Historic Preservation in Dallas, TX (2026)

4 verified historic preservation rules for Dallas, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

HPOZ Rules

Dallas Development Code Chapter 51A Section 4.501 creates Historic Overlay Districts (HPDs) like Swiss Avenue, Munger Place, and Winnetka Heights, each with district-specific preservation criteria enforced by the Landmark Commission through a Certificate of Appropriateness review.

Dallas Historic Overlay Districts Govern Exterior Changes

Heavy Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Historic-Cultural Monuments

Dallas Development Code Chapter 51A Section 4.501 also authorizes individual Landmark designation for buildings, structures, sites, or districts of architectural, historical, or cultural significance, reviewed by the Landmark Commission and approved by City Council ordinance.

Dallas Landmark Designation Protects Individual Properties

Heavy Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Mills Act Contracts

Texas does not have a California-style Mills Act property-tax contract program. Instead Texas Tax Code Section 11.24 authorizes cities and counties to grant partial property-tax exemptions for designated historic sites, which Dallas implements through its Historic Site Tax Exemption.

Texas Has No Mills Act; Tax Code 11.24 Historic Exemption Applies

Some Restrictions

Tex. Tax Code Sec. 11.24

Sec. 11.24. HISTORIC SITES. (a) The governing body of a taxing unit by official action of the body adopted in the manner required by law for official actions may exempt from taxation part or all of the assessed value of a structure or archeological site and the land necessary for access to and use of the structure or archeological site, if the structure or archeological site is: (1) designated ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

HCM Demolition Controls

Dallas Development Code Chapter 51A Section 4.501 prohibits demolition of designated Landmarks or contributing buildings inside Historic Overlay Districts without a Certificate of Appropriateness, with mandatory Landmark Commission review and a demolition-delay process for nominated properties.

Dallas Demolition Delay Protects Landmarks and HPD Buildings

Heavy Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Looking for Dallas County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Dallas city rules.

Historic Preservation in Dallas County →