Landmarks Design Review

If the home, building, or property is located in a designated Cleveland historic district or the parcel of a designated Cleveland Landmark, changes to the exterior and site are reviewed by the Landmarks Commission office.

The GIS Interactive Map can be used to find out if a property is locally designated.

Staff of the Landmarks Commission sets the agenda for meetings of each design review advisory committee (DRAC) and works with applicants to prepare for the meeting. Each committee has a standing schedule of meeting dates for review of proposed projects. Once a project has completed review by the DRAC, it may need be scheduled for review with the Landmarks Commission before a Certificate of Appropriateness can be issued.

2026 Landmarks Commission and DRAC Schedule

Design Review Advisory Committees

In order to administer the Landmarks Commission design review process, the City has been divided into five regions. The regions cover all of the designated local historic districts and designated Cleveland Landmarks within the borders.

A Design Review Advisory Committee (DRAC), made up of design and preservation professionals and representatives of the local community, has been established for each of the five regions. The committees assist the Commission in the review of the plans and designs submitted to the Commission pursuant to Chapter 161 of the Codified Ordinances and provide recommendations to the Landmarks Commission on the issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness.

Design Review Advisory Committee Page Links:

Greater Cuyahoga Valley Historic DRAC

Greater Downtown Historic DRAC

Greater Northeast Historic DRAC

Historic Ohio City DRAC

Historic West Cleveland DRAC

Landmarks Design Review Overview

Not every exterior change to a building will go through the Landmarks Commission design review process. The level of review required by the Landmarks Commission office will depend on the scope of work. Each project is reviewed on a case-by-case basis using the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation as outlined in Chapter 161. Guidelines have also been developed to supplement the Standards for commonly reviewed projects.

Landmarks Commission Design Standards and Guidelines

Larger projects may involve an initial meeting with Landmarks Staff, the Neighborhood Planner, and the applicant. Pre-review meetings or initial consultations should be scheduled with Landmarks Staff to review the project on a conceptual level. Some projects may also benefit from public engagement facilitated by the local CDC.

Depending on the scope of the project, a site visit with Landmarks Staff will be required before the project is presented to the design review advisory committee (DRAC). A site visit with Landmarks Staff is a requirement for projects involving demolition of a building in a designated historic district or Cleveland landmark.

Project review to receive a Certificate of Appropriateness begins with a Project Record applied for with the Department of Building and Housing. Applicants should also email the Landmarks Commission office at landmarks@clevelandohio.gov with a scope of work or design review submission to begin the conversation on potential project review steps and what should be provided for a complete review.

Every project is reviewed on a case-by-case basis and an approval or the issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Landmarks Commission does not mean that the review is complete. Approvals from other City departments and permit review through the Department of Building and Housing will still be needed.

General Staff/Administrative Review

Exterior work that clearly meets the outlined Standards and Guidelines
Minor maintenance and repair using the same materials
Minor work not visible from the public right of way
Garage, shed, or fence construction not visible from the public right of way

Design Review

Exterior work that does not clearly meet the Standards and Guidelines
Changes to historic materials and features
Additions and new construction
Demolition of main structures or structures visible from the public right of way
Sign installation or replacement

Review Not Needed

Most interior work does not need to have additional review by the Landmarks Commission office.
Changes or replacements to windows and egress doors are not considered interior work and will need to be reviewed by the Landmarks Commission office.
For change of use or establishing use permit applications, the Landmarks Commission office may reach out to confirm that no exterior changes are planned for the building before the permit is issued.