Kendall County, IL Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)

The Preservation Commission or any person may propose a landmark or historic district for designation in unincorporated Kendall County by filing a nomination form with the County Planning, Building and Zoning Department (Kendall County Code Section 20-58(a)(1)). The application must include a legal description, photographs, a written statement of significance, and owner notification. A $500 application fee is due at submittal under Section 20-73. The Preservation Commission investigates and, within thirty days, issues an initial report on whether the property meets one or more of thirteen designation criteria under Section 20-59(a), covering cultural, architectural, historical and archaeological significance.

After a public hearing under Sections 20-61 and 20-62, the Commission recommends designation to the County Board by resolution. The County Board must act within ninety days of receiving the recommendation and may designate the landmark by ordinance, send the matter back to the Commission, or reject the nomination outright (Section 20-64). If the property owner objects, County Board approval requires a super-majority vote of at least three-fourths of the full Board (Section 20-63(b)). Once designated, no significant exterior alteration, construction, demolition or removal may occur without a certificate of appropriateness from the Preservation Commission, and the Planning, Building and Zoning Department will not issue a building or demolition permit until that certificate is granted (Section 20-106).

A designation ordinance is recorded against the property by the Recorder of Deeds, and a designated landmark may be marked with a plaque at the owner's expense (Sections 20-66, 20-70).