No. The Historic Preservation Ordinance chapter 17.32, does not require you to restore your building or to make improvements when you don’t have any plans to do so. Further, making a newer building look old is not required – in fact, it is contrary to the guidelines. If you decide to improve your property or carry out repairs, the ordinance requires the project to be consistent with the overall architectural character of the building and the district as a whole.
There is no specific rule prohibiting certain types of materials on buildings in the Historic District. This applies to siding, doors, windows, fences, or any other structure.
Decisions on the use of materials in the Historic District are made on a case-by-case basis by the Historic Preservation Commission. The Commission assesses each individual proposal against the standards in the Historic Preservation Ordinance for the purpose of issuing a "Certificate of Appropriateness" or COA.
Yes. Additions can be made to historic buildings if they are compatible with the architectural character of the original building, and meet all zoning requirements such as lot coverage and setbacks.
Please see our Historic Preservation page on the City website for more information.
To request a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) review, submit a COA application form. Information on the review process and submittal requirements are listed on the application form, located on the Certificate of Appropriateness web page.
A COA application can be submitted before a building permit is applied for, or at the same time. For larger projects, it is recommended to obtain COA approval before preparing construction drawings for building permit.
Additional information on Historic Districts and landmarks can be found here.
Additionally, My Property Info allows you to look up specific properties and find data.
The benefits to having CLG Status include:
Approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness is required to obtain a building permit for any construction, alteration, repair, demolition or relocation that affects the exterior architectural appearance of any structure within a historic district, and for any structure that is designated a landmark. A COA is not required for work that does not require a permit (such as painting, tuckpointing, etc.).
You can submit a written statement to request a Certificate of Economic Hardship, which if approved allows your project to proceed without a COA.
Alterations to one building can affect nearby properties. Therefore, proposed alterations are evaluated for compliance with the ordinance guidelines to determine if there will be any detrimental impact on adjacent properties. Alterations should be compatible with and maintain the existing contemporary style. The Historic Commission is required to apply the “maximum flexibility” allowed by the ordinance in its review of applications for structures that have little historic or architectural significance.
The ordinance protects significant historic and architectural resources and can delay or stop demolitions or inappropriate alterations. Such changes can result in the loss of the community’s historic and architectural character and heritage. Inappropriate changes can have a negative impact on the property values and architectural integrity of all the properties within the historic district.
For more information please visit the Historic Preservation page on the City's website.
Zoning laws set limits on how a property can be used, and this ordinance is part of the St. Charles Zoning Ordinance. The goal of the Historic Preservation Commission is to protect property values by encouraging contemporary uses of property while protecting exterior architectural and historic resources.