The city's Historic Preservation Office (HPO) performs design review for exterior changes to properties listed in the Phoenix Historic Property Register to ensure changes are compatible with the historic character of the property and/or historic district. This includes properties listed on the Phoenix Historic Property Register individually or located in a district (i.e. properties with "HP" or "HP-L" overlay zoning).
Overview for permit review process
A Certificate of Appropriateness or a Certificate of No Effect is required for all proposed building permit applications affecting the exterior of properties listed on the city's Historic Property Register, including infill construction and changes to non-historic properties located within historic districts. HPO staff will review your project to determine if it is eligible for a Certificate of No Effect or Certificate of Appropriateness. All projects are required to follow the city's Historic Preservation Philosophy or en Español and General Design Guidelines for Historic Properties or en Español to determine the project's potential effect on the historic character of the historic property and/or district. To provide applicants with technical assistance on proposed projects requiring building permits, the HPO maintains walk-in hours from 8 a.m. to noon, Monday to Friday or call 602-261-8699.
Certificate Of No Effect
A Certificate of No Effect is a review process for minor work which will have no effect on the historic character of a property. This can include, but is not limited to projects such as electrical box repairs/upgrades, gas line work, commercial signs, driveway changes, and window and door repair/restoration work. If the work meets the design guidelines, HPO staff can administratively approve the project by issuing a Certificate of No Effect, and provide the applicant with the approval needed to obtain a building permit.
Certificate Of Appropriateness
A Certificate of Appropriateness is required for some proposed additions and new construction, and all other projects that propose to significantly alter, diminish, or affect a property. City Historic Preservation Office staff will review your project to determine if it is eligible for a Certificate of No Effect or Certificate of Appropriateness.
In order to obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness, the first step is to contact the HPO to schedule a pre-application meeting with one of the historic preservation planners. At this meeting, the planner will discuss the proposed project with you and make suggestions regarding the design, materials, placement or other details in order to guide the project towards meeting the city's Historic Preservation Philosophy or en Español and General Design Guidelines for Historic Properties or en Español. The planner will also review the Certificate of Appropriateness process, the Instructions for Filing an Application for a Certificate of No Effect or Certificate of Appropriateness or en Español and answer any questions you may have regarding the process. See the flowchart "Certificates of Appropriateness Step-by-Step" below for more information.
Prior to submitting plans for the hearing, we strongly encourage applicants to review them with adjacent neighbors as well as the neighborhood association in which the property is located. This list can be obtained from the Historic Preservation Office.
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1. Applicants attend required pre-application meeting with the Phoenix Historic Preservation Office (HPO) staff prior to submitting a Certificate of Appropriateness application. These meetings provide an opportunity for one-on-one feedback and technical guidance. Applicants need to bring site photos, an existing site plan drawing and conceptual project drawings to the meeting. |
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2. Applicants submit a complete application form, submittal checklist and all required submittal materials to the HPO. City staff determines whether application is complete within three (3) business days. A hearing date is scheduled within 20 days of receipt of complete application per city ordinance. |
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3. The city will post a sign on the property and send letters to the owner and affected neighborhood associations providing information on the hearing date and time. Either the owner or his/her representative must be present at the hearing. Applicants are strongly encouraged to obtain input on the project from neighbors and the affected neighborhood associations prior to the hearing. |
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4. The applicant's assigned historic preservation planner will review the application to determine whether the project meets the city's General Design Guidelines for Historic Properties. The planner will forward a staff report to the applicant in advance of the hearing. |
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5. At the hearing, the hearing officer will provide the applicant with an opportunity to explain his/her application, answer questions and provide additional information. The hearing officer will approve, deny or continue the hearing (if additional information is needed). Members of the public an also attend and comment at the hearing. The hearing officer can add stipulations to the approval. |
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6. An appeal process is available for applicants or other interested parties who are aggrieved by the decision of the hearing officer. A written appeal must be filed with the HPO within five (5) calendar days of the hearing decision (no faxes please. A scan of a letter signed by the property owner or applicant requesting an appeal can be emailed to the Historic Preservation Office). All appeals are heard by the city Historic Preservation Commission at its next available meeting. |
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7. After the hearing officer makes a decision, applicants must wait at least six (6) days before returning to the HPO as the applicant cannot apply for a building permit during the appeal period. Applicants bring three (3) required copies of final construction drawings. The HPO will evaluate the plans within two (2) days to ensure that the final plans reflect all changes required by the hearing officer. HPO stamps plans approved and returns two (2) copies to applicant. |
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8. An approved Certificate of Appropriateness is valid for one (1) year from the date of the hearing approval. Applicants bring two copies of plans stamped by the city's Historic Preservation Office to the Development Services staff to file a building permit. |
Requests For Demolition Approval
The Historic Preservation Office seeks to protect buildings within the city of Phoenix that are important to its past. In cases where the property owener wishes to demolish a property, a Request for Demolition Approval must be submitted. For information regarding what should be included with the Request, see the Initial Submittal Requirements for Demolition Approval or en Español. For more information, you may wish to visit the office during walk-in hours from 8 a.m. to noon, Monday to Friday. You can also call 602-261-8699 to speak to a planner or to set up an appointment.
Last modified on 05/04/2011 11:42:01