Louisburg, KS Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)

City Code Section 17-401 establishes the Louisburg Register of Historic Places, covering structures and sites formally designated as significant under Chapter 17. Designation starts with a nomination to the Historic Preservation Commission by a Commission member, the property owner, the City Council or another person or organization, though a nomination from anyone other than the owner is invalid without proof of owner consent under Section 17-402. City staff must certify owner consent within 30 days under Section 17-403, and the Commission must hold a public hearing within 45 days of certification, with notice published in the official City newspaper and mailed to owners at least 20 days beforehand under Section 17-404.

The Commission judges nominations against ten criteria covering historical, architectural and cultural significance, then forwards a recommendation to the Governing Body, which designates by ordinance or rejects it with reasons under Section 17-405; a designation ordinance under Section 17-406 fixes the protected architectural features, height, setbacks and sign and parking rules for the property. Section 17-407 freezes any building permit for alteration, demolition or removal of a nominated property from the date a complete, owner-consented nomination is received until final action, capped at 180 days.

Once a property is designated, Section 17-501 requires a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Commission before any demolition, alteration or construction affecting significant exterior features, and denied nominations cannot be renominated for 12 months under Section 17-408.