Office

Design Guidelines

The Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) is pleased to announce that the City of San Antonio Historic Design Guidelines were adopted by City Council on November 8, 2012. The OHP worked with a volunteer steering committee and consultants Clarion Associates and Hardy Heck Moore, Inc. to plan and execute the Historic Design Guidelines. The draft document was advertised and made available for public comment through two public meetings prior to creation of the final draft. We appreciate all of the community feedback on this initiative.

The Historic Design Guidelines provide historic district residents, property owners, professionals working with historic properties, and potential construction applicants a background history of the City's historic districts, an understanding of architectural design principles, and guidelines which promote predictability and ensure compatibility between new development and the existing historic environment. Successful historic design guidelines help to reinforce and preserve the character of our historic districts!

Guidelines Policy Documents

In September 2022, the Historic and Design Review Commission approved six policy guides to provide customers with additional guidance in the review process. The policy guides are intended to be consisted with the Historic Design Guidelines as adopted by City Council and provide customers with more illustrative examples of work that is eligible for either administrative approval or a positive recommendation to the HDRC. View or download the guides below:

• Substitute Materials
• Porch Rehabilitation and Reconstruction
• Windows
• Fences
• Xeriscaping
• Sustainability and Energy Retrofit

District-Specific Guidelines

(PROPOSED) rIVER ROAD hISTORIC dISTRICT DESIGN gUIDELINES

The River Road Neighborhood Association has submitted a draft set of district-specific design guidelines which are intended to 1) provide clear guidance for residents, 2) elaborate on the historic context of River Road, and 3) provide more concise guidance on important issues like new construction and additions. If approved by City Council, the new guidelines will supplement the existing, Citywide Historic Design Guidelines and apply to all properties located within the River Road Historic District. 

NEXT STEP: The proposed guidelines require review and approval by the Historic and Design Review Commission at a future public hearing. This page will be updated with hearing date and time when they become available. A current draft is provided below.

• River Road Historic District Design Guidelines Manual - Draft ^(PDF)

Mission Historic District Design Manual

Adopted by Council on December 13, 2018, the Mission Historic District Design Manual acts as district-specific design guidelines for the Mission Historic District, serves as a consolidated resource for design requirements within District, articulates the unique and character-defining features of the district, and demonstrates best-practices concerning land development in sensitive are.

• Mission Historic District Design Manual ^(PDF)

School of Aerospace Medicine Historic District Design Guidelines

Adopted by Council on October 3, 2013, the School of Aerospace Medicine Design Guidelines recognize the historic importance of the Brooks School of Aerospace Medicine Campus and San Antonio’s legacy in the development of the Man-in-Space Program. They also encourage sensitive development that conforms to the setting of existing buildings, the conservation of historic resources, and investment in the campus.  The former Brooks School of Aerospace Medicine is a local historic district.

• School of Aerospace Medicine Design Guidelines ^(PDF)

Downtown Design Guide

The HDRC reviews projects in the Downtown Business District using the Downtown Design Guide. The DDG informs the design of new towers, infill projects, parking structures, and more.

• View the Downtown Design Guide ^(PDF)
• Downtown Design Guide Administration Policy ^(PDF)