Historic Preservation
The Historic Preservation Program works to protect and celebrate El Paso’s historic buildings, neighborhoods, landmarks, and cultural heritage. Through collaboration with property owners, community members, the Historic Landmark Commission, and City departments, the program helps preserve the places that tell El Paso’s story while supporting their continued use and evolution.
The program provides guidance and resources for the appropriate care, rehabilitation, and improvement of historic properties and reviews proposed exterior changes to locally designated landmarks and properties within the City’s historic districts. By balancing preservation with the needs of today’s community, the program helps ensure that El Paso’s historic character remains an important part of the city’s future.
Historic Properties
El Paso is home to nine locally designated historic districts, two historic districts listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and individual historic sites throughout the city that are also listed in the National Register.
Is my property historically designated?
To determine whether your property is located within one of El Paso’s nine locally designated historic districts, use the interactive map or explore the individual historic district maps below.
Historic Review
Properties designated as historic landmarks or with an H-overlay may require review by the City before exterior work, alterations, new construction, demolition, or other changes take place. Depending on the type and scope of the proposed work, the project may be reviewed administratively by the Historic Preservation Officer or may require review by the Historic Landmark Commission (HLC).
Types of Historic Review
Administrative Review
Certain projects may be approved through administrative approval by the Historic Preservation Officer (HPO). Administrative review applies to specific types of work that meet the applicable design guidelines.
Work that may qualify for administrative review includes:
Landscaping including vegetation, irrigation, and xeriscaping
New fencing
Wrought iron security coverings for windows and doors
Certain accessibility ramps
Certain Skylights and air-conditioning units
Commercial and residential signs
Routine maintenance, including painting, re-roofing, and repairs
Replacement windows similar to the original
Certain small accessory structures
Outdoor playground equipment
Exterior painting of previously painted surfaces, excluding brick or stone
Outdoor and security lighting
Certain minor alterations on non-character-defining facades that are not visible from the street.
Historic District Guidelines
Certificate of appropriateness
Projects that are not eligible for administrative review require review by the Historic Landmark Commission (HLC).
The HLC considers whether the proposed work would adversely affect significant architectural or historic features and whether the proposal is appropriate and consistent with the purposes of the City's historic preservation regulations. The Commission may approve or deny an application, and approved projects may include conditions or modifications.
Certificate of Demolition
Demolition or removal of all or part of a designated historic landmark or H-overlay property requires a separate application and review by the Historic Landmark Commission.
In reviewing a demolition or removal request, the HLC considers factors including the historic value of the property, its condition, the cost and feasibility of restoration or repair, the current and potential usefulness of the building, neighborhood character, and the purpose of preserving the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions?
For additional or project-specific assistance, contact us at HistoricPreservation@ElPasoTexas.Gov
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No. Many projects may qualify for administrative review by Historic Preservation staff and do not require a public hearing before the Historic Landmark Commission (HLC). The appropriate type of review depends on the proposed work and whether it meets the applicable administrative review requirements and design guidelines.
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Projects that may qualify include certain landscaping improvements, fences, signs, replacement doors and windows, driveways and walkways, routine maintenance, exterior painting, lighting, small accessory structures, and certain minor exterior alterations. Eligibility depends on the specific property and proposed work.
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Projects that are not eligible for administrative review require HLC review. This may include larger alterations, additions, new construction, projects that do not meet applicable administrative review requirements, and other changes that require a Certificate of Appropriateness. Demolition and removal requests also require HLC review.
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When historic approval is required, it must be obtained before a building permit can be issued. Historic approval is separate from any building permit or other City approval that may also be required for the project.
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Requirements vary depending on the project, but applicants may need to provide a completed application, site plan, architectural drawings, photographs of existing conditions, proposed materials and colors, product information, and other documentation necessary to clearly show the proposed work.
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No. Work requiring historic approval should not begin until the appropriate administrative approval or Certificate of Appropriateness has been issued. The Municipal Code prohibits alterations to designated historic properties without the required approval.
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Historic Preservation staff can help identify which requirements apply to the project and whether revisions may allow the proposal to be approved administratively. If the project is not eligible for administrative review, an application may need to be considered by the Historic Landmark Commission. The HLC reviews projects using the applicable historic district design guidelines and other standards identified in the Municipal Code.
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Minor changes that remain substantially consistent with an approved Certificate of Appropriateness may be reviewed by the Historic Preservation Officer as a minor modification. More substantial changes may require a new application and another HLC review.
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A decision made through administrative review may be appealed to the Historic Landmark Commission. Certain HLC decisions may be appealed to City Council by filing a written appeal with the City Clerk within 15 days of the HLC's decision.
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Contact Historic Preservation staff by email at HistoricPreservation@ElPasoTexas.gov or visit us at the One-Stop-Shop.