COA Process

CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATED REVIEW PROCESS

Required for local districts and local landmarks

DOWNLOAD THE COA APPLICATION (pdf form)

In order to protect historic neighborhoods or landmarks such as yours, the City’s Historic Preservation Ordinance establishes a design review requirement to ensure that modifications to the appearance of properties are congruous with the special character of the historic districts and landmarks. Thus no one may erect, alter, restore, move, or demolish the exterior portion of any building or other structure, nor undertake significant modifications to landscaping and other site features, without a certificate of appropriateness (COA). The COA must be approved prior to the commencement of work.

For your scheduling purposes, please be aware that the Commission meets at 5:00 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month. Applications to be reviewed by the Commission are first scheduled for consideration by, and a recommendation from, the Design Review Advisory Committee (DRAC), which meets at 5:00 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month. In order for your application to be considered by DRAC, it should be submitted to the Commission Coordinator at least one week prior to the first Wednesday of the month.

PROCEDURES FOR REVIEWING APPLICATIONS FOR CERTIFICATES OF APPROPRIATENESS

A certificate of appropriateness (COA) is a document issued by the Hendersonville Historic Preservation Commission indicating that, in the opinion of the Commission, proposed improvements are not incongruous with the historic character of historic districts or landmarks.

Exterior portions of any building or structure on property which lies within historic district boundaries or has been listed as a locally designated landmark may not be materially altered, restored, moved or demolished unless a COA has been issued.

A property owner who is considering changes to the exterior of his or her property should contact the Historic Preservation Commission by calling (828) 697-3088 and asking to speak to the Commission Coordinator or by writing P.O. Box 1670, Hendersonville, North Carolina 28793, to determine if a COA is required for the project.

TYPES OF PROJECTS

Normal Maintenance

Normal maintenance or repair does not require a COA where no change is made to the appearance of a building or grounds.  The property owner may make changes which fall into the following categories without application to the Historic Preservation Commission:

• painting;
• replacement of window glass (but not style or type of window);
• caulking and weather-stripping;
• minor landscaping, including vegetable and flower gardens, shrubbery, side and rear yard trees;
• light pruning of trees and shrubbery, and removal of trees less than 6" in diameter;
• repairs to walks, patios, fences and driveways as long as replacement materials match the original or existing materials in detail and color;
• replacement of small amounts of missing or deteriorated original or existing siding, trim, roof coverings, porch flooring, steps, etc., as long as replacement materials match the original or existing materials in detail and color;
• installation of gutters and downspouts as long as the color matches the house trim color;
• temporary signs such as real estate, political, etc.;
• installation of house numbers and mailboxes which are compatible with the original in style, size and material;
• repair of existing street or yard lighting.

Minor Works

Minor works projects require a COA;  however, minor works can be approved by the Coordinator of the Historic Preservation Commission, or the Coordinator's designee, if the proposed work is consistent with the Hendersonville Design Review Guidelines.  The Coordinator, or designee, will meet with the property owner to determine if the proposed work is major or minor.  If the Coordinator determines that the project constitutes a major work, an application for a COA must be presented to the Commission for review.  Minor work projects include various projects in which the visual character of the structure or ground is not substantially changed, including, but not limited to, the following:

Fences and Walls:  Fences or low walls of wood, stone, brick or cast iron, which comply with the Design Guidelines; chain link fences may be permitted in side or rear yards if they cannot easily be seen from a street.

Landscaping Projects:  Heavy pruning or removal of hedges, large shrubs or trees 6" and larger in diameter; construction or replacement of brick or stone retaining walls; construction or replacement of patios which cannot easily be seen from a street; walks and driveways made of brick, stone, concrete or gravel; removal of dead or diseased trees or trees where the roots or limbs are causing damage to a house; new parking areas which are located to the rear of buildings, are not easily visible from a street, and which are screened from adjoining properties with fencing or plant materials.

New Roof Coverings:  Replacement of asphalt or fiberglass roof coverings with new dark color asphalt or fiberglass shingles; replacement of slate or tile roof covering where there is no change in materials.

Installation of Mechanical and Utility Equipment:  Installation of mechanical and utility equipment including but not limited to heating and air conditioning units which cannot easily be seen from a street or which are screened from view with shrubbery or appropriate fencing.

Foundation Repairs:  Repair or replacement of masonry foundations where the original foundation material is retained or where new material matches the original as closely as possible; installation of metal foundation vents (on sides and rear only) and replacement of wood access doors which cannot easily be seen from a street.

Masonry Repairs:  Repainting and other masonry repairs when the color and composition of the mortar matches the original and new brick or stone matches the original as closely as possible.

Exterior Lighting Fixtures:  Lighting fixtures which cannot easily be seen from a street or are similar to those existing in the District.

Small Identification Signs:  Signs made of wood or metal nine square feet or smaller in size.
 
Removal of Artificial Siding:  Total removal of asbestos, asphalt or other artificial siding when the original siding is to be repaired and repainted.  Replacement with siding other than the original constitutes a major work.

Replacement of Exterior Stairs, Landing and Steps:  Repair or replacement of exterior stairs or steps which are made of masonry, rock or painted wood and are similar to styles found in the District. 

Replacement of Missing Details:  Replacement of missing or deteriorated siding and trim, porch floors, ceilings, columns and balustrade or other architectural details with new materials identical to the original details.

Removal of Accessory Buildings:  Removal of deteriorated accessory buildings which are not original to the site or otherwise historically significant and which cannot be easily seen from a street.

Other Minor Construction:  Other minor construction not easily visible from a street.

Major Works

Major works projects must be approved by the Historic Preservation Commission. In general, these are projects which involve a change in the appearance of a building or landscape and which are more substantial in nature than minor work projects. They include, but are not limited to, the following:

• new construction or additions to buildings;
• demolition of any part of a structure;
• discovery of any archaeological resource on the site;
• moving of buildings;
• signs larger than nine square feet;
• new accessory buildings;
• parking lots (other than normal driveways);
• replacement of architectural details when there will be a change in design or materials from the original or existing details;
• changes to roof lines;
• exterior fire exits;
• minor works items not approved by the staff of the Historic Preservation Commission.