Tigard, OR Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)

Chapter 18.755 of the Tigard Municipal Code protects historic and cultural resources in the City of Tigard, Oregon. Under § 18.755.020, the Historic Resource Overlay zone applies to historic sites and areas, cultural sites and areas, and landmarks. The chapter governs four activities: designating overlay zones, removing them, demolishing structures inside an overlay, and exterior alteration or new construction inside an overlay. The stated purposes in § 18.755.010 include perpetuating resources that reflect the city's cultural, social, economic, political and architectural history and implementing Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development Goal 5.

Section 18.755.030 prohibits exterior alteration of any structure, and construction of any new structure, in an overlay without approval. Demolition without approval is also prohibited. Ordinary maintenance or repair that does not change the design, material or outward appearance of an architectural feature is not prevented, and painting is excluded from what counts as exterior remodeling. If an alteration or demolition is approved, a condition must let the Washington County Museum obtain a pictorial and graphic history of the resource and artifacts it deems worthy of preservation.

Under § 18.755.040.A, a designation application goes through a Type III-PC procedure and is approved when any one criterion is met, such as reflecting the broad cultural or natural history of the community, state or nation, being identified with historic personages or important events, embodying the distinguishing characteristics of an architectural specimen, or being a notable work of a master builder, designer or architect. The age of a building is not sufficient in itself. Removal uses the same procedure and needs any one of four findings, including an unfair economic burden on the owner. Alterations, new structures and demolitions are processed as Type II applications.