Applications

New accessory structures in the historic districts are major work and require approval from the Commission. If you would like to propose changes to existing accessory structures, please contact staff to determine if it will need an application to the Commission. 

Things to consider when designing new accessory structures:

• Accessory structures should be located in the back yard, out of sight from the street or sidewalk if feasible.
• Accessory structures must be subordinate in scale and design to the historic building.
• Materials and dimensions must be compatible with the historic district.

Please include in your application:

• photos of existing conditions
• site plan showing site features (garage, driveway, house footprint, fences, etc.) and dimensions
• elevation drawings of proposed accessory structure, including dimensions
• materials description and dimensions (as appropriate) for cladding, roofing, trim, foundation, decking, etc.
• window and/or door cut sheets or information (dimensions, materials, type of window, etc.)

Additions are major work that require approval from the Historic District Commission.

Things to consider when designing an addition:

• Additions should be located on the least character-defining
  elevation (typically the rear elevation to not be visible from the right of way) and should be subordinate in size and scale to the historic building.
• The addition should be compatible with the historic building, but it should be clear what is old and what is new. This is typically done by slightly differentiating the materials (cladding, trim, etc) in dimension.
• The addition should be inset at least 18 inches from the historic building plane to maintain the original corners. The addition should also be lower than the roofline of the historic building. 
• The addition’s footprint should not exceed half of the
  building’s pre-1945 footprint or half of the building’s pre-1945
  total floor area.

Please include in your application:

• Before you apply, reach out to staff to schedule a pre-submission meeting.
• Proposed additions require complete, thorough applications before items will be added to an HDC agenda. Please review the Checklist for Additions and include all materials in your application on STREAM. 

If new egress windows are proposed to be located on the rear elevation, the rear one-third of the side elevations, or not visible from the right of way, the application may approved by staff. Other locations require an application to the Commission.

Things to consider when proposing new or changes to egress windows:

• Windows and wells should be the minimum size required to meet building code requirements for egress.
• If enlarging an existing basement window, if possible make the existing opening deeper but not
  wider to retain the above grade proportion of the window.
• Basement egress windows should be located on the back of the building. Wells on the side near the back will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
• If the egress windows cannot be located on the rear elevation, floorplans should be used to show conditions (such as washers, dryers, furnaces, bathrooms, porches, etc.) that prevent egress windows from being located on the rear elevation. 
• Glass in the proposed window must be at a similar depth from the exterior wall face as the glass in existing basement.

Please include in your application:

• Plot plan showing footprint of house and other structures and driveway, and window well
• Basement floor plan (to scale) including all windows, rooms, mechanical equipment, etc.
• Photos showing elevation where egress window is proposed and close up of area. If an existing window is proposed to be replaced, include a photo of that window.
• Description of existing window, if applicable (dimensions, materials, style, age)
• Description of proposed window (dimensions, materials, style, cut sheet, profile)
• Well materials and dimensions width/depth from house/depth of well/height above grade
• Information on anything else proposed: ladder, well cover, bollards, etc.

The replacement of existing decks (in a matching or smaller size) or the expansion of decks on non-contributing resources may be approved by staff. The replacement of existing patios or the installation of new residential patios that are less than 150 square feet and located at the rear of a building can be approved by staff. Other proposals for decks and patios may require an application to the Commission. 

Things to consider when designing a deck or patio: 

• Patios are paved at grade and decks are raised platforms, typically in the rear yard. If you are proposing a porch (on the street-facing elevation), please see the guidance for porches. 
• If guardrails or handrails are required for your deck, please see the handout for guidance on appropriate designs. 

Please include in your application: 

• Plot/site plan showing the house, garage, driveway, and other site features, including the proposed deck or patio (including dimensions)
• Materials information
• Basic construction drawings, if applicable
• For decks, drawings showing guardrail, handrail, stairs, skirting, etc., if applicable
• For patios, retaining wall height and material information, if applicable

Fences with are generally minor work for staff approval. Front yard fences over 3 feet and backyard fences over 6 feet must be reviewed by the Commission. 

Things to consider when proposing new fencing: 

• Historic fences must be kept and maintained.
• Fences should be located along lot or setback lines. 
• In the front yard, fences should not be taller than 3 feet. In the backyard, fences should not be taller than 6 feet.
• Within 25 feet of an intersection, fences may not exceed a height of 30 inches. 
• Materials and dimensions must be compatible with the property and historic district. Wood is most typical. Metal fences in the front yard may be appropriate for brick structures. Vinyl fences are not considered appropriate.
• Custom designs will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 
• Fences are typically not submitted in the floodplain. 
• A separate Fence Permit Application must also be submitted and approved through STREAM. Fences must meet the requirements of Chapter 104 Fences of City Code. Visit www.a2gov.org/zoning for details. 

Please include in your application:

• Photos of existing conditions
• Plot plan showing site features (garage, driveway, house footprint, existing fences, etc.) and proposed new fence location and length
• Drawing or photo of fence design(s) including proposed fence height and opacity

Typically, new mechanical equipment is minor work that can be approved by staff. 

Things to consider when proposing new mechanical equipment:

• Mechanical equipment and vents should be located behind the building, on a roof, in an attic, or otherwise out of sight from the street.
• It is appropriate to install runs of ducts, pipes, and cables in closets, service rooms, or wall cavities, so that they are not exposed on the exterior of the building.
• Equipment should be installed in such a manner that
  historic materials and features are not damaged or obscured.

Please include in your application:

• photos of the existing conditions
• drawings or photos showing where the new mechanical equipment, line sets, penetrations, etc. will be located
• drawing or photo of mechanical unit and related equipment with dimensions
• information on any mounting pads, brackets, etc. as needed
• if the proposed location is visible from the right of way, please include justification for why the mechanical equipment must be located there (please note that visible mechanical equipment may require approval from the Commission)

New signs are generally minor work for staff approval.

Things to consider when designing signage:

• Signs in historic districts may not be internally illuminated. External illumination can be appropriate if it is a simple design, particularly gooseneck lamps, LED light strips, small spotlight
• Signs must be mounted through masonry joints, not masonry units (brick/block/stone).This must be noted on drawings when applicable. Reusing existing wall penetrations in brick is usually preferable to new penetrations.
• Pedestrian scale blade/bracket signs must not exceed 4.5 square feet per face and must be at least 8 feet from the ground on the first floor.
• Signs should be consolidated for multiple businesses in the same building.
• Signs should be compatible with the historic building, the adjacent buildings, and the overall character of the district. 
• New signs require a separate sign permit through STREAM, and sometimes a separate building building permit and/or electrical permit. Signs must follow regulations in Section 5.24 of the Unified Development Code. See our zoning website for more information on sign regulations. 

Please include in your application:

• Photos of existing conditions
• Rendering of proposed sign, including materials and dimensions
• Mounting description, noting that all fasteners will be through mortar joints and not masonry units, if applicable
• Illustration of proposed sign on the building, including distance from ground and nearby architectural features if appropriate
• Illustration showing alignment with neighboring storefront signs or design elements
• For externally-illuminated signs, a photo or drawing showing the location of conduit and junction box. For a staff approval, junction boxes may not be visible and conduit must be the minimum length necessary. 

The installation of new solar panels is typically a staff approval, if the solar panels are proposed on non-character defining roof surfaces not visible from the street or are black-on-black panels on side facing roof surfaces that are visible from the street. Other proposed locations or colors may require approval from the Commission. 

Things to consider when installing solar panels: 

• Like other mechanical equipment, it is appropriate for solar panels to be installed in locations not visible from the right of way, typically the roof. 
• It is inappropriate to remove or alter the historic roof configuration (dormer, chimneys, or other character-defining features) to add solar panels.
• Solar panels should be black-on-black (black panels with a black border) so they are less visible along the roof surface. 

Please include in your application: 

• A drawing or aerial photo of the roof or lot indicating where the solar panels will be located. 
• Manufacturer's specifications of the system, including dimensions, color, and any additional equipment such as mounting hardware, wiring, etc. 

Windows installed after 1944 or windows in non-contributing structures may be replaced with a staff approval and approved building permit. The windows must fit in existing openings and the type of window and style must be compatible with the structure. For new windows in new or enlarged openings on a non-contributing structure, please contact staff to determine whether a staff approval or commission approval will be required.

Please include in your application: 

• photos of all existing windows proposed to be replaced
• an indication of where the windows are located on the building
• specifications for the new windows (including materials and dimensions)