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What is a Certificate of Appropriateness?

A Certificate of Appropriateness is a document received from the Historic Preservation Commission stating that specific work has been approved by the Commission.  A Certificate of Appropriateness is required before most exterior work begins and before a building permit can be issued for properties located in Local Historic Districts.  Changes involving new construction, reconstruction, alteration, demolition, major maintenance, exterior color changes, and the introduction of fences, walls, lighting fixtures, permanent landscaping, etc. require a Certificate of Appropriateness.

There are two types of approval [Staff or Commission] and the process and documentation will depend on the type.  Before beginning a project or submitting an application, it is recommended that applicants call (260) 427-8311 and ask for an Historic Preservation Planner, or send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  forpdf DESIGN REVIEW  to determine which type your project will require.  HPC staff will help you with the process.  There is no charge for filing a Certificate of Appropriateness.

Completed applications should be sent or delivered to the address listed at the bottom of the application.  Click pdfHERE to download a PDF version of the application.

For Design Guidelines, clickpdf GUIDELINES.

[If you have difficulty in opening a PDF, you may need to download a newer version of Adobe Reader.  Click ADOBE for a free download.]