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

Under Sec. 21-627(A), the Commission can recommend landmark status if a property possesses special historic, aesthetic, political, economic or social interest; is identified with historic personages; embodies a distinguishing architectural style; is the work of an influential designer; or represents an established, familiar visual feature of the neighborhood because of a unique location or physical characteristic. Sec. 21-627(B) lets a group of properties become a historic district on the same criteria, or where a majority of owners in the area agree, with boundaries filed by legal description and map in the City Clerk's Office.

Notice follows the same procedure used for rezoning applications under Sec. 21-146, and the Commission must hold a public hearing before recommending designation (Sec. 21-627(D)) before the Planning and Zoning Commission reviews it and the City Council makes the final call: approve, deny, modify, or remand for further review (Sec. 21-627(E)). Once designated, Sec. 21-628 bars anyone from altering a landmark's exterior, or changing signs, fences, sidewalks, steps or paving visible from a public street, without first securing a Certificate of Appropriateness or a Finding of Hardship from the Commission.

Sec. 21-630(F) directs the Commission to use the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation (1990 edition) when reviewing applications, and Sec. 21-633(B) separately bars letting a designated property fall into a serious state of disrepair, defined to include deteriorated walls, roofs, chimneys, stucco, waterproofing, or broken windows and doors.