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Livonia, MI Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Protected "object" examples
Statues, monuments, fountains, sundials
Age threshold for "historic"
At least 50 years old
Review body
7-member Historic Preservation Commission
Commission review deadline
Meets within 30 days
Civil fine
Up to $500 per violation
Appeal path
State board, then Circuit Court
Emergency moratorium
Up to 6 months, extendable

Summary

Livonia's Historic Preservation Commission Ordinance defines "object," including statues, monuments and fountains, as a protected historic resource once it is significant to the city's history, architecture or culture. Work on any designated historic resource requires a building permit reviewed by the seven-member commission and a certificate of appropriateness. Violators face civil fines up to $500 plus restoration costs.

18."Historic resource" means a publicly or privately owned building, structure, site, object, feature or open space that is significant in the history, architecture, archeology, engineering or culture of the city, the state, or the nation. It includes any site, building, structure or object previously designated as a district resource. ... 21."Object" means a structure of functional, esthetic, cultural, historical, architectural, archaeological or scientific value that may be, by nature or design, movable yet related to a specific setting or environment. Examples are statues, monuments, fountains, lighting fixtures, signs and sundials.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 64 | Zoning: Supplement 3).

Full Breakdown

020(21)). 020(14), (18)). 090(A)-(B)). 090(C)-(E)). 120). 110(D)). 140).

Violations & Fines

Anyone, including a corporation or other entity, who violates Chapter 2.56 by constructing, adding to, altering, repairing, moving, excavating or demolishing a historic resource, such as a designated monument or object, without the required certificate of appropriateness commits a civil violation punishable by a fine of up to $500. A court may separately order the violator to pay the cost of restoring or replicating the resource that was unlawfully changed or destroyed (§ 2.56.150).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Livonia's historic preservation ordinance cover monuments and statues?
Yes. Section 2.56.020(21) defines "object" to include statues, monuments, fountains, lighting fixtures, signs and sundials, and any such object becomes a protected historic resource once it meets the ordinance's significance and age criteria under § 2.56.020(14) and (18).
Do I need a permit to alter a designated historic monument in Livonia?
Yes. Under § 2.56.090, any work, including construction, alteration, repair, moving or demolition, on a designated historic resource requires a building permit application reviewed by the historic preservation commission, which must issue a certificate of appropriateness before work proceeds.
What happens if I damage a protected historic resource without approval?
Section 2.56.150 makes the unauthorized work a civil violation punishable by a fine of up to $500, and a court can additionally order the violator to pay the full cost of restoring or replicating the resource that was unlawfully altered or destroyed.
Can I appeal if the commission denies my permit application?
Yes. Section 2.56.090(G) lets a denied applicant appeal to the State Historic Preservation Review Board within 60 days of the decision, and § 2.56.120 allows a further appeal of that board's decision to the Wayne County Circuit Court.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Livonia

Fence Regulations: Height LimitsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Retaining WallsSome Restrictions

All Livonia rules

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