Peoria, IL Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)
Key Facts
- Sections
- City of Peoria Code §§ 16-2, 16-8, 16-9, 16-86
- District designation fee
- $200.00
- Landmark designation fee
- $50.00 (waived, neighborhood assoc.)
- Certificate of appropriateness fee
- $25.00 per application
- First-offense fine
- $150.00
- Repeat-offense fine
- Up to $500.00, escalating
- Reviewing body
- Historic Preservation Commission
Summary
Peoria's Historic Preservation Commission can designate any property that reflects the community's historical, cultural, artistic, social or ethnic heritage as a local landmark or historic district, and once designated, the owner must obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness before any exterior alteration, addition or demolition.
...to protect and encourage the continued utilization of areas, districts, places, buildings, structures, works of art and other similar objects within the city eligible for designation by ordinance as landmarks and historic districts for the following purposes: (1)To designate, preserve, enhance and perpetuate those properties and improvements which reflect the historical, cultural, artistic, social, ethnic or other heritage of the nation, state or community; or which may be representative of an architectural or engineering type inherently valuable for the study of a style, period, craftsmanship, method of construction or use of indigenous materials....The commission, by a majority vote of all members, or any person may apply for a landmark or historical district designation for property and improvements located within the corporate limits of the city....Local historic district designation .....$200.00(2)Local historic landmark designation .....50.00....shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not less than $150.00 nor more than $500.00.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 119).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 16, Article I, Sec. ). Sec. 16-86(a) opens the application process to the Historic Preservation Commission by majority vote or to any person, but the commission will only advance a landmark application once the property owner submits a signed letter of consent; a historic district needs consent from at least two-thirds of affected owners. Applicants must file with the director of planning and growth management, and a public hearing must be scheduled within 45 days, with certified-mail notice to the owner at least 15 days in advance and a published newspaper notice.
Sec. 00 fee for each Certificate of Appropriateness. Under Sec. 16-61, once a property is designated, no alteration, interior construction affecting structural members, exterior construction, removal of significant landscaping or exterior demolition may occur without that certificate, reviewed administratively or, for major changes, by the commission at a public hearing under Sec. 16-63.
Violations & Fines
Sec. 16-8(a) makes unauthorized alteration or demolition of a designated property, or violation of the maintenance duty in Sec. 16-66, a misdemeanor with an escalating fine schedule: $150.00 for a first offense, $250.00 for a second offense, and $500.00 for a third or subsequent offense. Each day the violation continues after notice is a separate offense, and the city may also seek an injunction to stop unauthorized work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a Peoria property eligible for cultural landmark status?
Who can apply to have a property designated a local landmark?
What happens if I alter a designated landmark without approval?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Peoria
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