Historic Preservation in Dallas County, TX (2026)

2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Dallas County, Texas.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Dallas County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Historic-Cultural Monuments

Dallas County designates historic markers and monuments through its 15-member Historical Commission, not through a zoning or landmarks board. A state historical marker cannot be recommended for any property without the owner's written consent, and no other historical designation or demolition protection can be recommended without Commissioners Court approval.

Dallas County Historical Commission Marks Historic Sites

Light Restrictions

Dallas County Code Sec. 2-169

The historical commission shall not recommend to the state historical commission that a state historical marker be placed on property without the property owner's consent. The commission shall also not recommend that any other form of historical designation be bestowed or that any historical structure be protected from demolition without the commissioners court's approval.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Mills Act Contracts

California's Mills Act does not exist in Texas. Texas Tax Code Section 11.24 lets cities and counties exempt part or all of designated historic property's appraised value from local taxes if adopted by the taxing unit.

Texas Has No Mills Act; Tax Code 11.24 Historic Exemption

Few Restrictions

Tex. Tax Code Sec. 11.24 (Historic Sites Property Tax Exemption)

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) designat...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Historic Preservation by City in Dallas County

2 cities in Dallas County have their own historic preservation rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

DallasPop. 1,304,379

4 verified rules • Historic-Cultural Monuments, HCM Demolition Controls

CarrolltonPop. 133,434

1 verified rule • Historic-Cultural Monuments

All Dallas County ordinances

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