Certificate of Appropriateness

About the COA

A Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) must be obtained prior to any environmental change to a property within a designated historic district, including the Old West End. (Ch. 1111.1100; Ch. 1103.0306)

An “environmental change” is defined as: any exterior alteration, demolition, removal or new construction of any property, requiring or not requiring a building permit subject to the historic overlay provisions of the Zoning Code. (Ch. 1103.0302) 

“Alter” or “alteration” is defined as: any change requiring a building permit involving the exterior architectural features, including significant landscaping, or any property which lies within a historic district, not including demolition, removal or new construction.  (Ch. 1103.0302)

The application for a Certificate of Appropriateness is reviewed by the OWE Historic District Commission using the guidelines as set forth in the U.S. Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. (Sec. 1103.0306(A); adopted pursuant to Sec. 1112.0109). The standards can be accessed here. Compliance with these standards is required for all historic landmarks and districts. 

Some applications can be approved administratively. Which means you can receive your COA without having to present to the OWEHC. Click here to view approval list.  Administrative approvals require an application and supporting information on work that will be performed to the property. 

How to Apply

1) DETERMINE IF YOU LIVE IN THE HISTORIC DISTRICT

2) Create a COA ApplicatioN

3) submit APPLICATION to the Plan Commission.

NOTE: Everyone is required to create a profile via the online portal. Once YOU do that, YOU’LL attach YOUR documents.

4) ATTEND DISTRICT COMMISSION MEETING