Local Historic Landmark Designation

Step 1.Pre-Application

A pre-application meeting is required prior to submission of an application to add a property to the landmark study list. The purpose of the pre-application meeting is to provide an overview of the process and general guidance on the proposed request. Pre-application meetings may be scheduled by emailing the Historic Preservation team or calling 910.254.0900.

Step 2.Historic Preservation Commission Review

The Historic Preservation Commission will review the application and determine whether to add the property to the study list based on the criteria established in the Local Historic Landmark Policy.

Step 1.Pre-Application

A pre-application meeting is required prior to submission of an application to designate a historic landmark. The purpose of the pre-application meeting is to provide an overview of the process. Pre-application meetings may be scheduled by emailing the Historic Preservation team or calling 910.254.0900.

Step 2.Historic Preservation Commission Recommendation

The Historic Preservation Commission will hold a public hearing on the application and forward a recommendation to the City Council.

Step 3.City Council Public Hearing

Designation of a local historic landmark is subject is the responsibility of the City Council. The Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed designation before making a decision.

Step 1.Applications Accepted Monthly

Applications are accepted on a monthly basis according to the Historic Preservation Commission schedule. Applications received after the established deadline will be included with the following month's review cycle submissions.

Step 2.Electronic Submissions

Applications may be submitted electronically by emailing the Historic Preservation team, but only after a pre-application meeting.

Step 3.Application Components

All application components (e.g., application, information required for each alteration type, etc.) must be submitted individually and named accordingly.

Step 4.Large Files

Please contact the Historic Preservation team to make arrangements for files that exceed email limits.

Step 5.Professional Seals

Professional seals (engineers, land surveyors, architects, etc.) on digital plans must be redacted from digital copies submitted to the city for review. Please be sure to mark, strike through, or otherwise conceal any professional seal located on your digital (re)submittals (e.g., PDF).

Step 1.Fees

• Study List Application: No fee
• Application for Landmark Designation: $50*

*A mailed notice fee of $1.00/notice shall apply to all applications received on or after July 1, 2026. This fee will be determined during the review process and a separate invoice issued. The supplemental fee must be paid prior to a hearing on the application.

Step 2.Payment Options

If you plan to pay in advance, planning staff must first notify the collections department to enable acceptance of payments.

Payment by Phone

• Call 910.343.4745
• 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Monday through Friday except for holidays)
• Limited to VISA and MasterCard payments.

Payment in Person

• 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Monday through Friday except for holidays)
• Billing & Collections Office
  Skyline Center
  929 North Front Street, 1st Floor

Payment by Mail

• Make check payable to: City of Wilmington
• Please include invoice number or account number
• Regular Mail
  City of Wilmington Collections
  PO Box 1810
  Wilmington, NC 28402
• Express Mail
  City of Wilmington Collections

  929 North Front Street, 1st Floor
  Wilmington, NC 28401

Step 3.Beware Fraudulent Invoices

The City of Wilmington is aware that fraudulent invoices have been sent to applicants requesting money via wire transfer. The emails often contain pertinent information pulled from the application (such as address, parcel number, and case number), but include a fake invoice with fabricated application fees.

Here are a few ways to spot a fraudulent invoice:

• Applications must be filed online via the City's Development and Permitting Services (DPS) platform. This platform will generate invoices for application fees, and your personal dashboard on that platform will identify any outstanding fees. You can also obtain a copy of the invoice via that platform.
• The City will never request payment via wire transfer or issue an invoice that asks you to contact someone via email or phone for them to provide the payment method.
• Many fraudulent invoices reference exorbitant fees. As noted, your personal dashboard in the DPS platform will identify any outstanding fees. Please review the permit fees in the City's Fee Schedule to ensure you are being charged the proper amount.

If ever in doubt, don't hesitate to city staff to confirm if the email or invoice you have received is authentic.