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    City of Philadelphia Historical Commission - Home
     
    Designation
      - What is designation?
    - What are the criteria for designation?
    - What is the designation process?
    - What are the benefits of historic designation?





    Designated Properties
      Designation means the listing by the Historical Commission of a building, structure, site, object or district on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places. Cultural resources on the Philadelphia Register include neighborhoods, houses, churches, cemeteries, stores, bridges, street surfaces and horse watering troughs. They all have a recognizable place in the historical, cultural, architectural, archeological and educational values of the City, the State or the Nation. The Commission exercises a jurisdiction over any work that requires a building permit or that changes the appearance of designated properties.
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    Criteria
      The Commission’s ordinance, Section 14-2007(5) of the Philadelphia Code prescribes the criteria for listing on the Philadelphia Register. They include:
    1. Has significant character, interest or value as part of the development, heritage or cultural characteristics of the City, Commonwealth or Nation or is associated with the life of a person significant in the past; or
    2. Is associated with an event of importance to the history of the City, Commonwealth or Nation; or
    3. Reflects the environment in an era characterized by a distinctive architectural style; or
    4. Embodies distinguishing characteristics of an architectural style or engineering specimen; or
    5. Is the work of a designer, architect, landscape architect or designer, or engineer whose work has significantly influenced the historical, architectural, economic, social, or cultural development of the City, Commonwealth or Nation; or
    6. Contains elements of design, detail, materials or craftsmanship which represent a significant innovation; or
    7. Is part of or related to a square, park or other distinctive area which should be preserved according to an historic, cultural or architectural motif; or
    8. Owing to its unique location or singular physical characteristic, represents an established and familiar visual feature of the neighborhood, community or City; or
    9. Has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in pre-history or history; or
    10. Exemplifies the cultural, political, economic, social or historical heritage of the community.
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    Designation Process
     
    1. Anyone may nominate a building, structure, site, object or district to the Philadelphia Register.
    2. The nomination includes basic information, such as the location, type, condition, ownership and use of the property, photographs and two essays. The first essay describes the physical appearance of the property that enables the reader to form a mental image of the nominated resource. The second demonstrates the significance of the nominated resource and its meeting one or more of the criteria for listing on the Philadelphia Register. A district nomination also contains photographs, a descriptive inventory of every property in the district, and a map.
    3. The staff will review the nomination for completeness and accuracy and will work with the author to assure the presentation of a strong, convincing statement of significance. The staff will also provide notice to owners as required by the Historic Preservation Ordinance.
    4. The Committee on Historic Designation, a technical advisory committee of the Commission, will hold a public meeting to consider the nomination and to determine if the property meets one or more of the criteria set forth in the Historic Preservation Ordinance.
    5. For historic districts, the Committee on Historic Designation and the staff work with local community and historic preservation organizations, undertake a preliminary assessment of the proposed district’s significance, and conduct a survey to define its boundaries. The Committee will then review the nomination at a public meeting and agree upon a recommendation to the Commission.
    6. At its next monthly meeting, the Historical Commission will receive the nomination and the recommendation of the Committee and will hear public testimony on it. It will then vote whether to list the property on the Philadelphia Register.
      For historic districts, the Commission will hold several public meetings, including one in the evening in the neighborhood, to receive testimony. Interested persons may also present written comments to the Commission. After this series of meetings, the Commission will act on the nomination.
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    Designation Benefits
      Protection against inaccurate or unsympathetic alterations and unnecessary demolition offers a means to assure the preservation of the character of a resource or neighborhood. Historic designation serves as yet another tool for a community to retain its physical integrity. In Philadelphia and other cities, this has helped to enhance property values and to foster community pride. In addition, owners may request technical assistance from the Commission staff. Finally, for many, the ownership of a recognized cultural resource brings with it a satisfying sense of trusteeship of the past for the future. Owners of properties on the Philadelphia Register may apply for a Philadelphia Historical Commission plaque. Interested persons should contact the staff to request a plaque application.

        (See also sections 5 and 6 of the Historic Preservation Ordinance.)
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