Water management is usually the underlying story
Preservation rarely reaches structural repair; stormwater is the more relevant record because Piedmont clay drives most local movement through moisture change. Clay swells when wet and shrinks when dry, so how water arrives at and leaves the foundation is frequently the cause rather than a contributing factor. On a designated property, exterior work to correct drainage may still attract review.
Official sources
Establish the moisture regime before any repair
Citywide records cannot tell you where water reaches your foundation, your parcel's designation status, or what is actually moving. Establish the first two with the city and the third with an engineer not selling the repair.
Research date
Sources reviewed June 20, 2026. External requirements and maps can change.