Certificate of Appropriateness

Overview

Any property located in the Local Historic District or that is a Local Historic Landmark requires a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) for any exterior work to the building or property.

COAs are divided into two categories: Major Work or Minor Work. Minor Work COAs do not involve substantial exterior alterations that could impair the integrity of the property and historic district, therefore allowing for approval at the staff level. Major Work COAs consist of substantial alterations, therefore requiring approval from the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) through the quasi-judicial process. Both Major and Minor Work COAs require the same application process through GeoCivix, our online application portal. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the Historic Preservation Planners prior to submitting an application to discuss plans and understand which type of COA is needed for the work.

Please reference the Historic Property Handbook & Design Standards as well as the COA example chart (PDF, 1.63 MB) to assist in determining which type of COA is needed, although requests are determined on a case-by-case basis and the final decision is made by staff. Section 15.11 of the Unified Development Ordinance outlines the processes for Major and Minor Work COAs and the demolition of historic structures.

All COA applications must be submitted through GeoCivix, the Town's electronic plan review portal. All first time users must create an account before submitting a permit application. Once in the system, follow these steps to submit an application:

  1. Click on "Submit a New Planning Application"
  2. County, Select "Wake County"
  3. Application Category, "Planning and Development Services"
  4. Application Type, "Certificate of Appropriateness"
  5. Application Workflow, either select "Certificate of Appropriateness- Minor Work" or "Historic Preservation Commission" for Major Work changes to historic properties that are not additions, new construction, or demolition or "Major Work (Additions/New Construction/Demo)"
  6. The Project or Subdivision Name is the address and "Local Historic District" or "Local Historic Landmark"
  7. Complete the instructions and provide as much information as possible so staff can review the project. Please upload existing condition photographs and specification documents into the system.
  8. The following fees can be paid through the system via credit card:
    1. Minor Work COA: $25
    2. Major Work COA: $50
    3. Major Work COA (Additions/New Construction): $100
    4. Major Work COA (Demolition): $200

Major Work projects involve substantial exterior alterations and require approval from the HPC before work can commence. The HPC's decision to approve or deny a COA is based solely on evidence provided related to the Historic Property Owner Handbook & Design Standards and the Secretary of the Interior's Standards. Applications for Major Work COAs must be submitted on GeoCivix a minumum of 30 days prior to the HPC meeting (held once a month). Prior to the meeting, staff will ensure the application is complete, prepare a staff report, and complete a site visit.

Minor Work projects do not involve substantial exterior alterations that could impair the integrity of the property and historic district. Therefore, they only require administrative staff review, expediting the review process. Applications for a Minor Work COA can be submitted at any time on GeoCivix and staff will review it administratively. 

Projects may be considered Minor Works if they fall under the following:

  • Character-defining features of the structure are not changed
  • Architectural features are being replaced in-kind with matching materials
  • Minor alterations that do not change the essential character of the building or district
  • Renewal of an expiring COA where no change to approved plans is being proposed

The Demolition of Historic Structures Ordinance can be found in 15.11.4 of the Unified Development Ordinance. This ordinance requires a COA prior to receiving a demolition permit from the Town, and it applies to any historic structure in Wake Forest- not just those in a historic district. For this purpose, the term "historic structures" means:

  • Any designated local, state, or national landmark; or
  • Any structure that is:
    • Individually listed in the National Register of Historic Places;
    • Individually identified as a contributing structure in a historic district listed in the National Register of Historic Places;
    • Certified or preliminarily determined by the Secretary of the Interior as contributing to the significance of a registered historic district or a district preliminarily determined to qualify as a registered historic district;
    • Individually listed in the state inventory of historic places;
    • Individually listed in the county Register of Historic Places; or
    • Individually listed in a local inventory of historic places in communities with historic preservation programs that have been certified by an approved State program (including Certified Local Governments) as determined by the Secretary of the Interior or directly by the Secretary of the Interior in states without approved programs.

For any structure meeting the definition of "historic structure" in the Demolition of Historic Structures Ordinance, a Certificate of Appropriateness issued by the Historic Preservation Commission is required before any demolition takes place, regardless of whether the structure is formally designated as historic. The COA may authorize demolition immediately or may delay it for a specified amount of time- up to 365 days.

Any wrongful demolition of structures subject to these regulations, in violation of the COA or undertaken without compliance with this process, shall be prohibited from submitting redevelopment plans for the property for up to 48 months from the date of notice of the violation. The length of the delay will be at the discretion of the Planning Director or designated agent, depending on the specific circumstances of the site, structure, and violation.