Historic Preservation Updates

Related to Architectural and Demolition Guidelines: 


Guiding this process is The City of St. Augustine Historic Preservation Element of the Comprehensive Plan which includes the following goals:

  • Preserve and protect the historic and authentic character of St. Augustine to minimize the demolition of historic buildings and structures
  • Preserve and enhance the authentic features of St. Augustine's heritage and scale of the built environment in the distinctive neighborhoods, districts, structures, buildings, and vistas to strengthen St. Augustine's ability to convey the heritage of the city's diversity and development patterns

Specific objectives provide direction to revise the Historic Architectural Review Board ordinance with respect to definitions and demolition review thresholds and to revise the Architectural Guidelines for Historic Preservation (AGHP) to include changes in materials, technologies, staff approval guidelines, and provide property owners an expectation of what will and will not be approved by using more illustrations and descriptions that can be easily applied.  The 2018 Historic Preservation Master Plan inspired the 2020 Historic Preservation Element of the adopted 2040 Comprehensive Plan and is also a resource for considering potential changes to the architectural and demolition review process.

Scroll Down for document links, an interactive map, and a listing of all related public meetings and workshops with links to meeting packets and on-demand video recordings.

Will your property be affected by these changes?

The answer is YES if you own a building that meets one or more of the following criteria:

If you own a building that is 50 years old or older that DOES NOT MEET the above criteria, the current proposal will reduce regulations on construction work related to partial demolition.  The current proposed ordinance will remove the existing requirement that mandates HARB approval of partial demolition for those types of buildings.


There are no changes proposed for the review process required for FULL demolition of buildings 50 years old or older that are located throughout the city regardless of zoning district.  These will still require review and approval for proposed full demolition by the HARB.

Map your property or check out lists below

Map of National Register Historic Districts

This map shows the location of the seven National Register Historic Districts in the city limits.  The significant buildings within those districts represents about 25% of the city's building stock and is limited to 7% of the city's land mass.

Click here or the above map to access an interactive site allowing you to search for designated and contributing properties by searching by address, which meet the demolition/design review criteria in the proposed Partial Demolition ordinance.  Exterior alterations to properties and buildings located within Historic Preservation Zoning Districts (HP-1 to HP-5) are reviewed according to  the Architectural Guidelines for Historic Preservation (AGHP).

See lists of designated historic properties to the left.

Public Meetings and Workshops 

The Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB) and Planning & Zoning Board (PZB) discussed these proposed changes extensively before recommending to the City Commission.  Property owners and businesses in a local Historic Preservation Zoning District and those who own or manage an older or historic building throughout the city have been encouraged to contribute to the effort.

 *Meetings Related to Proposed Partial Demolition Ordinance and  Design Review *

Previous meetings held for discussion regarding HARB design review tied to partial demolition approvals for areas outside HP zoning districts for approximately 1,600 historic buildings in the city limits.
Date Entity Link Video Stream
August 28, 2023 City Commission - 2nd Reading  Meeting Packet
(See Item 8.A.1)		 Watch Live Stream During Meeting
or On Demand after meeting
July 10, 2023 City Commission - 1st Reading Meeting Packet
(See Item 9(A)3)		 Video
June 27, 2023 PZB Special Meeting Meeting Packet Video
August 2, 2022 PZB Meeting Packet Video
November 2, 2021 PZB Meeting Packet Video
October 5, 2021  PZB Meeting Packet Video
September 30, 2021 Webinar via Zoom

 Webinar Link (expired) No one attended, see links below
for content
September 28, 2021 Preservation Forum, Part Two:
Public Workshop

 See video link Video
September 11, 2021 Preservation Forum, Part One:
Public Workshop at
Galimore Center
 See video link Video
August 25, 2021 Neighborhood Council
(Online workshop)		 See video Link  Video link (opens YouTube)
June 16, 2021 PZB Workshop Meeting Packet Video
June 1, 2021 PZB  Meeting Packet Video
February 18, 2021 HARB Meeting Packet Video
November 19, 2020 HARB Meeting Packet Video
October 15, 2020 HARB Meeting Packet Video
February 20, 2020 HARB Meeting Packet Video
January 16, 2020 HARB Meeting Packet Video

Waterworks Opens in new windowVisit an interactive ArcGIS StoryMap to learn more about proposed changes that include more definitions of partial demolition throughout the city and associated design review by HARB.

Please note that this StoryMap was created in 2021 during earlier discussions of the proposed ordinance and may not reflect the final adopted ordinance requirements fully

Preserving the Historic Building Envelope

References for more information:

  1. 2018 Historic Preservation Master Plan (PDF)
  2. Architectural Guidelines for Historic Preservation (PDF)
  3. Architectural Guidelines for Historic Preservation 1984
  4. Comprehensive Plan HP Element
  5. Law: Florida's Local Historic Preservation Ordinances, 1998
  6. Law: Summary of Florida Historic Preservation Law June 2008
  7. NAPC Publication: The Alliance Review: Alternative Materials
  8. National Park Service: The Secretary of the Interior's Standards, 2017
  9. Preservation Forum: NAPC Trainer Bios 2021
  10. Model Guidelines Florida (ca. 1995)
  11. Sample Design Guidelines: Delray Beach
  12. Sample Design Guidelines: Fernandina Beach
  13. Sample Design Guidelines: St. Petersburg Beach