Certificates of Appropriateness
When undertaking alterations to a historic property, it is likely a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) will be required to ensure the work is being undertaken appropriately. In most cases, a COA is required only for work performed to the exterior of structures; however, in some instances a review is required for interior alterations. It is highly recommended that a COA is applied for prior to submitting a building permit application and certainly before any work is undertaken.
Histórica has extensive experience in reviewing and applying for COAs for a wide range of property types and projects. Whether replacing a front door or relocating a historic structure, progressing through the COA process efficiently can result in significant time and cost savings for any historic preservation project. It is important to note that COA requirements often differ between municipalities.
Please see below for further information on the types of projects that may require submittal of a COA application.
Preservation
Preservation is the protection of a building’s materials and form through ongoing repair and maintenance. This will prolong the life of the historic fabric and help to prevent more serious problems such as water damage from occurring.
Reconstruction
Reconstruction includes replacing missing portions of a structure, rebuilding a structure using existing elements, and recreating an entire structure that has been demolished or destroyed by natural causes. All reconstruction should be based on thorough research and documentary evidence.
Restoration
Restoration is taking a historic structure or site back to a particular point in time by removing later alterations or additions and/or replacing significant features that have been removed. All restoration should be based on documentary evidence.
New Construction
COAs for new construction are normally required when a new building is constructed within a historic district. The new structure should be compatible with existing structures in the district and may incorporate elements from these structures, but it is often not necessary to copy existing structures.
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation is when a historic structure or site is altered to meet changing needs while retaining and protecting significant features and historic character. Rehabilitation may involve adding to a historic structure or converting a structure to a new use.
Relocation
Relocation is when a historic structure is moved from one site to another. This is seen as a method of last resort to protect a structure from demolition or loss through natural causes. Where possible, the new site should be similar to the original site to allow the structure to be moved to an appropriate setting