Houston Heights Preservation Guidelines-Issued
Draft of Houston Heights Preservation Guidelines
The draft of Houston Heights Preservation Guidelines were issued on June 20th and are attached below. See previous post on Design Guidelines Presentation.
These Preservation Guidelines are designed specifically for the 3 Houston Heights Historic Districts East, West, South. (Others will be produced for remaining historic districts.)
Original Photo- 1845 Harvard St-Tibbott House. Renovated by HDT Builders
These guidelines should be consulted by anyone planning exterior changes to a home in these historic districts, or building a new home here. Thus home owners, architects, builders in these historic districts should consider these guidelines before proposing changes.
The City of Houston Historic Preservation staff and Houston Archaeological and Historical Committee will be using these in approving or rejecting Certificates of Compliance (COA’s). Thus, everyone is using a uniform set of guidelines when looking at changes. This should make the entire process more uniform, transparent and workable.
The Houston Heights Preservation Guidelines are Below
Each one of these sections is a printable pdf covering the 9 sections.
- Sec. 1- Introduction: Background and Information on Certificate of Appropriateness (COA).
- Sec. 2 – Preservation Fundamentals: Key historic preservation concepts and Benefits of historic preservation.
- Sec. 3 – Districts Overview: Descriptions of Houston Heights East, West, South and their house styles.
- Sec. 4 – Exterior Alterations: General guidelines and specifics for building elements (Roof, siding, porches, etc.).
- Sec. 5 – Additions to Contributing Structures: Standards for setbacks, lot coverage, eave heights, porches, etc.
- Sec. 6 – Alterations and Additions to Noncontributing Structures: What criteria apply and what approvals needed.
- Sec. 7 – New Construction: Rules and 10 measurable design standards,
- Sec. 8 – Relocation and Demolition: Contributing vs. non-contributing structures.
- Sec. 9 – Additional Resources: More information and Good Practices (Like fences, sidewalks, etc.).
Note: These Houston Heights Preservation Guidelines are draft, not final. They will be presented for comment at the Heights Fire Station and eventually approved with any changes by the City Council.
