If I want to make a change to my property, what is the procedure?

If a property owner within a Local Historic District wishes to make a change to their property they are required to apply for approval in the form of a Certificate of Appropriateness, known as a COA. Depending on the type of proposed change the property owner completes a COA application and submits the completed form with supporting materials (photos/drawings/description of work) to the Economic Development Department.

Once submitted, the application is reviewed by staff to determine if approval from the full Commission is required - some changes can be approved by staff without a Commission meeting. If staff determines that the application needs to be approved by the Commission, a meeting is set with the Commission's COA Committee. 

The 3-member COA Committee reviews the application and discusses the proposed changes with the property owner or their representative and ultimately makes a recommendation for approval or denial to the full Historic Preservation Commission at its regular monthly meeting. The full Commission reviews the COA application, takes comments on the proposed changes, and based on the information presented votes to approve or deny a COA. The regular monthly meetings of the Historic Preservation Commission are open to the public and allow time for public comment.

Show All Answers

1. What is the Lafayette Historic Preservation Commission?
2. Is there a difference between a National Register Historic District and a Local Historic District?
3. What is a Conservation District?
4. What is a Certificate of Appropriateness?
5. If I want to make a change to my property, what is the procedure?
6. Are there any districts already in Lafayette?
7. Does the Historic Preservation Commission deny many COAs?
8. What about repair and maintenance - Do I have to apply to the Commission for every fix?
9. Can the Lafayette Historic Preservation Commission tell me what color I have to paint my house?
10. Does the Lafayette Historic Preservation Commission have the authority to tell me what landscaping I can install?
11. Does designation as a Local Historic District prevent me from constructing an addition to my house?
12. Does designation as a Local Historic District prevent me from demolishing a building?
13. Does designation as a Local Historic District prevent me from building on a vacant lot?
14. Does designation as a Local Historic District prevent me from installing new windows or doors?
15. What are the benefits of designating my property as part of a Local Historic District?
16. Does designation as a Local Historic District affect my property values?
17. Are there resources for those properties listed within a Local Historic District?
18. If I have questions, who can I contact?