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Before Submitting an Application
Is Your Property Locally Designated?
Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) zoning permit approvals are only required for exterior changes to a locally designated historic property. To determine whether your property is located within a local historic district or is a Raleigh Historic Landmark, follow the instructions on the main COA webpage.
Prepare Application Materials
Each property and project is different – it can be tough to know what information you need for a complete application. As you consider what materials to include, put yourself in the shoes of someone unfamiliar with your property and project. Describe the project in detail, including dimensions, materials, and any additional information you believe helpful.
To evaluate a project, City staff needs to know the exact materials, appearance and size of components, colors, how things fit together, and where everything is located. Make it clear what exists versus what is proposed.
Application Materials
An application will not be considered complete until the following required items have been submitted:
TYPE | DESCRIPTION |
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Required for ALL Submittals |
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Required for Most Projects |
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Required for Some Projects |
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Submittal Instructions
At this step, your application materials should be ready to assemble. Applications and fees must be submitted online using a registered account in the City’s online Permit and Development Portal.
The system requires three attachments at the time of submittal: the COA application form, a written description, and current property photographs. You can add as many other attachments as needed to provide a complete application. All forms, plans, and supporting documents must be attached as PDFs, Word documents, or JPEGs. Links to online products you wish to install will not be accepted.
Staff will contact you via email once the application is submitted and the fee is paid. A delay in review time may occur if additional documentation is required.
Project Review and Permitting
Expected Processing Time
Minor Work COA applications are reviewed and approved administratively by staff on a rolling basis. Applications generally take 10 business days to process. Reviews can take longer depending on the completeness of the application (see the submittal guide above).
Applications are approved when the proposed work is not incongruous with the special character of the historic district or landmark and meets the Design Guidelines for Raleigh Historic Districts and Landmarks. Staff will work with the applicant to modify the project to meet these standards when possible.
Staff cannot deny a COA request. If staff determines the proposed work to be substantial in nature, not clearly in keeping with the special character of the district and the Design Guidelines, or potentially precedent-setting, the application will be converted to a Major Work COA for review by the COA Committee at their monthly meeting.
Post Approval
After approval, staff will contact the applicant via email and mail the COA blue placard (the zoning permit) to the mailing address listed on the application form. A copy of the COA placard is also attached to the case in the online portal.
Approved Minor Work COA cases dating from 2013 are available on the Development Approvals page. Full physical property files for earlier cases are also available for review by appointment.
The applicant must post the placard on the project site in public view while performing the approved work. The placard must be submitted with your materials to obtain any other required permits.
Inactive Applications
Applications that have incomplete information will kept open for up to six months. After six months, the COA application will be considered invalid, and the application will be voided.
Paying Fees
Application fees are due at the time of submittal. Project review will not begin until the fee is paid.
- Submittals are made using the Permit and Development Portal.
- The Development Fee Guide provides specific fees associated with the defined project type (minor work, major work, additions greater than 25% of building square footage, new building, demolition, after-the-fact).
- The Customer Service Center processes payments or you may pay via the Permit Portal.
- Payment types include Cash, MasterCard, Visa, or check made payable to the City of Raleigh.