Landmark Designation

In considering the designation of any area, place, building, structure, work of art of similar object in the City as a landmark or landmark district, the Landmarks Commission uses set criteria to provide a determination that the building or site or district. 

• A landmark means any improvement which has special character or special historical or aesthetic value as part of the development, heritage or cultural characteristics of the City, State, or the United States and which has been designated as a landmark pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 161. However, "landmark" may also include the improvement parcel, or part thereof, on which a landmark is situated.
• A district means any area designated by the Commission as an area containing any physical features or improvements or both which are of historical, social, cultural, architectural or aesthetic significance to the City of Cleveland, State of Ohio, or the United States, and cause such area to constitute a distinctive section of the City of Cleveland.

The designation of a Cleveland Landmark or Historic District is different than the listing of a property or district on the National Register of Historic Places. A property or site can be designated/listed on both. 

To determine if a building, home, or site meets the significance to be designated, the Landmarks Commission uses the Nomination Criteria found here:

• The historic property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
   
• The historic property is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places
   
• Its character, interest or value is part of the development, heritage or cultural characteristics of the City, State or the United States
   
• Its location is a site of a significant historic event
   
• Its identification is with a person who significantly contributed to the culture and development of the City
   
• The historic property exemplifies the cultural, economic, social or historic heritage of the City
   
• The historic property is identified with the work of a master building, designer, architect, engineer or landscape architect whose work has influenced the development of the area, community, state or nation
   
• The historic property embodies elements of architectural design, detail, materials, or craftsmanship which represent a significant architectural innovation
   
• The historic property relates to other distinctive areas which are eligible for preservation activities, based on a historic, cultural, or architectural motif
   
• The historic property’s location or its singular physical characteristics represent the establishment or are a familiar visual feature of a neighborhood, community or City
   

Not all of the criteria must be met to be designated as a Landmark, but the building, home, or site should have a strong case for at least more than one. 

Any person can propose a property, site, object, or potential district for designation as a
Cleveland Landmark or Historic District. The person can be a concerned citizen, member of the
general public, Cleveland City Council Member, or the Cleveland Landmarks Commission staff.

What will be needed: 

• A nomination form completed and sent to the Cleveland Landmarks Commission (CLC) staff.
• Consent and support from the Cleveland City Council Member that covers the Ward where the property is located. If the Councilmember is not in support of the nomination, the property will not be designated.
• Consent from the property owner (not required but recommended). If the property owner does not consent to the nomination, the CLC can hold a Public Hearing to hear feedback on the significance of the property or building to determine if the nomination should continue. 

CLC staff will help guide the nomination through the designation process and communication with the various City Departments required. Overall, the nomination to designation process may include the following steps: 

1. Additional research completed by CLC staff to further show significance of the building, home, or site
2. Presentation to the CLC for nomination (can be completed by CLC staff)
3. Public Hearing (only required for historic district nomination or for properties that do not have owner consent)
4. Legislation drafted by CLC staff and submitted to Cleveland City Council to be introduced to the City Record
5. Presentation to the City Planning Commission for approval (can be completed by CLC staff)
6. Presentation to the Development, Planning, and Sustainability Committee of Cleveland City Council for approval (can be completed by CLC staff)
7. Legislation is read and voted on by the full membership of Cleveland City Council
8. A copy of the legislation is sent to the property owner and recording completed with Cuyahoga County
9. Congrats! The Landmark owner, or owners of properties within the new historic district can apply at the CLC office for a plaque commemorating the designation

Properties that are designated Cleveland Landmarks or are located within designated Cleveland Historic Districts have all exterior changes reviewed by the Cleveland Landmarks Commission office and must receive a Certificate of Appropriateness before work can begin. 

To begin the process to designate your property as a Cleveland Landmark, please complete the Cleveland Landmarks Commission Nomination Form and submit it to the Landmarks Commission office either by mail or email. 

Cleveland Landmarks Commission Nomination Form

Cleveland Landmarks Commission Nomination Form - Fillable