Applications

Historic Review Process

The City of Manhattan is required to conduct reviews of projects affecting historic property. If you are planning a project on a property that requires a building permit, demolition permit, sign permit, or certain zoning actions and your property is within a historic district or is individually listed on the Local, State, or National Register of Historic Places, the project must be reviewed for historic compatibility before it can be issued. 

State and National Register Properties: The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards are used to assess a project’s appropriateness. A Minor or a Major State Historic Review Application must be submitted to review a project. This matrix gives examples of different types of projects that typically fall into the minor and major project category. See application descriptions below.

Local Register Properties: Sec. 26-9D-5 of the Manhattan Development Code is used to assess a project's appropriateness. A Minor or a Major Local Historic Review Application must be submitted to review a project. This matrix gives examples of the different types of projects that typically fall into the minor and major project category. See application descriptions below.  

You may contact Ben Chmiel, staff liaison to the Historic Resources Board via phone (785-587-2438) or email, if you are unsure about which application to submit. Once an application is submitted, City staff will determine if the project is appropriate to be considered minor or major. 

See the historic review process flowchart for more information on the process for reviewing projects affecting State and National Register projects.

Minor State

State and National Minor Reviews 

This application is for smaller-scale projects affecting properties listed on the State or National Register (or located in a Historic District on that register) that require a permit. This form must be submitted and you must receive a Letter of Approval regarding the project before a permit can be issued. These projects are reviewed by City Administration and typically take a few business days.

Major State

State and National Major Reviews

This application is for larger-scale projects affecting properties listed on the State or National Register (or located in a Historic District on that register) that require a permit. This form must be submitted and you must receive a Letter of Approval regarding the project before a permit can be issued. These projects are reviewed by the Manhattan Historic Resources Board and can take from 2-6 weeks depending on the completeness of the application, the project's historic compatibility, and the Historic Resources Board schedule.

Minor Local

Local Minor Reviews

This application is for smaller-scale projects affecting properties listed on the Manhattan Register (or located in a Historic District on that register) that require a permit or are specifically required to be reviewed per the ordinance that established the district. This form must be submitted and you must receive a Certificate of Appropriateness before a permit can be issued. These projects are reviewed by City Administration and typically take a few business days.

Major Local

Local Major Reviews

This application is for larger-scale projects affecting properties listed on the Manhattan Register (or located in a Historic District on that register) that require a permit or are specifically required to be reviewed per the ordinance that established the district. This form must be submitted and you must receive a Certificate of Appropriateness before a permit can be issued. These projects are reviewed by the Manhattan Historic Resources Board and can take from 2-6 weeks depending on the completeness of the application, the project's historic compatibility, and the Historic Resources Board schedule.