Criteria for Determining Designation in the Register

Any building, structure, or site may be designated for inclusion in the city of Gig Harbor historic preservation register if it is significantly associated with the history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or cultural heritage of the community, if it has integrity; is at least 50 years old, or is of lesser age and has exceptional importance; and if it falls in at least one of the following categories:

1. Is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of national, state or local history.
2. Embodies the distinctive architectural characteristics of a type, period, style, or method of design or construction, or represents a  significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction.
3. Is an outstanding work of a designer, builder, or architect who has made a substantial contribution to the art.
4. Exemplifies or reflects special elements of the city’s cultural,  special, economic, political, aesthetic, engineering, or architectural  history.
5. Is associated with the lives of persons significant in national, state or local history.
6. Has yielded or may be likely to yield important archaeological information related to history or prehistory.
7. Is a building or structure removed from its original location but which is significant primarily for architectural value, or which is the  only surviving structure significantly associated with an historic person or event.
8. Is a birthplace or grave of an historical figure of outstanding  importance and is the only surviving structure or site associated with  that person.
9. Is a cemetery which derives its primary significance from age, from distinctive design features, or from association with historic events, or cultural patterns.
10. Is a reconstructed building that has been executed in an historically accurate manner on the original site.
11. Is a creative and unique example of folk architecture and design created by persons not formally trained in the architectural or design professions, and which does not fit into formal architectural or historical categories.

Process for Designating Properties to the City Register of Historical Properties

1. Property owners may nominate a building, structure, site, or object for inclusion in the city register of historical properties. Members of the DRB or the DRB as a whole may generate nominations and may sponsor nominations submitted by members of the public. In its designation recommendation, the DRB shall consider the city’s historic property inventory and the city comprehensive plan, and shall recommend inclusion on the register only if the owner is willing to have his/her property included on the register.
2. In the case of individual properties, the designation shall include the tax parcel number, a full legal description of the property,  references and all features, interior and exterior, and outbuildings that contribute to its designation.
3. The DRB shall consider the merits of the nomination, according to the criteria in subsection A of this section at a public meeting. Notice shall be provided to the public and the owner(s) of the property, and the authors of the nomination, as provided in GHMC 17.98.055(C)(1). If the DRB finds that the nominated property is eligible for the city’s register of historical properties, the DRB shall make recommendation to the city council that the property be listed in the register with the owner’s consent. The city council shall make a final determination according to the criteria in subsection A of this section. The property owners and the authors of the nomination, if different, shall be notified of the listing.
4. Properties listed in the city’s register of historical properties shall be recorded on official zoning records with an “HR” for “historic  register” designation. This designation shall not change or modify the underlying zone classification.

Removal of Properties from the Register

In the event that any property is no longer deemed appropriate for designation to the city’s register of historical properties, the DRB may initiate removal from such designation by the same procedure as provided for in establishing the designation, subsection B of this section. The city council makes the final decision on a proposed removal of property from the city’s register of historical properties. A property may be removed from the city’s register of historical properties without the owner’s consent, and the city council shall remove the property from the city’s register if the owner requests removal.

Effects of Listing on the Register

1. Listing on the city historical register is an honorary designation denoting significant association with the historic, archaeological,  engineering, or cultural heritage of the community. Properties are listed individually.
2. Prior to the commencement of any work on a register property, excluding ordinary repair and maintenance and emergency measures defined in GHMC 17.97.020(J) and (P), the owner must request and receive a Certificate of Appropriateness from the DRB for the proposed work. Violation of this rule shall be grounds for the DRB to review the property for removal from the register.
3. Prior to whole or partial demolition of a register property, the owner must request and receive a waiver of a Certificate of Appropriateness Form (PDF).
4. Once the city is certified as a certified local government (CLG), all properties on the city historic register may be eligible for Special Tax Valuation on their rehabilitation (GHMC 17.97.020(T)). (Ordinance 1093 § 10, 2007; Ordinance 992 § 1, 2005).