A Certificate of Appropriateness is required before exterior work or a building permit on a property in an Asheville local historic district or landmark.
The Historic Resources Commission reviews major-work applications on a monthly schedule.
Interior updates generally do not require this review, only exterior changes affecting a property’s historic character.
Planning around the monthly review calendar prevents unexpected project delays.
A Certificate of Appropriateness, often shortened to COA, is required before exterior work or a building permit on any property located within one of Asheville’s local historic districts or designated as an individual historic landmark. This requirement exists to preserve the historic character that makes these properties and neighborhoods significant, but it also adds a review step that homeowners need to plan around. This page explains how the process works.
What triggers the need for a Certificate of Appropriateness
Any exterior change to a property within a local historic district generally requires COA approval before work begins, including additions, alterations to windows or doors, changes to siding or roofing materials, and new construction visible from the street. Interior renovations typically do not require this review, since the COA process exists specifically to protect a property’s historic exterior character rather than its interior layout or systems.
If your project involves both interior and exterior work, such as our 1920 home remodel, which restored original exterior character while updating interior systems, understanding which portions of the project require COA review helps set realistic expectations from the start.
The Historic Resources Commission
Asheville’s Historic Resources Commission, a joint City and County body established in 1979, reviews COA applications for properties within local historic districts and individual landmarks. The commission includes members with relevant expertise and considers whether proposed changes align with the district’s established historic character and design guidelines.
Minor work applications, such as smaller-scale changes, often receive a faster staff-level review. Major work applications, which typically include additions, new construction, and more significant exterior alterations, go before the full commission on a monthly schedule rather than a continuous basis.
Planning around the monthly review schedule
Because major-work COA applications are reviewed monthly, missing a submission deadline by even a few days can push a project’s approval, and therefore its start date, back an entire month. This timing consideration deserves attention early in project planning, well before you expect to break ground, so your overall schedule accounts for this review cycle rather than assuming permits will move at the same pace as a non-historic property.
Our home remodeling pillar guide covers historic district considerations alongside broader remodeling permit requirements across Asheville and Buncombe County.
Legal review timelines
North Carolina law requires that decisions on COA applications be made within a defined timeframe once an application is complete, since these reviews are considered quasi-judicial in nature. This provides some predictability for property owners, though the practical effect of the monthly meeting schedule still means early submission matters for keeping a project on track.
What the commission typically looks for
Design guidelines specific to Asheville’s historic districts generally address elements like appropriate materials, scale and proportion relative to surrounding historic structures, and how visible new work is from the public right of way. A renovation that uses materials and forms consistent with a property’s original architectural style typically moves through review more smoothly than one that introduces significantly different materials or massing.
Working with a contractor experienced in historic district projects, who understands what the commission has approved for similar properties in the past, can meaningfully streamline this process.
Combining historic preservation with modern updates
Many historic home projects successfully combine preserved exterior character with fully modernized interior systems, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical work that a 1920s or older home was never originally built with. Our 1920 home remodel project kept original light fixtures, floors, wallpaper, fireplaces, doors, and hardware while updating the kitchen, bathrooms, HVAC, and electrical systems throughout the home. Our post on renovating a 1920s Asheville home covers this kind of project in more detail.
Working with an experienced historic renovation contractor
A contractor who has navigated the Asheville COA process before understands the commission’s expectations, the monthly review timing, and how to prepare an application that addresses likely concerns before they become delays. Start that conversation through the contact page.
Summary
A Certificate of Appropriateness is required before exterior work or a building permit on properties within Asheville’s local historic districts or individual landmarks, reviewed by the Historic Resources Commission on a monthly schedule for major projects. Interior work generally falls outside this requirement, focusing the review specifically on preserving exterior historic character. Planning early around the monthly review calendar prevents a missed deadline from delaying a project by a full month. Homeowners planning a historic property renovation should discuss COA requirements with their contractor before finalizing a project timeline. Reach out through the contact page to start that conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Certificate of Appropriateness?
A Certificate of Appropriateness, or COA, is required before exterior work or a building permit on properties within Asheville’s local historic districts or individual historic landmarks. It exists specifically to preserve historic exterior character, reviewed by the Historic Resources Commission.
Do I need a COA for interior renovations?
Generally, no. The COA process focuses specifically on exterior changes that affect a property’s historic character, such as additions, window or door alterations, and new construction visible from the street. Interior updates to systems and layout typically fall outside this requirement.
How often does the Historic Resources Commission review applications?
Major-work applications are reviewed on a monthly schedule. Missing a submission deadline can push a project’s approval, and its start date, back an entire month, making early planning around this timing important for any historic district project.
What does the commission consider when reviewing a COA application?
Design guidelines typically address appropriate materials, scale and proportion relative to surrounding historic structures, and visibility from the public right of way. Projects using materials and forms consistent with a property’s original style typically move through review more smoothly.
Can I update a historic home’s interior systems without affecting its historic status?
Yes. Many historic home projects successfully combine preserved exterior character with fully modernized interior systems, including plumbing, electrical, and mechanical work. Interior modernization generally does not require Certificate of Appropriateness review.
