Historic and Design Review Commission (HDRC)

The Historic and Design Review Commission (HDRC) consists of eleven (11) members who reside in the City of San Antonio and are appointed by the City Council.  They review projects related to exterior changes to properties that are individually designated landmarks or within one of the City's 27 historic districts; located within one of six (6) River Improvement Overlay (RIO) districts (including the Riverwalk); located within a Viewshed Protection district; or that are publicly-owned (i.e. libraries, parks, fire stations, etc.). In considering whether to recommend approval or disapproval of an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness, the HDRC is guided by the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation, the City of San Antonio's Unified Development Code, and any additional design guidelines adopted by City Council.

Recent amendments to the City's Unified Development Code (UDC) have increased the type and number of Certificate of Appropriateness applications that can be approved administratively by OHP staff and do not require HDRC review.  For a complete list of items that can be administratively approved by staff, refer to Section 35-611 of the UDC Amendments.

HDRC Members and Agenda

• HDRC Members

Important Facts to Remember:

• The Historic and Design Review Commission (HDRC) and the Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) only review exterior changes.  
  
• A Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) does not take the place of any required permits. A COA is simply your approval to proceed forward in the permitting process.  
  
• Work done without a COA is subject to a $500 application fee, and a Stop-Work Order may be issued.
  
• A COA is valid for 6 months and must be posted on-site at all times.  
• See the Historic Design Guidelines link below for important information on working with historic properties.

Downloadable Documents:

• Current Agenda

• Staff Recommendations

• HDRC Cases:

• Meeting Minutes

• 2013 Meeting Schedule

• Historic Design Guidelines

For additional information about the Historic and Design Review Commission (HDRC) please contact the Office of Historic Preservation at (210) 215-9274.