1. (a) Application reports. It is important in the case of more complex historic preservation projects such as restoration, reconstruction, and, occasionally, for rehabilitation to ensure the historical accuracy or appropriateness of that project and to gather important information relating to the property through the means of investigation, research, and documentation. When the scope of a project indicates it is advisable, one or more of the following application reports may be required to be submitted as a part of the permit application. A permit may not be issued before all required application reports have been received. All application reports must be prepared under the supervision of professionally qualified individuals as specified in §26.5 of this title (relating to Definitions).

   1. (1) Historic structure report.

      1. (A) Purpose. This report should be utilized to evaluate the existing conditions of the structure, to establish preservation objectives for the property, and to schedule the accomplishment of these preservation objectives. The applicability of the various areas for research and analysis will vary, depending upon the preservation objectives and the physical condition of the historic property.
      2. (B) When required. When a proposed rehabilitation, restoration, or reconstruction project involves fabricating significant missing architectural or landscape features, recapturing the appearance of a property at one particular period of its history, or removing later additions, an historic structure report must be completed prior to application for an historic preservation permit.

      3. (C) Minimum report requirements. Written documentation must include the following:

         1. (i) explanation and evaluation of existing conditions;
         2. (ii) photographic documentation of the existing conditions (preferably black and white 8 by 10 inch photograph);
         3. (iii) explanation of preservation objectives and intended modifications to the structure; and
         4. (iv) blueprints of the existing condition and a schedule of objectives.

   2. (2) Historical documentation.

      1. (A) Purpose. In order to understand the changes to an historic property over time and to better justify proposed action, documentary research is important.
      2. (B) When required. When a proposed rehabilitation, restoration, or reconstruction project involves fabricating significant missing architectural or landscaping features, recapturing the appearance of a property at one particular period of its history, or removing later additions, historical documentation must be done. Historical documentation is required for all relocation or demolition permits.

      3. (C) Minimum report requirements. Written documentation must include the following:

         1. (i) name of original architect;
         2. (ii) brief history of the use and modifications to the structure;
         3. (iii) brief history including information on important historical events or persons associated with the structure; and
         4. (iv) historical justifications for any proposed rehabilitation, restoration, or reconstruction.

   3. (3) Architectural documentation.

      1. (A) Purpose. Investigation and documentation of physical evidence regarding architectural design and technology enables the study of the structure in question and its comparison with other structures of the period, type, or region. This information is important in conjunction with historical and archeological documentation for the synthesis and study of all related materials.
      2. (B) When required. Architectural documentation should precede any work which will damage, alter, or obscure significant architectural configurations, elements, details, or materials. For rehabilitation which will significantly alter a structure and for restoration projects, measured drawings according to Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) standards will be required. Architectural documentation is required for all relocation or demolition permits.

      3. (C) Minimum report requirements. Written documentation must include the following:

         1. (i) one copy of project drawings and specifications of the intended architectural changes; and
         2. (ii) explanation of purposes and objectives of the changes.

   4. (4) Archeological documentation.

      1. (A) Purpose. Almost all standing structures have an archeological component, and archeological remains exist in urban areas as well as rural areas. The information available from archeological investigations in and around a structure is important in conjunction with architectural and historical documentation for the synthesis and study of all related material.
      2. (B) When required. When development or historic preservation treatment of an historic property makes disturbance of the earth unavoidable, the specific areas affected may need to be tested archeologically to determine if the undertaking will disturb or destroy archeological remains, including subsurface features of an aboveground structure. If the exploratory tests indicate the area has archeological value and if the development plans cannot be altered, the archeological data directly affected by the project are to be recovered.

2. (b) Project reports. When the situation indicates it is advisable, one or more of the following project reports may be required to be compiled during the course of a project and submitted along with the completion report. All project reports must be compiled under the supervision of professionally qualified individuals as specified in §26.5 of this title (relating to Definitions).

   1. (1) Architectural documentation. When investigation and documentation is not possible prior to commencement of work because of physical obstruction, or when previously obscured conditions are subsequently discovered, architectural documentation may be required during the course of a project (see paragraph (3) of this subsection).
   2. (2) Archeological documentation. When investigation and documentation are not possible prior to commencement of work because of physical obstruction, or when previously obscured evidence is subsequently discovered, archeological documentation may be required during the course of a project. Archeological documentation may be required for relocation or demolition permits (see paragraph (4) of this subsection).

   3. (3) Curation report.

      1. (A) Purpose. Materials or artifacts original to the structure or otherwise significant to that structure's evolution are important to the understanding of Texas culture and history.
      2. (B) When required. When materials or artifacts original to the structure or otherwise significant to the structure's history are removed during the course of a project, selected samples must be curated at the site or at a site approved by the committee, and a curation report must be filed.

      3. (C) Minimum report requirements. Written documentation must include the following:

         1. (i) photo documentation of the structural or architectural elements to be removed in their original position and in storage;
         2. (ii) documentation of the existing condition of the elements prior to removal; and
         3. (iii) documentation of the storage (preservation) efforts.

   4. (4) Completion report.

      1. (A) Purpose. When work is done to an historic structure, it is important to record the changes that take place so that the structure's historic evolution might be completely documented for future study.
      2. (B) When required. All historic structures permits, except for new structures permit, will require a completion report.

      3. (C) Minimum report requirements. Written documentation must include the following:

         1. (i) title page:

            1. (I) project name;
            2. (II) city, county;
            3. (III) permit number;
            4. (IV) date;

         2. (ii) text:

            1. (I) property name and location;

            2. (II) primary personnel (names, titles, addresses, and telephone numbers):

               (-a-) owner;

               (-b-) lessee;

               (-c-) architect;

               (-d-) engineer;

               (-e-) contractor;

               (-f-) consultant(s);

               (-g-) others;

            3. (III) scope of work (major categories with corresponding costs);
            4. (IV) project dates (beginning and ending);

            5. (V) project narrative;

               (-a-) description of work and description of anticipated future work (if any) ;

               (-b-) description of special products, materials, and/or building techniques;

               (-c-) description of intended use of the property; and

            6. (VI) index to photographs (black and white prints, minimum 8 by 10 inches);

               (-a-) before construction conditions;

               (-b-) during construction;

               (-c-) after construction is complete.

      4. (D) Photographic record. The photographic documentation is a significant part of the record of the project work. Each view, before, during, and after, should be of the same area, to clearly illustrate the project work as it progresses.
      5. (E) Report submittal. Submit all required copies with original photographic documentation; Xerox copies are not acceptable. All completion reports must be submitted unbound. Submit copies to Texas Historical Commission, P.O. Box 12276, Capitol Station, Austin, Texas 78711-2276.

Source Note:The provisions of this §26.25 adopted to be effective June 24, 1988, 13 TexReg 2913; transferred effective August 30, 1995, as published in the Texas Register October 17, 1995, 20 TexReg 8442; amended to be effective June 26, 1996, 21 TexReg 5437.