Design Guidelines & Policy

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.
  • 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.

Guías de Diseño

Las Guías de Diseño Histórico adoptadas están disponibles en los enlaces a continuación. También se pueden encontrar copias impresas en las siguientes bibliotecas públicas: Central, Landa, San Pedro, Mission, Carver, y Bazan.

Guías de Política

En septiembre de 2022, la Comisión de Revisión de Diseño e Historia aprobó seis guías de políticas para brindar a los clientes orientación adicional en el proceso de revisión. Se pretende que las guías de políticas coincidan con las Pautas de diseño histórico adoptadas por el Concejo Municipal y brinden a los clientes ejemplos más ilustrativos de trabajos que son elegibles para aprobación administrativa o una recomendación positiva al HDRC. Vea o descargue las guías a continuación:

District-Specific Guidelines

River Road Historic District Design Guidelines - Draft(PDF, 10MB)

The River Road Neighborhood Association has submitted a draft set of district-specific design guidelines which are intended to:

  • provide clear guidance for residents.
  • elaborate on the historic context of River Road.
  • 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.

The proposed guidelines require review and approval by the HDRC at a future public hearing.

Mission Historic District Design Manual(PDF, 7MB)

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 the district, articulates the unique and character-defining features of the district, and demonstrates best practices concerning land development in sensitive areas.

School of Aerospace Medicine Historic District Design Guidelines(PDF, 50MB)

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.

Downtown Design Guide(PDF, 7MB)

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

Downtown Design Guide Administrative Policy(PDF, 54KB)

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