Historic District Information and Requirements

Historic District Regulation in Ennis

In Ennis, properties within the Residential Historic District (Historic District No. 1) and the Historic Downtown District (Historic Overlay No. 2) are subject to special preservation standards established in the City’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) and administered by City's Preservation staff and the Historic Landmark Commission (HLC). These standards are intended to protect the architectural and historic character of significant areas in the city.  

Key Requirements for Historic District Properties

Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) Required

All exterior work visible from a public right of way— such as including alterations, restorations, additions, new construction, fences, paint colors, lights, signs, sidewalks, steps and paving— must receive a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) before work begins.   

The COA is reviewed by City's Preservation staff and/or Historic Landmark Commission to evaluate whether the proposed changes comply with applicable design standards and preserve the historic character.

Certificate of Demolition or Relocation

Any work that involves the demolition or relocation of a structure within a historic overlay designation must receive a Certificate of Demolition or Relocation in accordance to Section 3.3.9 of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) and prior to any work commencing.  This Certificate is issued by the Historic Landmark Commission or City Commission.  

Design Standards and Review Criteria

The historic district standards in the UDO reference design principles consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, aiming to retain historic materials, features, and spatial relationships. 

For downtown and residential historic overlays, the standards guide how remodeling, new construction, infill development, and façade changes must respect historic context, proportion, rhythm, and architectural detail. 

Designation and Regulation Process

Historic districts and landmarks are designated following a recommendation by the Historic Landmark Commission, public hearings, and action by the City Commission. Records of designation are filed in official records.   For further information on the process to designate historic buildings as local landmarks, please review Section 3.3.7 of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO).  

Role of the Historic Landmark Commission

The Historic Landmark Commission reviews COAs, advises on preservation standards, and oversees the historic district’s protection and design review process.  Meetings are held the third Monday of the month at 6:00 PM. 

Additional Considerations

• Facade Improvement Grants and Historic Preservation Grants are available for eligible projects but typically require a COA before improvements are approved or funded.  These grants are properties within the Downtown Historic District and are administered by the Ennis Economic Development Corporation.
• Tax Incentives Historic Landmark Tax Exemptions are available for properties in the residential and downtown Historic Districts. 
• In addition to historic design review, projects must comply with all applicable building codes and zoning regulations (e.g., parking, use, new construction requirements).