Certificate of Appropriateness-COA

According to the city’s Historic Properties and Districts Ordinance, no material change in the exterior appearance of a historic property, or of a structure, site, object or work of art within the historic district, shall be made or permitted to be made until an application for a certificate of appropriateness (COA) has been submitted to and approved by the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC). A material change in appearance is defined by this ordinance as a change that will affect the exterior architectural or environmental features of a historic property or any building, structure, site, object, landscape feature or work of art within the district, such as:

1. Reconstruction or alteration of the size, shape or facade of a historic property including relocation of any doors or windows or removal or alteration of any architectural features, detail or elements;

2. Demolition or relocation of a historic structure;

3. Commencement of excavation for construction purposes;

4. A change in the location of advertising visible from the public right-of-way; or

5. The erection, alteration, restoration or removal of any building or other structure within a historic property or district, including walls, fences, steps, and pavements or other appurtenant features.