Does the owner of a building in a local historic district need to get approval from the City before doing any exterior repair and improvement?
Yes. The owner needs to contact the City of Buffalo Preservation Board CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS – A certificate issued by the Preservation Board or the Common Council approving plans for alteration, construction, removal or demolition of a landmark, an improvement on a landmark site or a structure within an historic district. (Source: Chapter XIII of the City of Buffalo Charter and Ordinances, 1974) CERTIFICATE OF EXCEPTION – A certificate issued by the Preservation Board or the Common Council approving plans for alteration, construction, removal or demolition of a landmark, an improvement on a landmark site or a structure in an historic district where these plans do not meet the standards for a certificate of appropriateness. (Source: Chapter XIII of the City of Buffalo Charter and Ordinances, 1974) CERTIFICATE OF NO EFFECT – A certificate issued by the Preservation Board or its Secretary indicating that proposed plans having no effect on the exterior of a landmark, an improveme
