Greenville, NC Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)

S. Chapter 160D, Article 9, Part 4, serves as both the city's historic district commission and its historic landmarks commission. Section 9-7-12(B) authorizes the Commission to recommend to the City Council that individual structures, buildings, sites, areas or objects be designated by ordinance as a "historic landmark," in addition to recommending historic district boundaries; only the City Council can actually create the designation by ordinance, per the definitions in Section 9-7-2. Once a landmark or district exists, Section 9-7-13(A)(1) requires a certificate of appropriateness before any exterior portion of a building or structure, including masonry walls, fences, light fixtures, steps, pavement, above-ground utility structures or outdoor advertising signs, can be erected, altered, restored, moved or demolished, and that certificate must be obtained even when no separate building permit is required.

The Commission's other powers under Section 9-7-12 include inventorying landmarks of historical, architectural or cultural significance, recommending city acquisition of a landmark property, conducting educational programs, and reviewing proposals for alteration, demolition or new construction within a designated district or on a designated property. Applications for a certificate of appropriateness go to the Director of Planning and Development Services under Section 9-7-14, and the certificate lapses if work stalls for six months, per Section 9-7-13(A)(3). The Zoning Enforcement Officer administers the chapter under Section 9-7-22, with appeals to the Board of Adjustment.