Certificate of Appropriateness

These application forms are to be used by the owners of homes and other structures that have been locally designated as historic.  The “Application for Certificate of Appropriateness, Long Form” is the “default” form to be used in all instances in which (1) “major” work is being proposed; (2) minor work is being proposed and a review is required of that proposed work by the full Historic Preservation Commission; or (3) you are uncertain as to whether the work proposed is properly characterized as minor or major work.  The “Short Form Application for Certificate of Appropriateness, Minor Work/Expedited Review” is a new form that allows for expedited review of proposed work that is of such an insignificant nature that it will have negligible impact on the historic nature of the structure.  An example of work that may qualify for such review includes the replacement of exterior elements made of material that looks similar but may be different from that which is being replaced. 

After the adoption of certain substantial amendments to the Historic Preservation ordinance of the Town, and in keeping with the Mayor and Town Council’s belief that the requirements applicable to those owning historic structures when they desire to make changes and improvements to those structures should not be onerous, but should rather allow for the review of those changes and improvements in the most efficient, clearest, uncomplicated, and inexpensive manner possible, a further amendment was adopted that allows for a faster and simpler review process for minor applications for locally designated properties.  General Ordinance 2204 sets forth that simpler process.