Landmark Commission

The Landmark Commission is a seven-member board established in 1975. Its role is to preserve, protect, and perpetuate buildings, structures, sites, works of art, and other objects having special historical, community or aesthetic interest or value. As such, exterior changes to local landmark properties require review by the Landmark Commission. The Commission and the City are committed to the preservation of the distinctive features for which Shaker architecture is known.

Register for the Historic Preservation ENews email list to receive periodic information of interest to owners of historic homes or landmark properties.

Summer 2022 Statement on Preservation of Shaker Public Buildings

Agendas & Minutes

Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.

View Most Recent Agendas and Minutes

Meeting Schedule

  1. Landmark Commission Schedule of Meetings (2023)
  2. Landmark Commission Schedule of Meetings (2024)

Application Documents

  1. Landmark Commission - Application Form (PDF)
  2. Landmark Commission - Application Procedures (PDF)
  3. Landmark Commission - Fee Schedule (PDF)

Supplemental Information

  1. Contractors for Original Materials Retention (PDF)
  2. Landmark Commission - Design Guidelines (PDF)
  3. Shaker Village Colors (PDF)
  4. Window Standards (PDF)

Landmark Districts and Properties

Seventy five percent of the City is located within the Shaker Village (PDF) that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Shaker Heights is also home to the Winslow Road Historic District (designated as a local historic district in 2007), a local historic district that surrounds Shaker Square, and 46 individually designated local landmarks.

Review Procedures

The Landmark Commission must review all exterior changes proposed for individual landmarks and properties located in the Winslow Road and Shaker Square local landmark districts. This includes building changes and environmental/landscape changes. View the Application Procedures document for more details. 

Preservation Month Photo Contest

The Shaker Heights Landmark Commission invites photographers to enter the Shaker Heights Preservation Month Photo Contest. The contest was created in honor of National Preservation Month, which is celebrated each May by preservation organizations across the country. Effective 2021, this is a biennial contest. The next contest will be 2025.

Please email the Planning Department with any questions.

 View previous winners:

Preservation Awards

In addition to reviewing and approving alterations and additions to local landmark properties, the Commission sponsors a biennial Preservation Awards program (held in even years). The Shaker Heights Landmark Commission established its Preservation Awards program in 1998 to recognize and highlight efforts by property owners who have preserved and improved their properties. This awards program is mirrored after the program established by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1971.

Nominations for the 2022 Preservation Awards program are now closed. Please check back in 2023 to nominate a program for the 2024 Preservation Awards program. 

Homeowner Resources

The Landmark Commission also serves as an information source for residents. It maintains lists of contractors who specialize in historic roofing materials (slate, wood and tile), wood windows and stucco and masonry repair. Learn more about your home using the Historic Building Cards database.

For additional information email the Planning Department or call 216-491-3216.