What is a Certificate of Appropriateness?
The Commission’s primary regulatory responsibility is to prevent changes to landmark’s that would not be keeping with the special character of the landmark’s designation. An owner proposing changes to a historic landmark must apply to the Commission for a Certificate of Appropriateness. Proposed changes requiring a Certificate of Appropriateness include alteration; restoration, reconstruction; relocation; or demolition. No building permit can be issued until the Commission has approved a Certificate Of Appropriateness.
Local historic districts have preservation ordinances requiring proposed work on designated historic properties be reviewed by a local historic preservation commission or design review board. When the board reviews and approves proposed changes to a historic building, they issue a “Certificate of Appropriateness,” a document stating that the proposed work is appropriate for the historic district and meets local code criteria. Contact your city government’s preservation official for specific information about what is needed for a Certificate of Appropriateness, the design review process, and to obtain an application for proposed exterior work. For more information, please visit the National Park Service’s website.
