Landmark Properties & Alterations

Minnesota State Statute 471.193 authorizes cities to establish and carry out heritage preservation programs.  Section 60.200.040C of the Unified Development Code (UDC) governs the Rochester program, including the designation & alteration of historic landmark properties & districts. The UDC went into effect on January 1, 2023, and replaced earlier versions in Chapters 4-7 and 19B of the City Code.

The following buildings, structures, objects, sites, and districts, recognized as historically significant are designated as Historic Landmarks under the City Unified Development Code (UDC) Section 60.200.040.C. View the Design Guidelines for the treatment of these properties (required under 60.20.040.C.8).

Historic Name

Other Name(s)

Address

Designation Date

Avalon Hotel

Hamilton Music Company/Avalon Music

301 Broadway Ave N

5/1/2017

Balfour, Dr. Donald C., House

Civic League Day Nursery

427 6th Ave SW

5/1/2017

Central Park/Public Square

Central Park

225 1st Ave NW

11/17/25

Chateau Dodge Theatre

Chateau Theatre

15 1st St NW

5/1/2017

Conley Camera Factory

Conley Mass/Bleu Duck

14 4th S SW

5/1/2017

Downtown Commercial Historic District

N.A.

See List

1/22/24

Edward and Lydia Rosenow Family Residence House

Goodfriend House

617 9th Ave SW

6/26/2023

Monarch/Libby's/Seneca Foods Canning Co., Water Tower

Ear of Corn Water Tower

1217 3rd Ave SE

1/8/2024

Olmsted County Oil/Schmitt Automotive

Chuck’s Tire & Auto

102 Broadway Ave N

5/28/2024

Pill Hill Neighborhood Historic District

N.A.

See List

2/19/25

Plummer Building

Mayo Clinic

110-15 2nd Ave SW

5/1/2017

Plummer Caretaker's Cottage

House

933 11th St SW

5/1/2017

Plummer House & Gardens/Quarry Gardens

Plummer House

1091 Plummer Ln SW

5/1/2017

Rochester Armory

The Castle

121 Broadway Ave N

5/1/2017

Rochester Public Library

Mitchell Student Center - Mayo Medical School

226 2nd St SW

5/1/2017

Silver Lake Park

Silver Lake Park

W. Silver Lake Dr NE

6/26/2023

Silver Lake Power Generating Plant

Rochester Public Utilities Silver Lake Power Plant

425 2nd Ave NE

6/6/2022

Soldiers Field Memorial Park

Soldiers Field Park

300 7th St SW

2/5/2024

Stoppel Farmstead/Dodge Farm

History Center of Olmsted County

1195 West Circle Dr SW

5/1/2017

Timothy A. Whiting House

Heritage House

225 1st Ave NW

5/1/2017

Toogood Barns

Stone Barn Dentist

615 16th St SW

5/1/2017

William J. Mayo House

Mayo Foundation House

701 4th St SW

5/1/2017

Regulating Alterations to Landmark Properties

A certificate of appropriateness is required for some projects when:

  • The proposed alteration requires building or demolition permits or
  • The proposed development requires a land use application, and
  • The proposed project will alter the appearance of the property when viewed from off-site

Certificate of Appropriateness Application

Exceptions to this requirement are when:

  1. Interior remodeling/alterations are completed that do not affect the property's exterior appearance.
  2. Repainting, re-plastering, or similar exterior refinishing of existing surfaces. This includes changes to the exterior color. (Covering existing exterior surfaces with new material, such as siding over wood or stucco over brick, is not exempt).
  3. Routine repair or maintenance, such as caulking, replacement of fasteners and re-glazing windows.

Major alterations include review of:

  • Building additions.
  • Alterations that are visible from public property or the right of way, unless otherwise defined as minor.
  • New buildings or site development in designated landmark districts. 

Minor alterations include review of:

  • Signs.
  • Replacement of features that are not character-defining.
  • Alterations not visible from public land or the right of way.
  • Alterations to non-contributing properties in any historic district.

Visit the Heritage Preservation Commission page to learn more.

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City of Rochester

201 4th Street SE
Rochester, MN 55904

PHONE: 507-328-2311
FAX: 507-328-2901

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