Auburn, WA Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)
Key Facts
- Landmarks body
- King County landmarks and heritage commission (ACC 15.76.020)
- Special member term
- 3 years, max 2 consecutive terms
- Appointing authority
- Mayor, confirmed by city council
- Appeal deadline
- 35 calendar days to hearing examiner
- Key incorporated rule
- KCC 20.62.080 certificate of appropriateness
Summary
Auburn has no landmarks commission of its own; instead ACC 15.76.020 designates the King County landmarks and heritage commission to act as the city's landmarks body, with an Auburn-appointed special member reviewing local designation and appropriateness decisions.
A. The King County landmarks and heritage commission established pursuant to King County Code (KCC), Chapter 20.62, is hereby designated and empowered to act as the landmarks commission for the city pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
B. The special member of the King County landmarks and heritage commission provided for in KCC 20.62.030 shall be appointed by the mayor, subject to confirmation of the city council. Such special member shall be an Auburn resident who has a demonstrated interest in historic preservation. Such appointment shall be made for a three-year term.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 7023, passed July 6, 2026).
Full Breakdown
76 ACC sets Auburn's framework for designating and protecting historic landmarks, sites, districts, structures and objects reflecting the city's, county's, state's and nation's cultural, aesthetic, and architectural heritage. 62, to act as Auburn's landmarks commission. 020(B) requires the mayor, subject to city council confirmation, to appoint a special member to that commission who must be an Auburn resident with a demonstrated interest in historic preservation, serving a three-year term and limited to two consecutive terms; special members serve without compensation. 020(C) bars the commission from holding any required public hearing on an Auburn property until its rules and procedures have been filed with the city clerk.
140 special valuation for historic properties, substituting 'Auburn' for 'King County' throughout. 040(A), with the appeal filed with the planning director and accompanied by a statement of grounds.
Violations & Fines
Proceeding with exterior alteration, relocation, or demolition of a designated landmark without the required certificate of appropriateness exposes an owner to the penalty adopted from KCC 20.62.130, incorporated into Auburn's code by ACC 15.76.030(G). Commission decisions, including denial of a certificate, are enforced through the planning director and are appealable to the hearing examiner within 35 days under ACC 15.76.040.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Auburn have its own historic landmarks commission?
How long is the special member's term on the landmarks commission?
How does someone appeal an Auburn landmark designation decision?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Auburn
Compare Auburn to another location·View the Washington historic preservation overview
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Historic-Cultural Monuments in Nearby Cities
How other cities in King County handle historic-cultural monuments.