What is a Certificate of Appropriateness and when do I need one?
In order to ensure compatible alterations, demolitions, and new construction, owners of San Francisco Article 10 Landmark buildings and all buildings located within an Article 10 Historic District will need to submit a Certificate of Appropriateness (C of A). C of A’s are only required for Article 10 historic resources and are not required for buildings listed in the California or National Registers. C of A’s are reviewed by the Historic Preservation Commission to ensure that Article 10 resources are preserved and that alterations, demolitions and new construction are compatible with existing historic resources. Please note that C of A’s are not required for ordinary maintenance and repairs – i.e., work done solely to correct deterioration, decay, or damage – if the replacement materials and details are in-kind. To learn more about C of A’s, see Preservation Bulletin No. 4.
