Preservation Board

Department Heads - Chairman, Richard C. Baer 
Address – 901 City Hall
Phone- (716) 851-5029
Fax- (716) 851-5035

Duties:

The Buffalo Preservation Board was created to help historic property owners maintain their properties in a manner consistent with the city's Preservation Standards.  The Board appointed by the Mayor and Common Council, with designees of the Landmark Society of the Niagara Frontier and the Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society, consists of eleven members. Each member must have demonstrated an interest in and working knowledge of the history or architecture of the City of Buffalo.  Board members include architects, realtors, historians, planners and owners of properties in historic districts.

The Board's responsibilities include citywide preservation planning, review and approval of exterior changes to 85+ designated local landmarks and 7,000+ structures within historic districts, nomination of landmarks and historic districts for designation to the Local, State & National Registers, directing property owners to appropriate sources of technical and financial assistance and broadening the public's awareness of the value of preserving properties and structures that represent the city's cultural, social, political and economic history.

Prior to applying for a building permit to alter the exterior of a local landmark or structure within an historic district or constructing a new structure within an historic district, property owners must file an application for the proposed work with the Permit Office in Room 301 City Hall and then with the Preservation Board in Room 901 City Hall. The Preservation Board application requires photographs, drawings or plans (elevations) of the proposed work with dimensions indicated, a site plan, a map or survey indicating the location of the proposed work and detailed specifications of all construction materials and colors to be used. The Board will review the proposed work in detail with the applicant, and if necessary, recommend preferred methods of treatment. The Board will then approve or disapprove the proposed work.

The Preservation Board meets bi-weekly in Room 901 City Hall. The meetings are open to the public.