Houston City Council has approved major changes to the Historic Preservation Ordinance, which now gives permanent protection to historic properties within Houston's 17 historic districts.  All existing and pending historic districts are immediately protected under the amended ordinance. There is also a new application process for the designation of future historic districts.

The amendments eliminate the 90-day waiver that allowed any house to be demolished, relocated or significantly altered after a 90-day waiting period. The amendments also give more guidelines for new construction in historic districts and the use of new building materials on historic homes.
Historic Commission approval is only required for demolition, relocations or alterations to exterior features that are visible from the street.

City Council has also adopted an ordinance that provides a way for property owners in existing historic districts and the pending Heights South district to petition for reconsideration of their designation. The results will help City Council decide whether to reaffirm a district's boundaries, modify the boundaries or dissolve the district, meaning the loss of all current protections.

Information about the new rules is available at http://www.houstontx.gov/planning/HistoricPres/hist_pres_amend.html. You may also contact the City of Houston Historic Preservation staff at 713-837-7701 or e-mailhistoricpreservation@houstontx.gov.

See maps of the current and pending districts at http://www.houstontx.gov/planning/HistoricPres/hist_dist.html.