Martin County, FL Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)

Martin County handles landmark and monument recognition in Division 13 of Article 4 of its Land Development Regulations. The Historic Preservation Board (HPB) has nine members appointed by the Board of County Commissioners, all county residents: four designated seats (an architect, a general contractor, a realtor and a person with Martin County history knowledge) and five at-large seats, each on a four-year term. Five members make a quorum, the board meets at least quarterly, and its agenda goes on the County website at least 24 hours before a meeting. Of the 17 duties in § 4.582.A, item 3 is approving historical markers and issuing certificates of designation. The code defines a historic marker as an official marker whose size, design, wording and location the HPB has approved and which complies with the state historic marker program specifications.

A site qualifies under § 4.583 when it is significant in the history, architecture, archeology or culture of Martin County, ties to significant people or events, embodies a distinctive style or method of construction, has yielded or is likely to yield information about history or prehistory, or is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Cemeteries, birthplaces, religious properties, moved structures, commemorative properties and anything that gained significance within the last 50 years are screened out unless they fit a listed exception.

The process starts with a petition from the property owner, or from a majority of owners for a district. It must include the recorded deed, an explanation of how the site meets § 4.583, the master site file if one exists, a location map and a site plan. Within 30 days the HPB either directs staff to begin or denies the petition. Staff then has 60 days to deliver an investigation and designation report. A public hearing follows no sooner than 15 days and no later than 60 days after that report, with newspaper notice at least 15 days ahead. The HPB then approves, approves with modifications or denies by resolution, recorded in the public records and shown in the Property Appraiser's records. If the HPB itself proposes designating private property, the owner can accept or reject it.

Under § 4.585.E a designated site or district can receive a plaque prepared by the HPB in coordination with the owner. The plaque is recognition only: putting it up or taking it down has no effect on the designation.