Brookhaven, NY Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)

Under Brookhaven Code §§ 85-633 through 85-641, the Town Board finds that buildings, structures and areas of historical, architectural and unique aesthetic value contribute to the Town's cultural heritage and directs the Commissioner to safeguard them through historic district and historic landmark designation. The Town Board appoints a Historic District Advisory Committee of citizen members, one per district, including at least one registered architect and the Town Historian ex officio, to advise the Commissioner before any designation or land-use referral (§ 85-635). To create a historic district, a petition signed by owners of at least 20% of the parcels or acreage to be designated (excluding school district property) must be filed before the Commissioner can recommend the district to the Town Board, which then holds a duly advertised public hearing (§ 85-636A).

An individual historic landmark is designated the same way, except the Town Board must give the property owner written notice of the hearing at least 10 days in advance (§ 85-636C). Religious institutions can be excluded from a district by a five-member Town Board vote, and school district property is excluded outright (§ 85-636B). Once designated, the Commissioner reviews every building, demolition, moving, sign and site plan application affecting the property for its effect on the area's special character (§ 85-637), and an owner aggrieved by the Commissioner's or Chief Building Inspector's decision may appeal to the Board of Appeals using the same procedure as a zoning appeal (§ 85-638).

Anyone who demolishes, alters or lets a designated property fall into disrepair without required approvals must restore it to its pre-violation condition, and unpermitted demolition additionally triggers a civil fine of up to the market value of the property (§ 85-158D, § 85-641B).