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Historic Preservation Resources
Historic landmark commission Agendas/information
The Historic Preservation division reviews exterior modifications and repairs to properties located inside local historic districts and those properties designated as local historic landmarks. All proposed work must be approved through a Certificate of Alteration (COA) issued by the Historic Landmark Commission (HLC) or the Historic Preservation Officer.
Current HLC Schedule of Meetings/Application Deadlines
CURRENT POSTED AGENDA
If you have any questions or need assistance with applications, please contact Historic Preservation Officer Katie Totman at KTotman@newbraunfels.gov or 830-221-4086.
Design Review subcommittee
In 2021 the Historic Landmark Commission (HLC) formed a Design Review Committee to assist applicants with the design of their projects prior to application submittal. Design Review Meetings give applicants the opportunity to meet with staff and members of the HLC to ensure that projects meet the requirements found in Chapter 66 Historic Preservation.
Meetings are offered on the last Tuesday of every month between the hours of 3pm and 5pm. Please submit your request no later than the Wednesday before the scheduled meeting.
Certificate of Alteration
A Certificate of Alteration (COA) is required prior to any work or projects impacting the exterior of designated local landmarks or any property located within a historic district. Examples of projects include, but are not limited to:
- Exterior building repairs including in kind maintenance such as painting, roof replacement, foundation work, etc.
- Exterior alterations to existing structures
- New construction and additions
- Site improvements such as landscape changes, hardscaping, driveways, or sidewalks/walkways
- New or replacement building signage
- Demolition of a landmark or building located in a historic district
Minor alterations to historic landmarks and historic district properties may qualify for administrative review, meaning that the application does not require a public hearing and the applicant does not have to appear before the Historic Landmark Commission (HLC). Applications may be submitted through the City of New Braunfels Permit Portal.
Historic Landmark Designation
If you are interested in designating your property as a historic landmark, an application for landmark designation must be reviewed by the Historic Landmark Commission. Generally, a building must be at least 50 years old to qualify as a historic landmark. Staff is able to assist you with researching the history of your property. There are a number of financial incentives available should your property be designated as historic.
Complete applications and supporting documents may be emailed to Katie Totman at KTotman@newbraunfels.gov.
Tax Relief Application
Any property that has been designated a historic landmark, or is located within a historic district, is eligible to apply for relief in property taxes for a period of 5 years, with a maximum allowance of 10 years. In order to qualify for tax relief, improvements must be done to the property and amount to at least 10% of the value of the property as reflected on county tax rolls. Applications should be submitted prior to the first of July for which year the relief would be granted.
Complete applications and supporting documents may be emailed to Katie Totman at KTotman@newbraunfels.gov.
Demolition Review for Non-Historically Designated Properties
Review and approval of all city-wide demolition requests is required by the Historic Preservation Officer prior to the issuance of a demolition permit. Per Section 66-60 of Chapter 66 of the Code of Ordinances, all applications for permits to demolish or move buildings, objects, sites, or structures not currently within a historic zoning overlay shall be referred to the city historic preservation officer for the purpose of determining whether or not the building, object, site, or structure may have historical, cultural, architectural, or archaeological significance.
When submitting an application, the following items are required:
1. Current color pictures of all sides of each structure proposed for demolition. Google earth or street view images are not accepted.
2. An accurate site plan of the property that clearly shows the location of each building proposed for demolition.
Once a complete application is received staff will begin the review process, which can take up to 30 days to complete. Should the property be found to be potentially eligible for historic landmark designation then the request will be referred to the Historic Landmark Commission (HLC) for a determination. A Demolition Review application may be submitted before a city demolition permit is applied for. Complete applications and supporting documents may be emailed to Katie Totman at KTotman@newbraunfels.gov.
Benefits & Incentives
Local Historic District Tax Relief
All properties located in designated local historic landmark districts are eligible to receive a 20% reduction in their City's assessed ad valorem taxes. Property owners in these districts must apply for this benefit annually by April 1st by filing the appropriate paperwork directly with the Comal Appraisal District. To apply, applicants should complete the Application for Historic or Archeological Site Tax Exemption and submit a copy of the accompanying ordinance. The enabling ordinances for each district can be found below.
- Downtown Historic District Ordinance and Map
- Mill Street Historic District and Map
- Sophienburg Hill Historic District Original Designation Ordinance and Map (2009)
- Sophienburg Hill Historic District First Expansion Ordinance and Map (2009)
- Sophienburg Hill Historic District Second Expansion Ordinance and Map (2010)
- Sophienburg Hill Historic District Third Expansion Ordinance and Map (2010)
- Stock Historic District Ordinance and Map
Rehabilitation Tax Relief
A locally designated individual landmark is eligible to apply for tax relief of City taxes for improvements, renovations or restorations to the structure which represents 10% of the value of the property and which improvements extend the life of the structure. In order to qualify for this relief, applicants provide proof of payment for certain qualified expenses to the Historic Preservation Officer with their application. If approved, the pre-rehabilitation value will be used to calculate the City's ad valorem tax for five years. In the fourth year of the relief, the applicant may apply to have the relief extended for an additional five years.
State Tax Credits for Historic Preservation
The State of Texas offers a Historic Preservation tax credit for the rehabilitation of certain historic properties. More information on the State Historic Preservation Tax Credit is available here.
Federal Tax Credits for Historic Preservation
In addition to state and local incentives, the federal government provides tax incentives for the rehabilitation of certain historic properties and for historic preservation easements. Information on both of these programs is available here.
PROPERTY RESEARCH
Are you curious about the history of your property? City of New Braunfels staff can help! To submit a request, please email Katie Totman at KTotman@newbraunfels.gov. With your request please include the property address and a current picture of the front if available. Staff will work to establish a build date, who may have lived at and were associated with the property, and provide an architectural description. Research can take up to 30 days depending on the complexity of the property.
If the property meets historic landmark criteria staff will also include that information and we're happy to share more information about that process if interested.
