Historic Preservation

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  3. Design Guidelines and Ordinance Regulations

Design Guidelines and Ordinance Regulations

Salt Lake City Design Guidelines

Extensive information on the range of issues associated with the maintenance, care, repair and alteration of a historic property, and on design criteria for new construction in a historic district, the adopted design guidelines provide guidance and advice on ways to meet the design standards in the Salt Lake City Zoning Ordinance.

The design guidelines are a valuable resource for owners, designers, contractors and developers in planning a project, and are also used by the Historic Landmark Commission and City staff in the review of proposals affecting a landmark site or a property in a local historic district. The design guidelines are based on nationally accepted principles for historic preservation and apply to designated historic resources across the city.

Residential Design Guidelines

A Preservation Handbook for Historic Residential Properties and Districts in Salt Lake City

The Preservation Handbook provides guidance and advice on ways to meet the design standards in the Salt Lake City Zoning Ordinance and additional information on the range of issues associated with the maintenance, care, repair and alteration of a historic property and on design criteria for new construction in a historic district. The design guidelines are a valuable resource for owners, designers, contractors and developers in planning a project and are also used by the Historic Landmark Commission and City Staff in the review of proposals affecting a landmark site or a property in a local historic district. The guidelines revise and update the City’s previous historic residential design guidelines and were adopted by City Council on Dec 11, 2012.

A Preservation Handbook for Historic Residential Properties & Districts in Salt Lake City (Entire Document)

Part I – Preservation in Salt Lake City

Part II – Design Guidelines: Rehabilitation / General / New Construction

Part III – Design Guidelines: Historic Districts

Appendices

Historic Apartment and Multi-Family Buildings Design Guidelines

Design Guidelines for Historic Apartments and Multifamily Buildings in Salt Lake City

The Preservation Handbook provides guidance and advice on ways to meet the design standards in the Salt Lake City Zoning Ordinance and additional information on the range of issues associated with the maintenance, care, repair, alteration of a historic property and design criteria for new construction in a historic district. The design guidelines are a valuable resource for owners, designers, contractors and developers in planning a project, and are also used by the Historic Landmark Commission and City Staff in the review of proposals affecting a landmark site or a property in a local historic district. The guidelines revise and update the City’s previous historic residential design guidelines and were adopted by City Council on April 7, 2015.

Design Guidelines for Historic Apartments and Multifamily Buildings in Salt Lake City (Entire Document)

Part I – Preservation in Salt Lake City

Part II – Design Guidelines: Rehabilitation / General / New Construction

Part III – Historic Districts Apartments & Multifamily Development

Part IV – Design Principles & Guidelines for Sustainable Development

Appendices

Commercial Design Guidelines

Design Guidelines for Historic Commercial Properties & Districts in Salt Lake City

On December 11, 2012 the City Council adopted the Commercial Design Guidelines. The document is an important resource for all applicants to review prior to starting a project affecting an individually designated landmark site or property within one of the City’s 7 historic districts. They provide a background history of the City’s commercial development, an understanding of historic preservation and architectural design principles, and guidance which promotes predictability and ensures that change occurs in a manner that respects the existing historic context.

Design Guidelines for Historic Commercial Properties & Districts in Salt Lake City (Entire Document)

Part I – Preservation in Salt Lake City

Part II – Design Guidelines: Rehabilitation / New Construction

Part III – Historic Districts

Appendices

Sign Design Guidelines

Design Guidelines for Signs in Historic Districts

The Design Guidelines for Signs apply to all existing and new exterior signs for a landmark site or a property in a local historic district. The goal of the guidelines is to meet the needs of various interests in the community by providing guidance in determining the suitability and architectural compatibility of proposed signs, while at the same time, allowing for reasonable changes to individual signs to meet current needs. For property owners, architects, designers and contractors, they provide guidance in planning and designing future projects. For City staff and the Historic Landmark Commission, they provide an outline through which projects can be evaluated for compliance with Zoning Ordinance standards. Further, they provide the community as a whole with an idea of what to expect when signs are proposed in historic districts or landmark sites.

Design Guidelines for Signs in Historic Districts (Entire Document)

Zoning Ordinance – Historic Preservation Overlay

Section 21A.34.020 of the Salt Lake City Zoning Ordinance contains standards pertaining to the locally designated in Salt Lake City. Prior to making changes to the exterior of buildings and to properties that are locally designated, property owners must get approval (Certificate of Appropriateness) that certifies that the proposed changes meet the adopted rules.

Community Preservation Plan

The Community Preservation Plan is the City’s comprehensive plan that provides policies and direction relating to historic preservation in Salt Lake City. The plan was adopted in 2012.

Preservation Program Philosophy

The Salt Lake City Council adopted the Preservation Program Philosophy Statement in 2011 to identify the importance of historic preservation in Salt Lake City.

Cultural Landscape Reports

Pioneer Park Cultural Landscape Report

The Public Lands Department funded a Cultural Landscape Report (CLR) for Pioneer Park, the first document of this type for the City. Pioneer Park is significant to both Salt Lake City’s founding and the diverse community members who have enjoyed the park since its creation. Pioneer Park is listed on the Local and National Registers of Historic Places as a Landmark site.

The report, particularly the treatment recommendations, provides guidance for proposed improvements, maintenance, and operations of the park. The Historic Landmark Commission was briefed on the report in August 2021 and February 2022. This report is now complete. 

Additional Information

Historic preservation is common throughout the Country. The federal government provides more in depth information for various types of preservation projects. This information can help owners of historic properties maintain the structures following best practice maintenance and rehabilitation methods.

Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties – includes information on how to maintain the historic character of the building.

Preservation Briefs offer more in depth information on specific types of construction and rehabilitation projects.

Seismic Upgrades for Unreinforced Masonry Buildings

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