Landmarks
Since 1973, Seattle has designated more than 450 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 comic strip called The Making of a Landmark: A True Story (the cartoon version).
Or, watch the video version 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.
Rules and Regulations
2018 Landmarks Preservation Board Agendas and Minutes
2018 Meeting Schedule | 2018 ARC Meeting Schedule
January 3, 2018 Agenda | January 3, 2018 Minutes
January 17, 2018 Agenda | January 17, Minutes
February 7, 2018 Agenda | February 7, 2018 Minutes
February 21, 2018 Agenda | February 21, 2018 Minutes
March 7, 2018 Agenda | March 7, 2018 Minutes
March 21, 2018 Agenda | March 21, 2018 Minutes
April 4, 2018 Agenda | April 4, 2018 Minutes
April 18, 2018 Agenda | April 18, 2018 Minutes
May 2, 2018 Agenda | May 2, 2018 Minutes
2017 Landmarks Preservation Board Agendas and Minutes
2017 Meeting Schedule | 2017 ARC Meeting Schedule
January 4, 2017 Agenda | January 4, 2017 Minutes
January 18, 2017 Agenda | January 18, 2017 Minutes
February 1, 2017 Agenda | February 1, 2017 Minutes
February 15, 2017 Agenda | February 15, 2017 Minutes
March 1, 2017 Agenda | March 1, 2017 Minutes
March 15, 2017 Agenda | March 15, 2017 Minutes
April 5, 2017 Agenda | April 5, 2017 Minutes
April 19, 2017 Agenda | April 19, 2017 Minutes
May 3, 2017 Agenda | May 3, 2017 Minutes
May 17, 2017 Agenda | May 17, 2017 Minutes
June 7, 2017 Agenda | June 7, 2017 Minutes
June 21, 2017 Agenda | June 21, 2017 Minutes
July 5, 2017 Agenda | July 5, 2017 Minutes
July 19, 2017 Agenda | July 19, 2017 Minutes
August 2, 2017 Agenda | August 2, 2017 Minutes
August 16, 2017 Agenda| August 16, 2017 Minutes
September 6, 2017 Agenda | September 6, 2017 Minutes
September 20, 2017 Agenda | September 20, 2017 Minutes
October 4, 2017 Agenda | October 4, 2017 Minutes
October 18, 2017 Agenda | October 18, 2017 Minutes
November 1, 2017 Agenda | November 1, 2017 Minutes
November 15, 2017 Agenda | November 15, 2017 Minutes
2016 Landmarks Preservation Board Agenda and Minutes
January 6, 2016 Agenda | January 6, 2016 Minutes
January 15, 2016 Agenda Architectural Review Committee
January 20, 2016 Agenda | January 20, 2016 Minutes
January 29, 2016 Agenda Architectural Review Committee
February 3, 2016 Agenda | February 3, 2016 Minutes
February 12, 2016 Agenda Archtiectural Review Committee
February 17, 2016 Agenda |February 17, 2016 Minutes
March 2, 2016 Agenda | March 2, 2016 Minutes
March 11, 2016 Agenda Architectural Review Committee NOTE LOCATION CHANGE
March 16, 2016 Agenda | March 16, 2016 Minutes
March 25, 2016 Agenda Architectural Review Committee
April 6, 2016 Agenda | April 6, 2016 Minutes
April 20, 2016 Agenda | April 20, 2016 Minutes
May 4, 2016 Agenda | May 4, 2016 Minutes
May 13, 2016 Agenda Architectural Review Committee
May 18, 2016 Agenda | May 18, 2016 Minutes
May 27, 2016 Agenda Architectural Review Committee
June 1, 2016 Agenda | June 1, 2016 Minutes
June 10, 2016 Agenda Architectural Review Committee
June 15, 2016 Agenda | June 15, 2016 Minutes
June 24, 2016 Agenda Architectural Review Committee NOTE LOCATION
July 6, 2016 Agenda | July 6, 2016 Minutes
July 20, 2016 Agenda | July 20, 2016 Minutes
July 29, 2016 Agenda Architectural Review Committee
August 3, 2016 Agenda | August 3, 2016 Minutes
August 12, 2016 Agenda Architectural Review Committee
August 17, 2016 Agenda | August 17, 2016 Minutes
September 2, 2016 Agenda Architectural Review Committee
September 7, 2016 Agenda REVISED | September 7, 2016 Minutes
September 16, 2016 Agenda Architectural Review Committee - Revised
September 21, 2016 Agenda | September 21, 2016 Minutes
September 30, 2016 Agenda Architectural Review Committee NOTE LOCATION
October 5, 2016 Agenda | October 5, 2016 Minutes
October 14, 2016 Agenda Architectural Review Committee
October 19, 2016 Agenda | October 19, 2016 Minutes
October 28, 2016 Agenda Architectural Review Committee
November 8, 2016 Meeting Cancellation Notice
November 16, 2016 Agenda | November 16, 2016 Minutes
December 2, 2016 Agenda Architectural Review Committee
December 7, 2016 Agenda | December 7, 2016 Minutes
December 16, 2016 Agenda Architectural Review Committee
2015 Landmarks Preservation Board Agendas and Minutes
January 7, 2015 Agenda | January 7, 2015 Minutes
January 21, 2015 Agenda | January 21, 2015 Minutes
February 5, 2015 Agenda | February 5, 2015 Minutes
February 18, 2015 Agenda | February 18, 2015 Minutes
March 4, 2015 Agenda | March 4, 2015 Minutes
March 18, 2015 Agenda | March 18, 2015 Minutes
April 1, 2015 Agenda | April 1, 2015 Minutes
April 10, 2015 Agenda - Architectural Review Committee
April 15, 2015 Agenda | April 15, 2015 Minutes
May 1, 2015 Agenda - Architectural Review Committee
May 6, 2015 Agenda | May 6, 2015 Minutes
May 20, 2015 Agenda | May 20, 2015 Minutes
May 29, 2015 Agenda - Architectural Review Committee
June 3, 2015 Agenda | June 3, 2015 Minutes
June 12, 2015 Agenda - Architectural Review Committee
June 17, 2015 Agenda | June 17, 2015 Minutes
June 26, 2015 Agenda - Architectural Review Committee
July 1, 2015 Agenda | July 1, 2015 Minutes
July 15, 2015 Agenda | July 15, 2015 Minutes
July 31, 2015 Agenda | Architectural Review Committee
August 5, 2015 Agenda | August 5, 2015 Minutes
August 14, 2015 Agenda | Architectural Review Committee
August 19, 2015 Agenda | August 19, 2015 Minutes
August 28, 2015 Agenda | Architectural Review Committee
September 2, 2015 Agenda | September 2, 2015 Minutes
September 11, 2015 Agenda | Architectural Review Committee
September 16, 2015 Agenda | September 16, 2015 Minutes
October 2, 2015 Agenda | Architectural Review Committee
October 7, 2015 Agenda | October 7, 2015 Minutes
October 16, 2015 Agenda | Architectural Review Committee
October 21, 2015 Agenda | October 21, 2015 Minutes
October 30, 2015 Agenda | Architectural Review Committee
November 4, 2015 Agenda | November 4, 2015 Minutes
November 13, 2015 Agenda | Architectural Review Committee
November 18, 2015 Agenda | November 18, 2015 Minutes
December 2, 2015 Agenda | December 2, 2015 Minutes
December 11, 2015 Agenda | Architectural Review Committee
December 16, 2015 Agenda | December 16, 2015 Minutes
2014 Landmark Preservation Board Agendas and Minutes
November 5, 2014 Agenda | November 5, 2014 Minutes
November 19, 2014 Agenda | November 19, 2014 Minutes
December 3, 2014 Agenda | December 3, 2014 Minutes
December 17, 2014 Agenda | December 17, 2014 Minutes
» Archived Landmarks Preservation Board Agendas and Minutes
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).
» Complete an application for a Certificate of Approval.
There are fewer restrictions than you might think since the goal is to manage change, not to eliminate it. Protection is provided by review and approval of modifications to the exteriors and, in some cases, the interiors of buildings. In other cases, building use is monitored. Review guidelines and the process of applying for a Certificate of Approval to make a change vary depending on the district or landmark. Consult the Historic Preservation Program at (206) 684-0228 or the Internet homepage for the preservation district where your property is located.
If your building is located inside a preservation district, review of the ordinance that established the District and the use and design guidelines developed to protect it are your best measures as to whether the change you want to make is appropriate. For a landmark, consult the designating ordinance or the Controls and Incentives Agreement for that property.The following changes require a Certificate of Approval before work can begin, even if no permit from the 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.
Certificate of Approval Process
Before you make any change to a structure or site in a preservation district or to a landmark, contact the Historic Preservation Program so we can recommend next steps. You can reach us at (206) 684-0228. Specific requirements vary by district, but in general the approval process consists of these steps:
Step 1:
» Complete an application for a Certificate of Approval.
Landmarks and preservation districts have separate application forms since requirements vary. The Historic Preservation Program will send you an application. See Instructions for Applying for a Certificate of Approval for additional information about the process.
Step 2: Submit the original of the completed application, any other required information, and a check to cover the administrative fee. Mail or deliver it to the Historic Preservation Program.
Step 3: The Historic Preservation Program Coordinator checks your application for completeness and compliance with guidelines. After your application is determined complete, the coordinator places it on the agenda for the next public meeting of the Board or Commission responsible for overseeing your property. In some cases, the coordinator will also schedule you to meet with a Design Review, Architectural Review or Use Review Committee. These committees meet prior to the full Board meeting and make a recommendation to the full Board.
Step 4: At the full meeting of the Board, you present your application and the members vote on it. Based on the vote, your application is approved, approved with conditions, or denied. You are then issued a Certificate of Approval or a Letter of Denial.
Certificate of Approval Appeals Process
Each board or commission has a specific appeal procedure that should be consulted. All appeals are made by the City of Seattle Hearing Examiner, 700 5th Ave, Suite 4000, PO Box 94729, Seattle, WA 98124-4729, (206) 684-0521. A $50 filing fee must accompany the appeal. The Hearing Examiner's decision is the final City review.
To apply for a Certificate of Approval, please follow the instructions on this form:
- 1915 3rd Avenue, White Garage Nomination
- Anhalt Hall Nomination | Anhalt Hall Drawings
- Battelle Memorial Institute Seattle Research Center / Talaris Conference Center
- Bressi Garage / Pottery Northwest Nomination
- Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, Seattle Branch | Nomination | Federal Reserve Bank Appendix 2 | Federal Reserve Bank Appendix 3
- First Evangelical Church and Parsonage Nomination | First Evangelical Church and Parsonage Appendix A Architectural Drawings | First Evangelical Church Public Notice
- Franklin Apartments | 2009 Nomination Report | 2015 Nomination Report | Historic Seattle Analysis of the Franklin Apartments
- Highland Apartments Nomination
- Key Arena / West Court /NASA / Blue Spruce Apartments Nomination
- Mama's Mexican Kitchen Nomination Report
- Mount Baker Community Clubhouse Nomination Report | Mount Baker Community Clubhouse Public Notice
- Mt. Zion Baptist Church Nomination
- Seattle Times Building 1947 Office Building
- Seattle Times Building Printing Plant
- Seven Gables Nomination
- Sullivan House Nomination
- University of Washington Canoe House Nomination
- University of Washington Parrington Hall
- Wayne Apartments
- Seattle Schools Built between 1945 - 1965