Benton County, OR Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)
Key Facts
- Register created by
- BCC 89.205
- Administered by
- Historic Resources Commission (HRC)
- Minimum age to qualify
- 50 years
- Consent required since
- July 1, 2000
- Deed covenant term
- 20 years
- Demolition review deferral
- up to 150 days
Summary
Benton County protects cultural and historic sites through the Benton County Register of Historic Resources, created at BCC 89.205, and administered by the Historic Resources Commission. Altering or demolishing a listed structure needs a BCC 89.305 permit and Commission review, and the Commission can defer a demolition decision up to 150 days while it explores alternatives.
The Benton County Register of Historic Resources is hereby created and recognized as the official County list of property that possesses cultural and historic values worthy of preservation. The purpose of the Register is to provide additional protection and additional incentives to preserve significant historic structures. ... A permit is required for the exterior alteration, demolition or removal of any structure listed on the Benton County Register of Historic Resources, or any buildings, structures, objects, sites, or districts listed in the National Register of Historic Places, or within approved national register historic districts pursuant to the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (PL 89-665; 16 U.S.C. 470).
Full Breakdown
010 creates the Benton County Historic Resources Commission (HRC), which maintains the Benton County Cultural Resources Survey, reviews requests to add or remove properties from the county register, and decides demolition and exterior-alteration permits for listed structures. 205 establishes the register itself: the Benton County Register of Historic Resources is hereby created and recognized as the official County list of property that possesses cultural and historic values worthy of preservation, intended to add additional protection and additional incentives to preserve significant historic structures. 230, a site or structure must be at least 50 years old with identifiable integrity of location, design, or materials, and tied to significant events, notable people, distinctive construction methods, or surviving examples of a once-common building type.
215(2). 305 requires a permit for the exterior alteration, demolition or removal of any structure listed on the Benton County Register of Historic Resources, as well as National Register-listed properties and structures within approved national register historic districts, though routine cleaning, painting, and minor repairs that don't touch exterior materials are exempt. 330.
Violations & Fines
Altering or demolishing a structure on the Benton County Register of Historic Resources, or a National Register-listed structure, without the BCC 89.305 permit and required HRC review is enforced as a Development Code violation. Where an owner requests removal from the register, BCC 89.235(3) still blocks any demolition or alteration permit for the property for 120 days from that request.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Benton County list my property as historic without my consent?
What qualifies a building for the county's historic register?
Do I need a permit to remodel a listed historic building?
Can the county delay a demolition permit for a historic building?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Benton County
Compare Benton County to another location·View the Oregon historic preservation overview
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