Historic Restorations

One of the special things about our neighborhood is the historic houses and architecture found throughout. To help maintain that history, Dayton has several historic districts that are in the Register of Historic Places, and St Anne’s is one of them.

Before exterior repairs or modifications or demolition are made to a property in the Dayton Register of Historic Places the owner must seek a Certificate of Appropriateness for the proposed activity from the Department of Planning and Community Development (937-333-4271). There is no fee associated with a Certificate of Appropriateness. There are two types of Certificates of Appropriateness.

MINOR

Minor Certificates of Appropriateness are issued for the following:

Painting existing painted surfaces
Construction of a deck or patio
Replacement of roofs, doors, windows and gutter systems, which match the existing design
Minor repair of surfaces that match existing design
Repair or installation of new accessory structures like garages or sheds
Repair or installation of fencing
Removal of non-contributing additions or accessory structures
Major landscaping, including removing mature trees

The City’s Preservation Officer has the authority to issue Minor Certificates of Appropriateness, typically same-day. Just email or call Holly Hornbeak at Holly.Hornbeak@daytonohio.gov or 937-333-4271.

MAJOR

Major Certificates of Appropriateness are issued for the following:

Painting unpainted surfaces
Construction or removal of contributing buildings, additions or accessory structures
Construction or removal of porches
Construction or removal of decorative details such as chimneys, latticework, gables, gingerbread, soffits and shutters
Construction or removal of window or door openings
Signage
Alteration or removal of significant style elements, like slate and tile roofs
Changing interior spaces of significant structures which are open to the public

Only the Landmark Commission has the authority to approve major modifications.

A great resource for restoring your home in a period appropriate nature is the Blueprint for Rehabilitation-A Positive Approach to Guidelines.

Along with the brochure Living with Historic District Zoning, which discusses approvals for changes.

If a feature of your home needs replaced, renovated or upgraded, that is a great opportunity to bring that feature closer to the historic character of your home.

See what others across the nation have done in Save This Old House.

For more information read a 2022 blog post from the City of Dayton about Living in Dayton’s Historic Districts – An Intro to COAs

And learn more about Certificates of Appropriateness (COAs) from this City of Dayton YouTube video taken right here in Victorian Park in St Anne’s Hill: