Mesa, AZ Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)

Chapter 23 of Mesa's Zoning Ordinance creates two designation tools for the city's cultural and architectural heritage: the Historic District (HD) overlay and the Historic Landmark (HL) overlay. Section 11-23-2(A) establishes the Mesa Historic Property Register as the official record of every landmark, historic property and historic district designated under this chapter or listed on the National Register of Historic Places; the Historic Preservation Officer (HPO) maintains the register and a supplemental list of historically eligible and archaeologically sensitive properties at the Office of Historic Preservation, both open for public reference.

To be designated a Historic Landmark, Section 11-23-4(B) requires a building, structure or object to show exceptional historic, visual or architectural significance and meet at least one test: State Historic Preservation Office criteria, being 50 or more years old, or matching National Register individual-listing criteria such as association with a significant person or event, work of a master architect, or distinguishing architectural style. A Historic District needs either seven or more properties or four-plus adjoining parcels with 300 feet of street frontage, plus a qualifying historical element under Section 11-23-4(A).

Owners petition for HD or HL status through the same rezoning procedures used for zoning-map amendments (Chapters 74 and 76), and the Historic Preservation Board reviews and makes a recommendation before the Planning & Zoning Board acts, per Section 11-23-3. Once designated, Section 11-23-6 requires the Building Official to route any building permit application for construction, alteration, rehabilitation, sign work or maintenance to the HPO for a Certificate of Appropriateness; no permit may issue without that certificate, and issued permits must conform to it.