Union County, NC Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)
Key Facts
- Who designates
- County Board of Commissioners, after HPC finding
- Standard
- Special historical/architectural/cultural significance
- Exterior work
- Needs certificate of appropriateness (§22-128)
- Demolition delay
- Up to 180 days (§22-164)
- Appeal path
- Union County Board of Adjustment (§22-139)
- Penalty
- General penalty: fine up to $500 (§1-6)
Summary
Unincorporated Union County can designate a property as a historic landmark once its Historic Preservation Commission finds special historical, architectural, prehistoric, or cultural significance under Section 22-105. Once designated, no exterior work, demolition, or move can happen without a certificate of appropriateness, and demolition can be delayed up to 180 days.
(a)Upon complying with the landmark designation procedures as set forth in this article, the Union County Board of Commissioners, the Monroe City Council, or the Indian Trail, Marshville, Stallings, Waxhaw, Weddington, or Wingate Town Councils may adopt and from time to time amend or repeal an ordinance designating one or more historic landmarks. No property shall be recommended for designation as a landmark unless it is deemed and found by the historic preservation commission to be of special significance in terms of its historical, prehistorical, architectural or cultural importance and to possess integrity of design, setting, workmanship, materials, feeling and/or association.
Full Breakdown
' Designation follows a procedure in Section 22-107: an investigation and report, referral to the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources for a 30-day comment period, an owner application, and a public hearing with mailed notice to adjoining owners. Once a property carries the designation, Section 22-128(a) requires a certificate of appropriateness before any exterior alteration, restoration, move, or demolition, and before the county will even issue a building permit for that work. If the commission approves demolition, Section 22-164 lets it delay the effective date up to 180 days to negotiate ways to preserve the structure, unless the owner can show extreme hardship. Appeals from the commission's decisions on a certificate go to the Union County Board of Adjustment under Section 22-139.
Violations & Fines
Chapter 22 carries no standalone criminal penalty section, so a violation, such as altering or demolishing a designated landmark without the Section 22-128(a) certificate of appropriateness, falls under the Code's general penalty in Section 1-6(a): a fine of up to $500.00 or up to 30 days' imprisonment, with each day of continuing violation a separate offense under Section 1-6(c).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who decides whether a property becomes a historic landmark in Union County?
Can I renovate a designated landmark's exterior without approval?
Can the county stop me from demolishing my landmark property?
What happens if I demolish a landmark without a certificate?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Union County
Compare Union County to another location·View the North Carolina historic preservation overview
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