Historic Preservation

About
Preserving Dunedin's Character

Dunedin's quality of life is profoundly linked to the appreciation of its diverse and colorful history. Dunedin has changed significantly since the first land deed was recorded in 1852. However, significant historic structures in the town help identify, preserve, and promote Dunedin’s unique village-like quaintness, character and charm.

If your property is a historic structure, you are invited to help us preserve Dunedin’s character by applying for a local historic landmark designation – and when approved, by displaying the Dunedin Historic Landmark Plaque on your property.

Historic Preservation Ordinance

On October 4, 2018, in the interest of the health, prosperity, safety, welfare, and economic well-being of the City's residents and property owners, the City Commission adopted Chapter 111 of the Land Development Code; a historic preservation provision that encompasses the preservation, protection, perpetuation and use of historic landmarks in the City.  In addition to helping safeguard its heritage, the City of Dunedin allows certain tax exemptions to encourage the restoration, renovation or rehabilitation of a qualifying property.

Historic Places

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation's historic places. To date, Dunedin has four historic places on the National Register.

  • J.O. Douglas House (1880)
  • Andrews Memorial Chapel (1888)
  • Blatchley House (1916)
  • Dunedin Isles Golf Club (1926)
Advisory Committee

Dunedin is continuing to grow and change as people discover the economic prosperity, livability and beauty of our delightful town. Recognizing that redevelopment pressures may contribute to the demise of historical and architecturally significant properties, eroding the one of the essential characteristics underlying Dunedin’s appeal, City Commission unanimously approved Resolution 16-32 establishing a Historic Preservation Advisory Committee (HPAC). The primary duties of the HPAC are to:

  • Safeguard the heritage of Dunedin by preserving the resources of the community which reflect elements of historical significance;
  • Identify, designate, and make recommendations on regulating historic landmarks in order to preserve their historical significance;
  • Maintain an inventory of historic structures; and
  • Develop a historic plaque policy and application process.

The HPAC, City Commission, and staff works with property owners, local businesses, public agencies and community organizations to help identify, preserve, and promote Dunedin’s unique character and aids the public with historical research, rehabilitation issues and economic incentives.

 

New Applications

Consideration

Consideration for designation as a historic landmark is initiated by filing an application. Applications may be filed by a property owner, the Dunedin Historic Preservation Committee, the City Commission, the City Manager or the staff of the Dunedin History Museum.  There is a $100.00 application fee.

Application Criteria

The application requires that structure be at least 50 years old. The application includes a list of criteria for designation, a written description of the proposed landmark and supporting evidence.

Application

Application for Designation of Historic Landmark(PDF, 232KB)

Please bring your completed application and the $100 application fee to the Community Development Department in Dunedin City Hall at 737 Louden Avenue.

Approval

When a complete application has been submitted and reviewed, the City Commission (serving in its capacity as the Dunedin Historic Preservation Commission in a public hearing) recommends designation of the property as a historic landmark.

Post-Approval
  1. Please note that once designated, the property and the structure located upon it are subject to the requirements and benefits for historic landmarks as set forth in Chapter 111.
  2. The designation conferred runs with the property.

Approving Changes

View or download the Certificate of Appropriateness Application.

Certificate of Appropriateness is Required When:
  • Alteration of a designated archaeological site;
  • Alteration to the exterior part of a building, structure or object within the designated boundary of a historic landmark;
  • New construction;
  • Demolition;
  • Relocation, including the relocation of a building into a historic district;
  • Review of new construction and alterations to designated buildings and structures shall be limited to exterior changes. Whenever any alteration, new construction, demolition, or relocation is undertaken on a historic landmark without a COA, the Building Official is authorized to issue a stop work order;
  • A COA shall be in addition to any other building permits required by law. The issuance of a COA shall not relieve the property owner of the duty to comply with other federal, state, and local laws and regulations;
Certificate of Appropriateness Are Not Required When:
  • Ordinary repair and maintenance that is otherwise permitted by law may be undertaken without a COA. The final determination of what work is considered ordinary repair and maintenance shall be made by the Director. Property owners may request the Director to review any scope of work to determine if a COA is required at no charge.
Having a Certificate of Appropriateness
  • Owners of properties which are subject to a COA review shall make all artifacts from archaeological sites available to the investigating archaeologists for purposes of analysis and for the reasonable period of time needed for the analysis;
  • No COA approved by the City Commission shall be effective for a period of ten days from the date of approval. If during that ten-day period an appeal is made, the decision shall automatically be stayed during the appeal.
Learn More

 

 

Tax Exemption

In 1992, the Florida state constitution was amended to allow municipalities the option of offering ad valorem tax exemptions on improvements to historic properties. The purpose of providing this exemption was to stimulate the revitalization of historic properties and to ease the burden of maintaining these properties.

In October 2018, the City of Dunedin adopted Ordinance 18-28 creating such a tax exemption.  The properties which qualify for the exemption are those designated as local, state or national historic properties or landmarks.

Learn more about the Procedure for Ad Valorem Tax Exemption for Historic Properties.

We utilize the State forms provided below if you want to apply for the property tax exemption.

Helpful Links

 

Map

 

Plaque

The City of Dunedin Historic Landmark Plaque identifies those buildings, structures, or sites of either historical or architectural significance approved by the Dunedin Historic Preservation Commission that illustrate our history and help to educate the public about that significance. The Secondary purpose is to encourage the restoration and maintenance of other potential historic landmarks.

  • Once a property is officially designated, a historic landmark plaque and certificate are presented to the property owner and the resolution recorded.
  • Names given to a home are usually its original resident or the person or persons who lived there the longest. In the case of a building, the name given is typically its original purpose. There is no charge for the Historic Landmark Plaque.
  • The property owner is responsible for the installation of the plaque in a location visible from the street. The plaques must be attached to the landmark in such a way as to not cause irreversible damage to it.

Sample Historic Landmark Plaque

historic preservation plaque

Only the Historic Landmark Plaque designed and produced by the City may be displayed on a property designed by the City as a historic landmark. The City of Dunedin retains ownership of the Historic Landmark Plaque.*

*If the property is altered or changed in a manner which diminishes its historical or architectural integrity or otherwise violates the provisions of historic preservation ordinance of the Land Development Code the Plaque will revert to the City.

 

 

 

Contact Us

Frances Sharp
Planner II
FSharp@DunedinFL.net
727-298-3200  

Historic Landmark Plaque

historic preservation plaque

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