Saint Paul, MN Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)

Under Legislative Code Sec. 05, the Heritage Preservation Commission evaluates any proposed area, place, building or structure against seven criteria: historic or cultural value, association with a significant event or person, distinguishing architectural or engineering character, the work of a notable architect or builder, or a unique visual feature of a neighborhood. Before recommending designation, the commission must hold a public hearing with notice published at least 20 days out and mailed to every owner within 100 feet of the proposed boundary; the City Council holds a second public hearing under the same 20-day notice rule before it designates a site by ordinance.

A copy of the proposed designation and preservation program goes to the state historical society per Minn. 193, Subd. 6. Once a site is designated, Sec. 06 requires commission approval before the city building official can issue a permit to remodel or repair in a way that changes the exterior, construct, move, or demolish a structure inside the site; a 60-day silence by the commission counts as approval. Denials can be appealed to the City Council within 14 days of the written order. The city clerk keeps the designation records, and Sec. 09 requires those records to be recorded with the Ramsey County recorder or registrar of titles and forwarded to the city building official.