Waukesha, WI Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)

Section 28.04 gives the Landmarks Commission, created under Section 28.03, authority to designate a landmark, landmark site, or historic district if it meets one of four criteria: it exemplifies the city's, state's, or nation's broad cultural, political, natural, economic, or social history, it's tied to historic people or events, it embodies a distinguishing architectural style, or it represents notable work by a master builder or architect. The Commission applies the U.S. Secretary of the Interior's standards at 36 CFR Part 67 as its operating guideline. Designation isn't final until the Common Council approves it, after a public hearing with at least 20 days' notice to property owners within 200 feet.

Once a property carries the designation, Section 28.05 requires a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Commission before an owner can reconstruct, alter, or demolish any exterior part of the structure, or before the Building Inspector can issue a related permit. The Commission has 45 days to decide a complete application, weighing whether the work would harm an exterior feature, whether it follows the Commission's published Design Guidelines, and, for demolition requests, whether the loss would harm the public interest. Routine repainting of already-painted surfaces and minor site work don't need a Certificate. A denied applicant can appeal to the Common Council within 30 days of the written decision.