Annapolis, MD Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)
Key Facts
- Designating body
- City Council, on Commission recommendation
- Required before exterior work
- Certificate of approval
- Review scope
- Exterior features only
- Appeal
- Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County, 30 days
Summary
Annapolis lets the City Council designate landmarks of exceptional historic, cultural, archaeological or architectural significance, and any exterior work on one needs a Historic Preservation Commission certificate first.
Before a person may undertake the construction, alteration, reconstruction, rehabilitation, restoration, moving, or demolition of a designated landmark, site, or structure, or a site or structure within a designated historic district ... the person, individual, firm, or corporation proposing to make the construction or change shall file an application for a certificate of approval with the Commission for permission to construct, alter, rehabilitate, restore, reconstruct, move, or demolish the landmark, site, or structure.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 2025 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Once the City Council designates a site or structure a landmark under Chapter 21.56, an owner cannot construct, alter, reconstruct, rehabilitate, restore, move, or demolish it, or make any exterior change visible from a public way, without first filing an application and obtaining a certificate of approval from the Historic Preservation Commission. The Commission reviews only exterior features, judges landmark applications strictly, and can reject demolition or alteration of an unusually important landmark unless it finds retention would cause undue financial hardship or block a major City benefit.
Violations & Fines
Working without a certificate, ignoring a Commission decision, or violating a final notice is a municipal infraction; each day the violation continues is a separate offense, and the City Attorney can seek an injunction to stop or reverse the work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I alter a designated Annapolis landmark without approval?
Who can designate a landmark in Annapolis?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Annapolis
Compare Annapolis to another location·View the Maryland historic preservation overview
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