Historic Review Process

Special Responsibilities

Owners of buildings that have been designated Historic Sites have a special responsibility in the preservation of these structures. To find out if your property is within the following areas, please visit the Historic Inventory Forms.

If you are an owner of a house that is designated a Historic Structure, there is a special review required for all exterior alterations that affect the outside of the structure (windows, doors, changes in siding material, and additions). These alterations require review by the Planning Division and/or Historic Review Board depending upon the extent of the proposed change to the structure.

Please note: Interior alterations to designated sites do not require review by the Historic Review Board.

Owners of designated properties can make some exterior improvements to their structure without City involvement by complying with the Historic Review Board Policies. These cover areas such as:

Painting
Replacement and repair of existing siding
Rain gutters
Fencing
Foundation Repair
Internal repair
Addition of storm windows

Two Types of Historic Reviews

Alterations to Existing Resources & Additions Less Than 30% of the Original Structure

If alteration requires discretionary decision-making:

Type III review by HRB w/ appeal to City Commission
Subject to Design Guidelines for Alterations
Must submit a Land Use Application (PDF)

If the extent of alteration is limited and falls within the identified HRB policies:

Type I review by staff
Subject to the clear and objective HRB policies

New Construction in Historic Districts Including Additions Greater Than 30% of the Original Structure

Type III review by HRB w/ appeal to City Commission
Subject to Design Guidelines for New Construction
Must submit a Land Use Application (PDF)

Design Advice

The Historic Review Board created the design advice process as a way to interact with applicants at the beginning of the design process. These interactions are at publicly noticed meetings and are entered into the record if the applicant submits for historic land use approval. Design advice from the members of the HRB is non-binding. Design advice submissions should include a narrative description of the proposal along with preliminary architectural drawings. Deadlines for design advice submissions are 11 days prior to an HRB meeting, which is regularly scheduled on the 4th Tuesday of each month.

Properties Not Designated as Historic Sites

If you own a house that is not designated a Historic Site in the Oregon City Comprehensive Plan, you need not go through the Historic Review process. However, the Historic Review Board is always available to answer any design questions you have regarding the preservation and rehabilitation of your house. Additionally, if your house is over 50 years old it may be considered a designated structure in future inventories. The Historic Review Board encourages you to make exterior alterations that will maintain your structure's integrity and be compatible with the neighborhood's New Construction and Demolition. Finally, all new construction and demolition of buildings in the McLoughlin Conservation District and Canemah National Register District require a Historic Review Board review.

If you have any questions, please email Planning or call 503-722-3789

FAQs

What is the difference between "Maintenance" and "Changes"?

Ordinary maintenance and minor repairs involving identical materials and designs do not require an application. Painting previously painted surfaces is a common example of what does not need approval. However, repairs that will use different materials, that would change the existing character of the building, or which are extensive enough to require a building permit, must be approved before work begins. If there is any doubt, owners should consult with the Historic Preservation staff by phone or in person.

Are there alterations which will not be approved?

Alterations that are typically denied are:

Installing vinyl or aluminum siding over wood or other historic materials.
Installing vinyl or aluminum windows.
Painting a masonry surface that is not currently painted.
Sandblasting pressure grit washing, or high-pressure water washing.
Removing or changing distinctive architectural details.
Use of pressure-treated wood as a finish material.

What standards does the Historic Review Board use to evaluate the applications?

The Historic Review Board is required to apply the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings. The Board has also adopted local guidelines. In addition, the Secretary of the Interior has published Guidelines based on the standards, which may be helpful to an applicant considering how to make appropriate changes to a historic structure. The local policies and guidelines interpret the federal Standards on issues that arise frequently in Oregon City.

Are the economics of repairing my property considered?

The economic burden of necessary renovations is considered in two ways:

There is no requirement to restore original features, which have been lost prior to the historic designation of the property or a previous owner, although many owners do choose to do that. However, if you do choose to change a non-historic alteration, it must be with historically appropriate materials. For example, a 1970s aluminum slider window cannot be replaced with a contemporary vinyl window, even if it will look slightly better than the previous window. All new changes are reviewed on how they impact the significance of the historic building.
If repair or maintenance of an existing feature will impose an extreme economic burden, an exception to the standards can be considered; the Historic Review Board will look at: The cost of the rehabilitation work compared to the value the property will have once repaired; The record of the applicant's effort in ongoing maintenance; Alternative means of preservation or restoration available to the applicant.

Are there any tax benefits available for historic renovations?

If you plan major improvements to your historic home in the Canemah National Register District or if you are individually listed on the National Register, the State of Oregon offers a tax freeze program to help you do it right.

For substantial commercial, industrial, and rental housing rehabilitation projects, which comply with the Secretary of Interior's standards, federal tax credits of up to 20% are available. The application process is fairly complicated (you must be on the National Register or be a contributing building in a National Register Historic District), but the tax credits can make the difference in a successful project. The process involves review at the state level.

More information can be obtained from:

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
State Historic Preservation Office
725 Summer Street NE, Suite C
Salem, OR 97301

I noticed that there are many types of inventory forms on the website and some have more information than others, why is that?

The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) creates the framework for the inventory process in Oregon. These guidelines are regularly updated; therefore cities may have a collection of different inventory forms that include slightly different or, in some cases, more detailed information. These forms are cumulative in nature; a new form does not overtake an older form. Together, they paint a picture of the evolution of the building, and depending, upon the type of inventory form used, different information will be presented. If a structure is designated, the inventory form provides background about what features made it suitable for designation and can be updated as needed or required. An omission or incorrect detail in an inventory form does not bind the city to a certain outcome as a land use action might. Rather, they are informative and provide relevant context to future land use decisions.

I think I have found an error on one of the forms, who do I contact to have it changed?

If you believe that a form has incorrect information contact the Planning Division at 503-722-3789. Depending upon the information presented, the forms might be updated, or a note may be added to the website.

I have an historic photo of the house/street and would like to give it to the city to put online, who do I contact?

If you own the photo or have the authority to use it, Oregon City would love to add it to its on-going collection of historic photos. We can even add it directly to the inventory page for the building. Photos from the Oregon Historical Society, Museum of the Oregon Territory, or organizations with propriety ownership will not be uploaded. Contact the Planning Division at 503-722-3789 for help in uploading or scanning your photo.

If it has an inventory form, does that mean it is historic? What makes a building “historic”?

An inventory form can be created for any building. Oregon City currently has inventory forms for both historic and non-historic buildings. Historic designation is bestowed on a property that has applied for local designation through the Land Use process. Oregon City has over 500 properties locally designated! When properties are locally designated, the city has review authority for exterior alterations to the site. Interior alterations do not require a historic review.

If you are unsure as the whether your property is locally designated, contact the Planning Division at 503-722-3789 for confirmation.

Buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places are usually locally designated as well. National Register designations are separately processed through the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and the National Park Service (NPS).

What if I have additional questions that have not been answered?