Courthouse Preservation

The Courthouse Preservation Program provides technical assistance to counties and regulatory review of work on county courthouses and their squares to preserve the historic county courthouses of Texas. The program team consists of a program coordinator, program specialist, and four regional Courthouse Program Reviewers. Courthouse program reviewers evaluate work that exceeds basic maintenance proposed on "any building that serves or has served as a county courthouse' under “Courthouse Law” or Section 442.008 of the Texas Government Code and under other protections such as preservation easements and historic designations. Historic designations include the Recorded Texas Historic Landmark (RTHL), listing on the National Register (NR) and the State Antiquities Landmark (SAL). Counties with a courthouse designated as an SAL must obtain an SAL permit for work beyond basic maintenance on the exterior and interior public spaces. Within the Courthouse Preservation Program are the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program (THCPP), which provides grants to restore courthouses, and the Texas Historic Courthouse Stewardship Program (THCSP) which educates county courthouse stewards on best courthouse maintenance practices. If you have any questions about the specific protections for your county courthouse, please contact your county’s Courthouse Program Reviewer.