Comstock Historic District Commission

The Comstock Historic District Commission was created by Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 384 and dates to 1969. This state commission encourages the preservation and promotion of historic resources with the Virginia City National Landmark District, which the state refers to as the Comstock Historic District. The Commission provides Certificates of Appropriateness for projects affecting the exteriors of all buildings within the district, the construction of new structures, and work affecting pavement, retaining walls, signs, and fencing. The Commission also takes a proactive role in encouraging archaeological investigations, the rehabilitation of historic resources, and the preservation of the rich cultural heritage of the Comstock.

Questions?  FAQs here.

Upcoming Meetings

February 4, 2025 at 5:00 PM:  20 North “E” Street  Virginia City NV  89440

Submissions for the February 2025 meeting are due Wednesday, January 22

March 4, 2025, at 5:00 PM:  20 North “E” Street  Virginia City NV  89440

Submissions for the March 2025 meeting are due Wednesday, February 19

Guidelines and Forms

Historic District Design Guidelines

Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness

Application Form Continuation Sheet - attach as many as needed

Materially Affected Property Owner List - submitted with COA application

All applications, forms, and supplemental documents may be submitted electronically to shelley.smith[at]shpo.nv.gov, or by delivering hard copies to the Comstock History Center located at 20 N E St, Virginia City, NV 89440.  Questions? Please contact the Comstock Preservation and History Officer, Shelley Smith, by email: shelley.smith[at]shpo.nv.gov, or by phone: 775-847-0281.

Commission Members

Joseph Curtis, Chair, Appointment July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2027 (Virginia City Resident)

Clay Mitchell, Vice Chair, Appointment July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2027 (Storey County Commission) 

Tammy Hendrix, Appointment June 1, 2024 - June 30, 2027 (Lyon County Commission)

Mercedes De La Garza, Appointment May 1, 2024 - April 30, 2027 (Architect)

David Bates, Appointment July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2027 (Contractor) 

Nancy Cleaves, Appointment July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2027 (Gold Hill Resident) 

Calvin Dillon, Appointment July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2027 (Silver City Resident)  

Julie Workman, Appointment July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2027  (Dayton Resident)

Office Information 

Physical Address:   20 North “E” Street  Virginia City NV 89440

Mailing Address:     P.O. Box 128   Virginia City NV 89440

The Comstock Historic District Commission Office:

Open Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM

The Comstock History Center: 

Open Wednesday to Saturday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Please contact us via email or at (775) 847-0281 during inclement weather, administrative office closures, or with requests for meetings outside of normal business hours.  Our offices are closed in observance of all federal holidays.

Shelley Smith, Comstock Preservation and History Officer
               T: 775-847-0281  Email: shelley.smith[at]shpo.nv.gov
Michael Sprinkle, History Center Manager
               T: 775-847-0419  Email: msprinkle[at]shpo.nv.gov
Matt Jones, Administrative Assistant
               T: 775-847-0281  Email: matt.jones[at]shpo.nv.gov


Previous Meetings:

2025

January 14, 2025 - Agenda and Supporting Materials: Agenda Item 7, Agenda Item 8Agenda Item 9

2024

December 3, 2024 -  Agenda, Approved Minutes, and Supporting Materials: Agenda Item 6Agenda Item 7 COA; Agenda Item 7 Drawings.

November 12, 2024 - Agenda; Approved Minutes; Supporting Materials: COA Fire Station 71 AdditionDraft Fire Station Report

October 1, 2024 - Agenda Supporting Materials: Agenda Item 6; Agenda Item 7; Agenda Item 8; Agenda Item 9 ; Approved Minutes

September 2024 - meeting canceled

August 2024 - meeting canceled

July 10, 2024 - Agenda and Supporting Materials; Approved Minutes

July 10, 2024 - NAC Revisions Adoption Hearing Agenda and Materials; Approved Minutes

June 4, 2024 - Agenda and Supporting Materials: Agenda Item 6  Agenda Item 7  Agenda Item 8  Agenda Item 9 and Minutes

May 7, 2024 - Agenda and Supporting Materials: Agenda Item 6  Agenda Item 7  Agenda Item 8  Agenda Item 9  Agenda Item 10  Agenda Item 11  Agenda Item 12  Agenda Item 13 and Minutes

April 2, 2024  - Agenda and Supporting Materials and Minutes

February 2024 - meeting canceled

January 2024 - meeting canceled

2023

December 2023 - meeting canceled

November 7, 2023 - Agenda and Supporting Materials [Agenda Item 8 drawings] [Agenda Item 9 drawings] [Agenda Item 10 drawings] and Minutes

October 3, 2023  - Agenda and Supporting Materials and Minutes

September 5, 2023  - Agenda and Supporting Materials and Minutes

August 1, 2023 - Agenda and Supporting Materials and Minutes

July 10, 2023  - Agenda and Supporting Materials  and Minutes

June 12, 2023 - Agenda  Supporting Materials and Minutes

May 8, 2023 - Agenda and Supporting Materials and Minutes

April 10, 2023 - Agenda and Minutes

March 13, 2023 - Agenda and Minutes 

February 13, 2023 - Agenda and Minutes

Special Meeting January 11, 2023 at 2:00pm Agenda and Minutes

2022

December 12, 2022 - meeting canceled

November 14, 2022 - meeting canceled

October 17, 2022 - meeting canceled

September 12, 2022 - Agenda and Minutes

August 8, 2022 - meeting canceled

July 11, 2022 - meeting canceled

June 13, 2022 - Agenda

May 9, 2022 - Agenda and Minutes

April 11, 2022 - meeting canceled

March 14, 2022 - meeting canceled

February 14, 2022 - Agenda and Minutes

January 10, 2022 - meeting canceled

2021

December 13, 2021 - meeting canceled

November 8, 2021 - meeting canceled

October 11, 2021 - meeting Agenda and Minutes

September 13, 2021 - meeting Agenda and Minutes

August 9, 2021 5:30 workshop, 6:00 PM meeting Agenda and Minutes

July 19, 2021 - meeting canceled

June 14, 2021 - Agenda and Minutes

May 10, 2021  - Agenda and Minutes

April 12, 2021 - meeting canceled

March 8, 2021 - meeting canceled 

February 8, 2021 - meeting canceled

January 11, 2021 - meeting canceled

2020

December 14, 2020 - meeting canceled

November 9, 2020  - meeting canceled

September 14, 2020 - meeting canceled

August 10, 2020 - meeting canceled

July 13, 2020 - meeting canceled

June 8, 2020 - meeting canceled

May 11, 2020 - meeting canceled

April 13, 2020 - meeting canceled

March 9, 2020 - Agenda, Minutes

February 10, 2020 - meeting canceled

January 13, 2020 - Agenda, Minutes

2019

December 16, 2019  - meeting canceled

November 11, 2019 - Agenda

October 14, 2019 - Agenda

September 16, 2019 - meeting canceled

August 12, 2019 - Agenda

July 15, 2019 - Agenda

June 17, 2019 - meeting canceled

May 13, 2019 - Agenda

April 8, 2019 - Agenda

March, 2019 - meeting canceled

February, 2019 - meeting canceled

January 14, 2019 - Agenda

* Award-winning Photo of Virginia City Courtesy of Liz Huntington