Jefferson County, MO Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)
Key Facts
- Commission size
- 5 members appointed by County Executive
- HPC nomination report
- due within 45 calendar days
- Council decision deadline
- 60 days after hearing closes
- Interim permit freeze
- HPC responds within 14-44 days
- Appeal of denial
- Circuit Court within 30 days
- Maximum penalty
- $1,000 per day, 1 year jail
Summary
Jefferson County designates historic landmarks and districts by County Council ordinance after Historic Preservation Commission review. Once a property is nominated, no building, demolition, or alteration permit can issue until the HPC and Council act, and unauthorized changes to a designated landmark are a misdemeanor.
LANDMARK A property or structure designated as a "landmark" by ordinance of the County Council, pursuant to procedures prescribed herein, that is worthy of rehabilitation, restoration, interpretation and preservation because of its historic, architectural or archaeological significance to Jefferson County. ... Within sixty (60) calendar days following close of the public hearing, the County Council shall either reject the landmark nomination or designate the landmark by a formal ordinance. ... After approval by the County Council, the designation ordinance shall be recorded with the office of the Recorder of Deeds.
Full Breakdown
Article VI of the Unified Development Order creates a five-member Historic Preservation Commission (HPC), appointed by the County Executive with County Council consent, to identify and recommend landmarks and historic districts for protection. 1940). 1990). Owner consent is required unless the County Council or HPC initiates a rescission. Once the HPC meets to consider a nomination, interim control freezes the County from issuing any building, demolition, or alteration permit for that property until final disposition; the HPC must respond to a referred permit request within 14 days (extendable up to 30 more).
The County Council must reject or designate the landmark by formal ordinance within 60 calendar days of the close of its public hearing, and an approved designation ordinance is recorded with the Recorder of Deeds. 2020(E)). Designation may later be amended or rescinded through the same nomination procedure.
Violations & Fines
Undertaking an alteration, construction, demolition, or removal of a nominated or designated landmark or historic-district structure without a Determination of Appropriateness is unlawful. Section 400.2100(B) makes it a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 per day, up to one year imprisonment, or both, with each day of continuing violation a separate offense; the HPC or Director may also issue a stop-work order under Section 400.2020(B).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who decides if a property becomes a Jefferson County landmark?
Can I demolish or alter a property while its landmark nomination is pending?
What happens if I alter a designated landmark without approval?
Do I need the property owner's consent to nominate a landmark?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Jefferson County
Compare Jefferson County to another location·View the Missouri historic preservation overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.