Apply for a Certificate of Appropriateness for an Existing Structure

Step 1.Review the guidelines

Review the Historical Preservation Commission Guidelines(PDF, 13MB). 

Step 2.Determine the scope of your project

Projects will either need to be approved by city staff or the Historic Preservation Commission. Call our office to explain your project, and we'll let you know which approval your project needs. 

Step 3.Review the hearing dates

If your project requires a Historic Commission hearing, you'll need to choose a meeting date. You can view the schedule online here. Your application needs to be submitted before the filing date of your preferred meeting.

If your project only requires staff approval, you can skip this step.

Step 4.Gather information and supporting materials

Whether you're submitting your application through staff or commission, you'll need to gather some additional materials

Submitting supporting materials with your application helps the commission and/or staff understand the project and helps the application process go smoothly

Some common supporting documents include:

• Photos of the entire structure in current condition from the street. These should be labeled with the address and date of photo
• Current close up photos of areas proposed for changes. These should also be labeled with address and date
• Elevation drawings of any side of the structure proposed for changes
• Scaled drawings of any single architectural details. Examples: windows, door entrance, roof cornice
• Materials list, including size and type of material
• Physical samples of materials to be installed. These help show the color, texture, and scale of new materials

Step 5.Download and fill out the form

You'll need to fill out some information about yourself, your property, and your project. You can download the form below.

Download the English version here(PDF, 172KB)

Step 6.Drop off your completed application with fee

Attach your supporting materials to your application. Our address is in the Contact Us section on this page.

Each application requires a non-refundable fee.

Step 7.We'll review your application

This is where we'll determine if your project needs to be approved by city staff or commission. If staff can approve it, we'll issue your Certificate of Appropriateness (COA). Once you have proper permits for your project, you can begin your work!

If your project needs Historic Preservation Commission  approval, city staff will place it on your chosen meeting date. If the date is full, they'll work with you to schedule your hearing for the next available meeting.

Step 8.Historic Preservation Commission will review your project

If the commission approves your project, they'll issue a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA). Once you have proper permits for your project, you can begin your work!

If the commission denies your project, you can either revise your request and resubmit, or appeal to the State Historic Preservation Review Board.

Step 1.Review the guidelines

Review the Historical Preservation Commission Guidelines(PDF, 13MB). 

Step 2.Determine the scope of your project

Projects will either need to be approved by city staff or the Historic Preservation Commission. Call our office to explain your project, and we'll let you know which approval your project needs. 

Step 3.Review the hearing dates

If your project requires a Historic Commission hearing, you'll need to choose a meeting date. You can view the schedule online here. Your application needs to be submitted before the filing date of your preferred meeting.

If your project only requires staff approval, you can skip this step.

Step 4.Gather information and supporting materials

Whether you're submitting your application through staff or commission, you'll need to gather some additional materials

Submitting supporting materials with your application helps the commission and/or staff understand the project and helps the application process go smoothly

Some common supporting documents include:

• Photos of the entire structure in current condition from the street. These should be labeled with the address and date of photo
• Current close up photos of areas proposed for changes. These should also be labeled with address and date
• Elevation drawings of any side of the structure proposed for changes
• Scaled drawings of any single architectural details. Examples: windows, door entrance, roof cornice
• Materials list, including size and type of material
• Physical samples of materials to be installed. These help show the color, texture, and scale of new materials

Step 5.Visit our office to apply and pay the fee

Our address is listed in the Contact Us section of this page. Make sure to bring your supporting materials in with you.

Each application requires a non-refundable fee.

We'll review your application

This is where we'll determine if your project needs to be approved by city staff or commission. If staff can approve it, we'll issue your Certificate of Appropriateness. Once you have proper permits for your project, you can begin your work!

If your project needs Historic Preservation Commission approval, city staff will place it on your chosen meeting date. If the date you chose isn't available, they will work with you to place it on the next available meeting.

Step 6.Historic Preservation Commission will review your project

If the commission approves your project, they will issue a Certificate of Appropriateness. Once you have proper permits for your project, you can begin your work!

If the commission denies your project, you can either revise your request and resubmit, or appeal to the State Historic Preservation Review Board.