Certificates of

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Certificates of
Appropriateness
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What is a Certificate of Appropriateness? A type
of permit that certifies that changes to a
historic landmark or property in a local historic
district are appropriate to the historic
character of the property or district. Once a
property is designated as a historic landmark or
included in a local historic district, the
exterior cannot be changed without a certificate
of appropriateness issued by the Wake County
Historic Preservation Commission (WCHPC) or by
Capital Area Preservation (CAP) staff.
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If a property owner is getting ready to do
work to the exterior of a landmark property or
its grounds, they will need to apply for a
CA. A CA is required for all exterior projects
that involve a change in design, materials, or
general appearance to a historic landmark or its
site. A CA is not required for interior
changes or routine maintenance. Routine
maintenance is defined as the repair or
replacement of building features when there is no
change in materials or appearance.
When does a landmark owner need a CA?
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How are CAs issued?
A CA application will first be reviewed by CAP
staff based upon the adopted Design Guidelines.
The Design Guidelines are the basis for
evaluating proposed changes.
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MAJOR vs. MINOR WORKS
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Usually involves substantial changes to a
landmark such as additions, new construction, and
demolitionAre presented to the WCHPC for their
approval during their regular monthly meeting.
The presentation is a public hearing, and CAP and
the WCHPC strongly encourages property owners and
applicants to attend the meeting. Owners of
adjacent properties will also be notified by
mail. Adjacent property owners and any other
interested parties will also have the opportunity
to comment on the application at the hearing.
If the WCHPC approves the application, the
property owner is issued a CA, which must be
posted at the work site with any other required
permits.
MAJOR WORKS
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New construction or building additionsDemolition
of any structureDemolition of any part of a
structureRelocation of buildingsRemoval/altera
tion of Archeologically significant
featuresRemoval/alteration of contributing
historical features
MAJOR WORKS
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Projects that do not involve substantial changes
to the appearance of a landmarkReviewed by
staff and can usually be approved within a few
daysMinor works may be referred to the WCHPC if
the staff determines that the change involves
substantial alterations, additions, or removals
that could impair the integrity of the landmark
or district. Owners will be notified as soon as
staff approves the project, and a copy of the
signed application will serve as the minor works
CA. Like the major works CA, a copy of the minor
works CA must be posted at the work site with any
other required permits.
MINOR WORKS
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IMPORTANT STEPS IN THE CA PROCESS

• Routine Inspections
• Property Owner Education

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Certificates of Appropriateness Proper Order for
Public Hearing
a. All persons who wish to address the commission
regarding an application shall be sworn in b.
The Chairman, or such person as he shall direct,
shall give a preliminary statement concerning the
application c. The staff shall present comments
on the application d. The applicant shall
present the evidence in favor of the
application e. Other persons may present
evidence in favor of the application
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f. Statements or evidence submitted by any
official, commission, or department of the State
of North Carolina, Wake County or a participating
municipality, or any local historical,
preservation or neighborhood association shall be
presented as directed by the Chairman g. Persons
opposed to the application shall present the
evidence against the application h. Any person
may ask questions regarding the application
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i. The applicant, and any person as the Chairman
shall direct, shall then be given the opportunity
to rebut any evidence presented against the
application. Only new information shall be
presented in rebuttal. The applicant shall not
repeat the initial arguments in support of the
application j. The Chairman, or such person as
the Chairman shall direct, shall summarize the
evidence which has been presented, giving all
parties an opportunity to make objections or
corrections
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k. The Commission shall thereafter proceed to
discuss the proposal with respect to its
congruity in light of the adopted guidelines l.
Following discussion, the Commission shall
develop and adopt "Findings of Fact" that the
proposal is/is not incongruous, citing applicable
sections of the guidelines m. Based upon the
Findings of Fact, the Commission may discuss the
appropriateness of imposing conditions n. The
Commission shall then vote to either approve,
approve subject to conditions, defer for further
information, or deny the application for a
Certificate of Appropriateness.