Auburn, AL Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)

The commission first surveys local historic resources, then recommends districts or individual properties to the city council. Before recommending, it must prepare a report with a physical description, a statement of historical, cultural, architectural or aesthetic significance, a boundary map classifying each property as contributing or non-contributing, and design standards for development. A historic district must represent a period or style of architecture, a significant aspect of local history, or a vernacular character distinctive to Auburn; a historic property must be an outstanding or rare architectural example or tied to a historically significant event or person.

Any owner, historical society or neighborhood association may apply to the commission for designation. The commission must hold a public hearing, publish notice in the local paper for three consecutive issues, and mail notice to every owner and occupant between 10 and 20 days before the hearing. Within 15 days of the hearing, the commission issues a resolution to affirm, modify or withdraw the proposed designation, and the city council may adopt it as proposed, amend it, or reject it. Once adopted, owners and occupants get written notice within 30 days, sent to the address on the Lee County tax roll, informing them a certificate of appropriateness is required before any material change in appearance, including reconstruction, demolition, relocation, excavation for construction, or altering fences, steps and pavement.