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Before You Begin
Is a COA Needed?
The application must be for exterior work involving a Raleigh Historic Landmark or property in a Historic Overlay District. To determine if exterior changes to your property require a Certificate of Appropriateness, use the iMAPS web application.
The layers to activate are the General Historic Overlay District (HOD-G), Streetside Historic Overlay District (HOD-S), and RHL Polygons.
Design Review Standards
Read the Design Guidelines for Raleigh Historic Districts and Landmarks to ensure the proposed work complies with them PRIOR to applying for a COA.
Minor Work or Major Work?
Applicants are encouraged to review the Certificate of Appropriateness List of Work to determine whether their project is classified as "minor work" or "major work.”
Pre-application Discussion
A virtual meeting with staff is recommended prior to submitting your Major Work COA Application.
Key Steps in the Process
- Applications and fees must be submitted via a registered account in the Permit and Development Portal.
- After submission, staff will make an initial review to determine completeness and if any additional information is required to make a decision. A delay in review time may occur if additional documentation is required.
- Complete Minor Work applications.
- Complete Major Work applications are placed on the next COA Committee agenda, based upon which COA application deadline date they meet.
Submittal Requirements
Type | Description |
Required for Submittal |
|
Required for Some Projects |
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Recommended for a Successful Review |
|
Expected Processing Time
- Applications for Minor Work generally take 10 business days upon receipt of complete application to process.
- Applications for Major Work usually take between 30 to 60 business days to process, depending upon the complexity of the project and whether or not the application is detailed enough that conditions for further staff review are not placed upon the approval. In rare exceptions where an applicant has difficulty fulfilling conditions or supplying information needed by the committee to make a decision, this time period may be extended up to 180 days.
Fees
- Application fees are due at the time of submittal.
- Submittals are made using the Permit and Development Portal
- 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).
Minor Work Process
- Applications for Minor Work generally take 10 business days upon receipt of complete application to process.
- Minor Work applications are approved by historic preservation staff upon determining that the proposed work meets the Design Guidelines for Raleigh Historic Districts and Landmarks, or after working with the applicant to modify the project to meet these standards.
- After approval, staff will contact the applicant via email regarding mailing of the COA blue placard to address listed on the application. The applicant must then post this placard on site in public view while performing the approved work.
- Any Minor Work application that staff is unable to approve due to conflict with the Design Guidelines must be converted to a Major Work application for review by the COA Committee.