Wichita, KS Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)
Key Facts
- Designating body
- City Council, by ordinance
- Advisory board
- 7-member Historic Preservation Board
- Work permit trigger
- Certificate of Appropriateness required
- Penalty
- Up to $500 per day
Summary
Wichita's City Council can designate buildings, structures, sites, objects, including monuments, statuary, and fountains, and districts as Wichita Register Historic Properties after Historic Preservation Board review.
The City Council may designate certain historic resources in the city and define, amend and delineate the boundaries thereof through listing on the Wichita Register of Historic Places.. Such listing shall be in addition to any other zoning district designation established in Chapter 28 of this Code. The prefix "H" shall indicate the property's designation.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 35).
Full Breakdown
The seven-member Historic Preservation Board, appointed by the mayor, identifies and nominates historic resources for listing on the Wichita Register of Historic Places, including monuments, statuary, fountains, and other objects with cultural or historic value. Once City Council designates a resource by ordinance, any construction, alteration, moving, or demolition requires a Certificate of Appropriateness before Central Inspection issues a permit. Owners must also keep designated properties reasonably maintained, or the city can pursue a demolition-by-neglect order.
Violations & Fines
Altering, demolishing, moving, or defacing a designated historic property without an approved Certificate of Appropriateness is a separate offense each day, fined up to $500 per offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I demolish a Wichita Register Historic Property?
What can be designated a protected historic resource in Wichita?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Wichita
Compare Wichita to another location·View the Kansas historic preservation overview
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