The Historic District Commission reviews Demolition Permit Applications when the structure or building involved is more than 50 years old. The Historic District Commission reviews Demolition Permit Applications involving structures and buildings of this age in order to assess their potential historic or architectural significance prior to the commencement of demolition.

The criteria utilized by the Historic District Commission to determine potential historic or architectural significance are specified in §24-226 of The City Code:

(1) Historical and cultural significance. The historic resource:

1. Has character, interest or value as part of the development, heritage or cultural characteristics of the city, county, state or nation;
   
   
2. Is the site of a significant historic event;
   
   
3. Is identified with a person or a group of persons who influenced society; or
   
   
4. Exemplifies the cultural, economic, social, political or historic heritage of the city and its communities.

(2) Architectural and design significance. The historic resource:

1. Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction;
   
   
2. Represents the work of a master;
   
   
3. Possess high artistic values;
   
   
4. Represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction;
   
   
5. Represents an established and familiar visual feature of the neighborhood, community or city due to its singular physical characteristic or landscape; or
   
   
6. Embodies design, setting, materials, workmanship and ambiance to the city's sense of time, place and historic development.

 Where the Historic District Commission determines that any site, group of sites, structure or object is undergoing active consideration as a historic district, historic site, or historic resource, or has the reasonable probability of being so designated or has been so designated, it may direct the City Manager to withhold issuance of any permit to demolish, grade, or substantially alter the exterior features of any such site, structure, or object. The City Manager shall withhold such permit for a maximum of six (6) months from the date of the directive of the Commission allowing the site, group of sites, structure, or object to go through the Historic Designation Application process.

Where the Historic District Commission determines that any structure or building more than 50 years old does not meet the criteria for historic or architectural significance, as specified in §24-226 of The City Code, the Historic District Commission will not direct the City Manager to withhold issuance of the demolition permit and the demolition permit will be issued without further review.