Heritage District Guidelines & Applications

The City of Plano has two designated heritage districts: Haggard Park and Downtown. A map of these districts can be downloaded here. Both heritage districts have their own set of design guidelines for building alterations, construction, removal, or demolition. Any property within Plano that is a locally designated heritage resource, or is part of a locally designated heritage district must acquire a certificate of appropriateness prior to beginning any exterior improvement projects.

Heritage Resource Designation

Certificate of Appropriateness (CA) Process

As mentioned above, a certificate of appropriateness is required prior to beginning any exterior improvement projects on locally designated heritage properties or properties within the Haggard Park or Downtown Heritage Districts. A five step process is outlined below. Printable instructions for the Certificate of Appropriateness Application can be downloaded here.

CA Cover
5 Step

Step 1 - Determine if the project requires a Certificate of Appropriateness (CA)
Prior to any exterior alterations, demolition, or new construction, a CA must be approved. Alterations generally include the following:

Doors and WindowsSidingNew ConstructionAdditions
RoofsSigns (window and wall)Major landscape improvements or pavement changesStabilization
PorchesLight FixturesReconstruction/RepairRestoration
Architectural DetailsNew Exterior PaintAlterationRehabilitation
RelocationDemolitionFencesSteps


If you have questions about the requirements of the CA or are unsure if you need a CA, please contact the Heritage Preservation Officer at 972-941-7151.

Step 2 - Staff Consultation
It is highly recommended that an applicant consult with the Heritage Preservation Officer before and during the planning of a project. Some projects will require Heritage Commission approval, which may extend the timeline of the approval process. The City of Plano has a professional staff with specific experience in preservation, construction, and planning expertise. These services are offered to assist you with design choices in a historic district. Contact the Heritage Preservation Officer at 972-941-7151 for more information.

When reviewing Certificate of Appropriateness applications, the Heritage Commission and Heritage Preservation Officer will refer to the design guidelines/standards in making their recommendations:

Step 3 - Completing the Application

During the staff consultation step, the Heritage Preservation Officer will assist in identifying and defining necessary support materials and drawings for the Certificate of Appropriateness (CA) application. There is no fee for CA applications. A copy of the application can be downloaded below:

Step 4 - Review and Approval

The Heritage Commission meets once a month to review applications for Certificates of Appropriateness. Certain projects may be approved by the Heritage Preservation Officer. Please contact the Heritage Preservation Officer at 972-941-7151 or review the Heritage Preservation Officer's Delegation of Duties to determine if your project will require Heritage Commission review and approval.

Step 5 - Building Permits

Once a Certificate of Appropriateness (CA) is obtained from the Heritage Preservation Officer, it can be presented to the Building Inspections Department for issuance of a building permit. Please note that a building permit cannot be issued until a CA has been obtained. The CA should be placed in a window or other conspicuous location on a property during the course of the project.

IMPORTANT: Approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness does not constitute a building permit. Appropriate permits must be obtained in addition to a Certificate of Appropriateness.