Weston, FL Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)

The City Commission created the historic preservation program under City Code § 134.01 to protect and perpetuate buildings, structures, sites, and districts of historical, cultural, archaeological, paleontological, aesthetic, and architectural merit. Under § 134.03, a site, building, structure, object, or district already listed in the National Register of Historic Places may be designated outright. A resource not on the National Register may be designated only if it conveys an overall sense of past time and place by possessing at least three attributes of integrity (location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, association) and meets one of six criteria, including association with significant events or persons, distinctive architectural characteristics, or the likelihood of yielding important historical or prehistoric information.

A resource generally must be at least 50 years old unless it has exceptional importance. Designation may be initiated by the property owner or by the City Commission on its own motion (§ 134.03(B)(1)); the City Manager reviews the application for completeness, and the City Commission holds a public hearing and votes, with a simple majority sufficing if the owner consents. Designation itself is accomplished by City Commission resolution and recorded in the Broward County public records (§ 134.04). Once designated, § 134.05 requires a COA before any exterior alteration, new construction, relocation, demolition, land disturbance, or development activity affecting the resource; ordinary repairs that do not change exterior appearance or historically significant elements are exempt.

A COA is a prerequisite in addition to, not a substitute for, any other required state or local permit. Owners must also maintain the resource under § 134.09, keeping exterior portions structurally sound and weathertight and preserving any archaeological materials on site.