Alteration review process

The process to get approval to alter or demolish a historic property can take many weeks.

Process

Getting started

Contact our office

We will:

  • Listen to your request
  • Identify which application(s) you need to submit
  • Set up a pre-application meeting, if needed
  • Review the application and review process with you
  • Guide you through the process

See historic preservation applications

Contact our office

 

Application review

City staff review the application

When we receive your application

  • We'll review it and email you within 15 days.
  • If your application is incomplete, we'll ask for more information.
  • If your Certificate of No Change application is complete, we'll email your approval.
  • If your Heritage Preservation application is complete, we'll schedule your item for public hearing.

Public hearings are required if you apply for

  • Certificate of Appropriateness for major alterations, such as:
    • New construction
    • Building additions
    • Major rehabilitation projects
  • Demolition of Historic Resource
  • Historic Variance

The Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) conducts the hearings.

Before the public hearing, we will

  • Send a notice to property owners within 350 feet of the project
  • Prepare a staff report with recommendations

 

Public hearing

HPC reviews and decides on your application

Members of the public can speak for or against the project.

After the hearing

  • If your application is approved, proceed to the final step.
  • Any member of the public can appeal the decision.

 

Appeal period

You have ten days to appeal a decision

If you disagree with the HPC's decision, you can file an appeal.

How to appeal

Submit the Heritage Preservation Appeal application, along with:

  • $350 application fee
  • $25 to publish the notice
  • A postage fee so we can notice property owners with 350 feet

See the Heritage Preservation Appeal application

City Council committee review

A council committee reviews the appeal with a public hearing.

The City Council's Business, Inspections, Housing and Zoning Committee:

  • Discusses your appeal
  • Submits a recommendation to the City Council

Read about the Business, Inspections, Housing and Zoning Committee

Final decision

City Council makes its final decision

The City Council:

  • Approves the appeal, or
  • Denies the appeal
Next steps

When the decision is final, City staff issue a final action letter

  • If your application is approved, you can apply for building permit approval.
  • If your application is denied, contact us.

See building permit approval process

Contact our office

Contact us

Minneapolis 311

Hours

7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Monday – Friday

See list of City holidays