The District is particularly fortunate in having more than 1000 buildings which are of sufficient quality or interest to justify inclusion in the Tendring Listed Buildings Register Buildings are listed as being of "special architectural or historic interest" by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport in conjunction with English Heritage. The great majority are Grade II but a small number of buildings are listed Grade I, or II* which make them nationally important.

Proposals to demolish, alter (including internal alterations) or extend a Listed Building require "Listed Building Consent". It may be necessary to obtain Planning Permission and Listed Building Consent before work can commence. In some cases the Council has to consult English Heritage and the Department of Communities and Local government before issuing a decision. Occasionally, the Department refers a decision on a Listed Building to "Communities and Local Government".

The Council is currently unable to offer grants towards the repair of listed buildings. However from time to time specific schemes are introduced in partnership with other agencies to provide grant aid to historic buildings in certain localities. Currently there is a Townscape Heritage Initiative in operation in part of Dovercourt. (See below for details)

Essex County Council maintain a "Buildings at Risk Register" which contains listed buildings which are in a poor state of repair through neglect or decay over time. The Council will consider whether to take action to secure the repair of these buildings using the various powers available.