Standards & Reviews

Cultural Resources Reviews

Building and CRO Permit Review

The Cultural Resources Office reviews approximately 2000 permits each year for exterior alterations in City Historic Districts.  It also reviews proposed changes to City Landmarks, public parks and buildings, and encroachments in the public right-of-way.
Permit Review

Demolition Review

The Office is responsible for the review of proposed demolitions or Building Division Condemnations in those Wards that have been established as Preservation Review Districts and of properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places, individually or as contributing resources within a Historic District.  Demolitions are reviewed under specific weighted criteria detailed in the ordinance.
Preservation Review Districts

Solar Panel Installation Policy

On February 25, 2013 the Preservation Board adopted guidance for the installation of solar panels in local historic districts.  This Solar Panel Installation Policy supports the two approaches to solar panel installations in the Standards adopted by ordinance.  Some districts have a "no visibility required" standard and others have a "visual compatibility required" standard.  The Policy statement identifies which standard each district has and provides guidance for meeting the standards.  Reviewing the Policy is a critical first step in any solar panel installation project planning and application.

The Guide for the Applicant includes additional information for the applicant.
Solar Panel Installation Policy
Guide for the Applicant

Section 106 Review

Under a Programmatic Agreement among the Housing and Urban Development Agency (HUD), the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), the Federal Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) and the City of St. Louis, the office performs many of the duties of the SHPO under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Section 106 review evaluates undertakings financed with Federal funds to determine if the undertaking will have an adverse effect on property listed or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. The Office must perform this review for every proposed demolition, new construction or rehabilitation funded by the City with Federal funds.
Section 106 Review