Historic Preservation

The City of Corvallis is home to over 700 Designated Historic Resources. Designated Historic Resources include properties listed on the Corvallis Register of Historic Landmarks and Districts (Local Register) and those on the National Register of Historic Places (National Register). While the bulk of these resources are located within the Avery-Helm, College-Hill West, or Oregon State University Historic Districts, over 100 resources have been designated individually.

Corvallis has had a historic preservation program since 1982 (Ordinance 82-100) and the City has participated in the federal Certified Local Government program, administered by the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office, since 1992.

Learn more about Corvallis historical homes and areas by taking yourself on a self-guided tour.  See our catalog of self-guided walking tour brochures here. 

Preservation Plan
The City of Corvallis adopted the Historic Preservation Plan in June 2018. The Plan provides an overview of the historic preservation program and establishes policies and goals for the program and the City more broadly. More information can be found here.

Historic Preservation Month
Historic Preservation Month takes place each May and includes a full slate of events and tours throughout the Corvallis community. More information about past Historic Preservation Month activities can be found here.

Historic Preservation Regulations
The City’s historic preservation regulations are located in Chapter 2.9 of the Land Development Code (LDC). Historic Preservation Permit approval may be required for alterations, new construction, reclassifications, and/or demolitions of properties located on the Corvallis Register of Historic Landmarks and Districts (Local Register), and/or the National Register of Historic Places.

Historic Preservation Permits
Information about the Historic Preservation Permit (HPP) process and application forms can be found here.

Where do the City's historic preservation regulations apply?
The City's historic preservation provisions in LDC Chapter 2.9 apply to designated historic resources, which are either individually listed, or located within one of three historic districts. Visit our Maps and Other Resources page to confirm whether or not any particular property is affected.

Historic Districts
The City has three National Register Historic Districts: Avery-Helm, College Hill West, and Oregon State University. Through its delegated authority, the City evaluates Historic Preservation Permit requests relating to properties in these Districts.

Historic Resources Commission
In accordance with LDC Chapter 2.9, most historic preservation permits are evaluated by the Historic Resources Commission (HRC). The HRC is a volunteer board for the City of Corvallis charged with the responsibility to evaluate permit requests and, in general, to act as the City’s authority on historic preservation. 

If you have any questions about the City’s historic preservation program, contact the Planning Division.

Visit our Corvallis History pages for a written, illustrative, and photographic narrative of the history of Corvallis.