Landmarks
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.
Rules and Regulations
Public Comment
Submit Public Comment to the Landmarks Preservation Board
2021 Landmarks Preservation Board Agendas and Minutes
2021 Meeting Schedule | 2021 ARC Meeting Schedule
2020 Landmarks Preservation Board Agendas and Minutes
2020 Meeting Schedule | 2020 ARC Meeting Schedule
January 15, 2020 | January 15, 2020 Minutes
February 5, 2020 Agenda | February 5, 2020 Minutes
February 19, 2020 Agenda | February 19, 2020 Minutes
March 4, 2020 Agenda | March 4, 2020 Minutes
March 13, 2020 ARC Cancellation
March 18, 2020 - CANCELLED
April 1, 2020 - CANCELLED
April 10, 2020 ARC - CANCELED
April 15, 2020 - CANCELLED
May 1, 2020 ARC - CANCELLED
May 6, 2020 - CANCELLED
May 15, 2020 ARC - CANCELLED
May 20, 2020 - CANCELLED
May 29, 2020 ARC - CANCELLED
June 3, 2020 - CANCELLED
June 12, 2020 ARC - CANCELLED
June 17, 2020 ARC - CANCELLED
June 26, 2020 ARC - CANCELLED
July 1, 2020 Agenda
July 10, 2020 ARC - CANCELLED
July 15, 2020 Agenda
July 31, 2020 ARC - CANCELLED
August 5, 2020 Agenda
August 14, 2020 ARC Cancelled
August 28, 2020 ARC Agenda: In-person attendance is currently prohibited per Washington State Governor's Proclamation No. 20-28.5. Meeting participation is limited to access by the WebEx meeting link or the telephone call-in line provided on agenda.
September 2, 2020 Agenda: In-person attendance is currently prohibited per Washington State Governor's Proclamation No. 20-28.5. Meeting participation is limited to access by the WebEx meeting link or the telephone call-in line provided on agenda.
September 11, 2020 ARC Agenda: In-person attendance is currently prohibited per Washington State Governor's Proclamation No. 20-28.5. Meeting participation is limited to access by the WebEx meeting link or the telephone call-in line provided on agenda.
September 16, 2020 Agenda: In-person attendance is currently prohibited per Washington State Governor's Proclamation No. 20-28.5. Meeting participation is limited to access by the WebEx meeting link or the telephone call-in line provided on agenda.
October 2, 2020 ARC Agenda: In-person attendance is currently prohibited per Washington State Governor's Proclamation No. 20-28.5. Meeting participation is limited to access by the WebEx meeting link or the telephone call-in line provided on agenda.
October 7, 2020 Agenda: In-person attendance is currently prohibited per Washington State Governor's Proclamation No. 20-28.5. Meeting participation is limited to access by the WebEx meeting link or the telephone call-in line provided on agenda.
October 16, 2020 ARC Agenda: In-person attendance is currently prohibited per Washington State Governor's Proclamation No. 20-28.5. Meeting participation is limited to access by the WebEx meeting link or the telephone call-in line provided on agenda.
October 21, 2020 Agenda: In-person attendance is currently prohibited per Washington State Governor's Proclamation No. 20-28.5. Meeting participation is limited to access by the WebEx meeting link or the telephone call-in line provided on agenda.
October 30, 2020 ARC Agenda: In-person attendance is currently prohibited per Washington State Governor's Proclamation No. 20-28.5. Meeting participation is limited to access by the WebEx meeting link or the telephone call-in line provided on agenda.
November 4, 2020 Agenda: In-person attendance is currently prohibited per Washington State Governor's Proclamation No. 20-28.5. Meeting participation is limited to access by the WebEx meeting link or the telephone call-in line provided on agenda.
November 13, 2020 ARC Agenda: In-person attendance is currently prohibited per Washington State Governor's Proclamation No. 20-28.5. Meeting participation is limited to access by the WebEx meeting link or the telephone call-in line provided on agenda.
November 18, 2020 Agenda: In-person attendance is currently prohibited per Washington State Governor's Proclamation No. 20-28.5. Meeting participation is limited to access by the WebEx meeting link or the telephone call-in line provided on agenda.
December 2, 2020 Agenda In-person attendance is currently prohibited per Washington State Governor's Proclamation No. 20-28.5. Meeting participation is limited to access by the WebEx meeting link or the telephone call-in line provided on agenda.
2019 Landmarks Preservation Board Agendas and Minutes
2019 Meeting Schedule | 2019 ARC Meeting Schedule
January 2, 2019 Agenda | January 2, 2019 Minutes
January 16, 2019 Agenda |January 16, 2019 Minutes
February 6, 2019 Agenda | February 6, 2019 Minutes
February 20, 2019 Agenda | February 20, 2019 Minutes
March 6, 2019 Agenda | March 6, 2019 Minutes
March 20, 2019 Agenda | March 20, 2019 Minutes
April 3, 2019 Agenda | April 3, 2019 Minutes
April 17, 2019 Agenda | April 17, 2019 Minutes
May 1, 2019 Agenda | May 1, 2019 Minutes
May 15, 2019 Agenda | May 15, 2019 Minutes
June 5, 2019 Agenda | June 5, 2019 Minutes
June 19, 2019 Agenda | June 19, 2019 Minutes
July 3, 2019 No Meeting
July 17, 2019 Agenda | July 17, 2019 Minutes
August 7, 2019 Agenda | August 7, 2019 Minutes
August 21, 2019 Agenda | August 21, 2019 Minutes
September 4, 2019 Agenda | September 4, 2019 Minutes
September 18, 2019 Agenda | September 18, 2019 Minutes
October 2, 2019 Agenda | October 2, 2019 Minutes
October 16, 2019 Agenda | October 16, 2019 Minutes
November 6, 2019 Agenda | November 6, 2019 Minutes
November 20, 2019 Agenda | November 20, 2019 Minutes
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
May 16, 2018 Agenda | May 16, 2018 Minutes
June 6, 2018 Agenda | June 6, 2018 Minutes
June 26, 2018 Agenda | June 26, 2018 Minutes
July 18, 2018 Agenda | July 18, 2018 Minutes
August 1, 2018 Agenda | August 1, 2018 Minutes
August 15, 2018 Agenda | August 15, 2018 Minutes
September 5, 2018 Agenda | September 5, 2018 Minutes
September 19, 2018 Agenda | September 19, 2018 Minutes
October 3, 2018 Agenda | October 3, 2018 Minutes
October 17, 2018 Agenda | October 17, 2018 Minutes
November 7, 2018 Agenda | November 7, 2018 Minutes
November 21, 2018 Agenda | November 21, 2018 Minutes
December 5, 2018 Agenda | December 5, 2018 Minutes
December 19, 2018 Agenda | December 19, 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).
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.
- Battelle Memorial Institute Seattle Research Center / Talaris Conference Center
- Bordeaux House Nomination / Bordeaux House Public Notice
- First Evangelical Church and Parsonage Nomination | First Evangelical Church and Parsonage Appendix A Architectural Drawings
- Hahn Building Nomination | Hahn Building Public Notice
- Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge Nomination | Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge Drawings
- Mt. Zion Baptist Church
- The Showbox Nomination Report | The Showbox Additional Historic Resource Report