Ames, IA Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)

Ames Municipal Code Section 31.7(2) sets the criteria the Historic Preservation Commission applies before recommending that a building, structure or site be designated a historic landmark. Every candidate must first be significant in national, state or local history, architecture, landscape architecture, archaeology or culture, and satisfy at least one of four tests: association with events that made a significant contribution to broad historical patterns; association with the lives of persons significant in the community's past; embodiment of distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction, the work of a master, high artistic value, or a significant entity whose individual components might otherwise lack distinction; or the likelihood of yielding important information about prehistory or history.

Beyond that threshold, the property must also possess integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association, meaning a heavily altered or relocated structure can fail designation even if historically associated with a significant event. The Historic Preservation Commission, established under Sec. 31.3, reviews nomination proposals under Sec. 31.6 and 31.8, holds public hearings under Sec. 31.9, and, once a landmark is designated, gains authority under Chapter 31 to review Certificates of Appropriateness for any alteration, new construction, demolition or relocation affecting it. A violation of any provision of Chapter 31 is a municipal infraction punishable by $500 for a first violation and $750 for each repeat violation under Sec. 31.18.