Thurston County, WA Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)

040(A), a building, structure, object, site or district qualifies for the county historic register if it has significant character, interest or value tied to the development, heritage or cultural characteristics of the county, state or nation, has integrity of location, is at least fifty years old (or younger with exceptional importance), and meets at least one of twelve listed categories, including association with significant historical events, distinctive architectural style, connection to an important architect or designer, or archaeological information value. 040(B) can come from any person or the historic commission itself, must carry the property owner's signature (or a majority of owners for a district), and are decided at a public hearing after at least ten days' notice published in a county newspaper and posted on the property.

If the commission finds the criteria met, the property is recorded on official zoning records with an 'HR' designation, which does not change the underlying zoning. 050 requires historic commission review before any new construction, alteration, remodeling, removal or demolition affecting a register property's historically significant exterior features, though compliance with the commission's recommendations is voluntary rather than mandatory. 040(C)(2). 070.