the nomination in whole or in part.
Another public meeting is scheduled for designation 30 to 60 days from the date of approval of the nomination. Once a building is nominated, any alterations to the features that were approved for nomination require a Certificate of Approval. If the Board does not approve a nomination, the proceedings terminate and the property cannot be considered for nomination for five years, except at the request of the owner.
2. Designation Standards
In order to be designated, the building, object, or site must be at least 25 years old and must meet at least one of the six criteria for designation outlined in the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Ordinance (SMC 25.12.350):
a) It is the location of, or is associated in a significant way with, a historic event with a significant effect upon the community, City, state, or nation; or
b) It is associated in a significant way with the life of a person important in the history of the City, state, or nation; or
c) It is associated in a significant way with a significant aspect of the cultural, political, or economic heritage of the community, City, state or nation; or
d) It embodies the distinctive visible characteristics of an architectural style, or period, or a method of construction; or
e) It is an outstanding work of a designer or builder; or
f) Because of its prominence of spatial location, contrasts of siting, age, or scale, it is an easily identifiable visual feature of its neighborhood or the city and contributes to the distinctive quality or identity of such neighborhood or the City.
In addition to meeting at least one of the above standards, the object, site, or improvement must also possess integrity or the ability to convey its significance. At the public meeting on designation, the Board will receive evidence and hear arguments as to whether the site, building or object meets the standards for designation. If the Board does not designate the property, the proceedings terminate and the property cannot be considered for designation for five years, except at the request of the owner.
3. Controls and Incentives Agreements
If the Board designates a property, a Controls and Incentives Agreement for the landmark is negotiated by the Board staff with the property owner. Once an agreement is reached and signed, it is forwarded to the Landmarks Preservation Board for approval at a public meeting. Controls define those features of the landmark to be preserved and outline the Certificate of Approval process for changes to those features. Incentives may include, but are not limited to, zoning variances, building code exceptions, and financial incentives.
4. Designating Ordinance
When an agreement on the Controls and Incentives has been reached with the property owner and approved by the Landmarks Preservation Board, a designating ordinance is forwarded to the Seattle City Council for approval. The property owner can appeal the Board's recommendation on Controls and Incentives to the Hearing Examiner. The City's Hearing Examiner may modify the Board's recommendation and forward a decision to the City Council for consideration. Either party may appeal the Hearing Examiner's recommendation to the City Council. The nomination, designation, and Controls and Incentives process and appeal procedures are described in detail in the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Ordinance (SMC 25.12).
A Certificate of Approval must be issued before changes can be made to individually designated City Landmarks or to properties within the City's eight historic districts.
Refer to the District Guidelines and other relevant resources for information regarding design standards and other considerations.
Please consult the Guide to Acing the Certificate of Approval Process before starting the online application process.
The following changes require a Certificate of Approval before work can begin, even if no permit from the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) is required:
- Any change to the exterior of any building or structure
- Installation of any new sign or changes to existing signs
- A change in the color the building or structure is painted Any change in a public right-of-way or other public space, including parks and sidewalks - this may include sidewalk displays, street lights and so forth
- New construction
- Demolition of any building or structure
- Changes to the interior that show from the street, changes to individual business spaces in the Pike Place Market, and changes to the interior of some landmark buildings
- Site alterations in some cases
- A proposed new business or service or an expansion of current use in some cases.
- Wilde-Streatfield House Nomination | Wilde-Streatfield House Public Notice
- Burwell House Nomination | Burwell House Public Notice
- 1411 Boylston Nomination Report | 1411 Boylston Graphics | 1411 Boylston Public Notice
- Lake Court Apartment Nomination
- Sunset Hill Community Hall Nomination Report| Sunset Hill Community Hall Public Notice
- former Phillis Wheatley YWCA: Nomination Report
- FOR REFERENCE ONLY: Seattle Schools Built between 1945 - 1965