About Our Work
Contact Us
preservation@austintexas.gov
Permitting and Development Center
6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive
Austin, TX 78752
preservation@austintexas.gov
Permitting and Development Center
6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive
Austin, TX 78752
512-974-3393
Historic Preservation Office, Planning Department
P.O. Box 1088
Austin, TX 78767
Our Team
The Historic Preservation Office is a division of Austin Planning. We work to protect Austin’s historic resources and raise awareness of preservation’s many benefits in communities across the city. We have two teams: Regulation & Stewardship and Policy, Programs & Outreach.
The Regulation & Stewardship team leads code-mandated identification, designation, review, and incentives for historically significant properties. This team works to:
- Identify potential historic resources through surveys, archival research, and permit review
- Designate historic properties and historic districts
- Manage changes to historic properties
- Inspect historic properties annually for maintenance compliance
- Support the Historic Landmark Commission and committees
- Manage historic landmark and district property tax incentives
The Policy, Programs & Outreach team performs a wide range of work related to implementation of the Equity-Based Preservation Plan adopted by City Council in November 2024. This team works to:
- Lead community outreach and engagement
- Develop policies and manage code amendments
- Coordinate process improvements
- Develop educational materials
- Coordinate cross-departmental implementation of the Equity-Based Preservation Plan
- Support Historic Landmark Commission committees
Current Projects
The Equity-Based Preservation Plan recommends Transfers of Development Rights (TDRs) as a tool to support the preservation, maintenance, and rehabilitation of small-scale historic properties in areas targeted for higher density. As a market-based tool, TDRs would allow historic property owners in “sending zones” to transfer unused development capacity to other properties in “receiving zones.” The City has contracted with Lionheart Places and Economic & Planning Systems (EPS) to assess the feasibility of a TDR program in Austin, consider how TDRs could work with other City incentive programs, and recommend program parameters. The project is supported by funding from the City’s Equitable Transit-Oriented Development program and will be completed in summer 2026.
The East Austin Historic Resource Survey Update highlights East Austin's rich history by evaluating 45+ year-old buildings as potential historic landmarks and historic districts. Learn more and get involved!