Provo City

Landmarks Register - Frequently Asked Questions


National Historic Landmarks

State Historic Preservation

Provo City Historical Landmark Preservation Ordinance

Questions regarding the local Landmarks Register

What Benefits Are There For Property Owners?

For some, the recognition and prestige is an incentive to list their properties. Others may find comfort that their property's historical attributwill be preserved for years to come, even if the property may transfer into other hands.

There are zoning incentives for Historic Properties. For example, certain commercial uses are allowed as  conditional uses in historic buildings in certain zones on major street cooriodrs where they wouldn’t otherwise be permitted.

The Uniform Code for Building Conservation also sets less stringent performance standards for building remodeling and rehabilitation.

Many communities, such as Park City and St. George, offer matching grants for facade rehabilitation of historic buildings. Provo City is currently formulating a historic preservation loan progam. Details will be provided later. 

Will The Designation Affect The Use Of The Property?

No. Land use is regulated by zoning.

Will The Designation Affect The Interior Of My Building, Or The Grounds Around It?

No. The City is only interested in seeing that the exterior appearance of the building remains as close as possible to the original historic character.

Will I Need Landmarks Commission Approval To Change The Exterior Appearance Of My Building?

The City asks that owners of Landmark buildings consult with the Landmarks Commission before undertaking work affecting the exterior of the building. Demolition of a landmark must be justified based on criteria within the landmarks preservation ordinance.

The Commission is a resource to help the owner find ways of doing the project in a way that does not destroy character-defining features of the building.

Will I Be Required To Follow A Schedule Of Regular Building Maintenance?

No. While regular maintenance is important for the long-term conservation of buildings, the Landmarks Commission does not try to tell property owners what to do or when to do it. They and the staff can be resources, however, on how to maintain and protect important building systems. If you have any questions, feel free to call them at 852-6429.