Trenton, NJ Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing ordinance
- Code Ch. 315, Art. 15 (§ 315-15.1 to .14)
- Designated historic districts
- 9, incl. Mill Hill, State House District
- Notice before designation hearing
- At least 20 days, by mail and newspaper
- Planning Board referral window
- 60 days to report back
- Protest threshold forcing supermajority
- 20% of affected owners
- Enforcement for unpermitted work
- Stop-work order, § 315-15.12
Summary
Trenton designates historic districts and individual landmarks by ordinance under Chapter 315, Article 15. Once listed, an exterior change to a designated site or district building needs a Certificate of Appropriateness before any permit issues.
The following districts and buildings have been designated historic sites and districts to which the provisions governing historic preservation apply and, pending review and recommendation of the Planning Board of any modifications thereof, remain as designated and subject to the regulations and restrictions of this Article and Ordinance. Historic Districts: Berkeley Square Historic District, Ewing-Carroll Historic District, Fisher-Richey-Perdicaris Place Historic District, Greenwood-Hamilton Historic District, Hanover-Academy Historic District, Mill Hill Historic District, South Warren Historic District, State House Historic District, Yard Avenue Historic District (demolished). Historic Sites: Ackerman Building, Adams and Sickles Building, Cadwalader Park, Carver Center, Champale Office [...] Ellarslie Mansion [...] Old Barracks, Old City Hall, Old Eagle Tavern [...]
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4853025; v21 updated 2025-12-16; through 12-16-2025).
Full Breakdown
A. 1. 4 lists the nine designated Historic Districts, including Berkeley Square, Mill Hill, South Warren and the State House Historic District, plus dozens of individually designated Historic Sites such as Ellarslie Mansion, the Old Barracks, Cadwalader Park and the Old City Hall. 3: the Historic Preservation Commission or Planning Board nominates a site or district by majority vote, or an affected owner may petition for designation. The Commission must give owners at least 20 days' written notice before a public hearing, and public notice must run in the official newspaper at least 20 days before the hearing with the nomination report on file at the City Clerk's office.
After the hearing the City Council refers the Commission's report to the Planning Board, which has 60 days to respond, before the Council may approve, reject or modify the designation by ordinance. A. 40:55D-63. Designated properties are recorded with the Tax Assessor, the Municipal Clerk and the County Recorder of Deeds, and each may be marked with a plaque under the Commission's regulations. Delisting requires the same designation process in reverse.
Violations & Fines
Undertaking exterior work on a designated site or within a historic district without first obtaining a Certificate of Appropriateness, or failing to maintain a designated property, is a violation under § 315-15.12. Penalties follow Chapter 315, Article 17 (Enforcement), and the Enforcement Officer applies that article's procedures. If unauthorized construction or demolition is under way, the Construction Official must immediately issue a stop-work order under the Uniform Construction Code, N.J.S.A. 52:27D-119 et seq.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a building in Trenton become a designated historic site?
What historic districts already exist in Trenton?
Can I alter the exterior of a designated Trenton landmark without approval?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Trenton
Compare Trenton to another location·View the New Jersey historic preservation overview
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