Apply for a Certificate of Appropriateness for an Existing Structure
Want to make exterior changes, improvements, or repairs to a historic structure? Submit your proposal here. This application includes additions, alterations, improvements and repairs on properties in a Historic District or on a Historic Landmark.
Step Two: Determine Scope of Project
Projects will either need to be approved by city staff or the Historic Preservation Commission.
Historic Preservation Commission
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.
Staff Approval
If your project only requires staff approval, you can skip this step.
Call our office to explain your project, and we'll let you know which approval your project needs.
Call the Planning Department at 616.456.4100
Step Three: Gather Information and 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 Three: Submit Your Application
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.
What happens next?
After the hearing, the Historic Preservation Commission will approve or deny your proposal.
If the commission approves your project, they will 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.
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