Columbus, GA Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)
Key Facts
- Board size
- 11 members, Council-appointed
- Protects
- Places, sites, structures, works of art
- Designation by
- Council ordinance, after public hearing
- Review deadline
- 45 days (90 for demolition)
- Failure to act
- Deemed approval
Summary
Columbus, Georgia's Board of Historic and Architectural Review protects places, districts, sites, buildings, structures and works of art with historical, cultural or aesthetic value through Council designation and mandatory appropriateness review.
the Mayor and Council of Columbus, Georgia hereby declares it to be the purpose and intent of this Article to establish a uniform procedure for use in providing for the protection, enhancement, perpetuation, and use of places, districts, sites, buildings, structures, and works of art having a special historical, cultural, or aesthetic interest or value, in accordance with the provisions of this Article.B.Creation. There is hereby created "Consolidated Government of Columbus Board of Historic and Architectural Review". The Board shall be considered a part of the planning functions of the City of Columbus, and work directly with the Planning Division.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 75).
Full Breakdown
UDO Article 3 creates the 'Consolidated Government of Columbus Board of Historic and Architectural Review,' an eleven-member board, to carry out a designation program covering not just buildings but any place, district, site, structure or work of art of special historical, cultural or aesthetic interest. The Council designates historic properties and districts by ordinance after a Board recommendation and public hearing. Once designated, owners must obtain a certificate of appropriateness from the Board before any material change in appearance, new construction, demolition, or relocation affecting the designated resource.
Violations & Fines
A rejected certificate of appropriateness is binding on the Building Official: no building permit may issue for the material change, demolition, or relocation covered by the application until it is approved, modified and approved, or overturned on appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Columbus, Georgia cultural monument have to be a building?
Who decides if a site becomes a protected cultural landmark?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Columbus
Compare Columbus to another location·View the Georgia historic preservation overview
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