SALT LAKE CITY HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION

The Historic Landmark Commission (HLC) reviews all applications for landmark sites, demolition and new construction within locally-designated historic districts. They do not review interior work or exterior paint color, only exterior alterations. The majority of the projects presented to the HLC are either approved as submitted or with modifications.

Siding

Download design standards for siding (as Adobe Acrobat PDF file). This file is approximately 390 KB.

Policy: The use of vinyl and aluminum siding or any other imitation siding materials applied over original or historic material is prohibited by section 21A.34.020(G)(10) of the Salt Lake City Zoning Ordinance . Installation of the siding causes damage to the underlying historic material that is difficult to repair if the siding is removed. Artificial siding conceals underlying moisture problems that cause deterioration of the underlying wood siding and structural system.

Removal and/or covering of historic material and architectural features contribute to a significant loss of character for a building, minimize its historic integrity and diminish its marketing appeal. It is difficult to match the physical and architectural qualities of wood siding with metal or vinyl siding, resulting in an adverse effect to the historic character of a building. Like any material exposed to the elements, artificial siding is not maintenance-free. Siding fades over time and can be damaged. It is difficult to match faded or damaged material, so often all of the siding on a building must be replaced or the building must be painted. Consult the Design Guidelines and Section 21A.34.020(G)(10) of the Salt Lake City Zoning Ordinance for the Historic Landmark Commission's policy on siding, or contact the Planning staff for further information.