Apply for Historic Review

If you're interested in completing exterior work on a property that's located in a City-designated Historic District, approval by the Historic Review Commission (HRC) is required. Applications require a submission through OneStopPGH, the City's online permitting system. The application review process is called Development Review.

Work which requires Development Review

Development review is required for:

In-kind repair or restoration of HVAC replacement, fencing replacement, signage replacement, roofing replacement, and painting.
New construction, exterior alterations, additions, and demolition of buildings.
Repair, removal, replacement or alteration of materials, windows, doors, roofing, light fixtures.
Repair, removal, replacement or alteration of HVAC, fencing, walls, gates, non-conforming signage.

Work which does not require Development Review

Development reviews are not required for:

Interior alterations, unless the interior is designated
Gardening or landscaping

How to Apply

Step 1.Review Historic District Guidelines

Prior to submitting your application, review your Historic District Design Guidelines.

Link to Historic Designations and Districts

Step 2.Review the COA Process Guide

Download and review the Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) Process Guide. Review the Application Requirements and required documents on page 2. Incomplete applications cannot be added to a hearing agenda.

See Supporting Documents in the side panel

Step 3.Submit a OneStopPGH application

All project submissions and review comments are organized through your OneStopPGH account and application record number. Upload the required documents to the Permit application. Once submitted to OneStopPGH, staff will review the application for correctness and completeness. Additional information may be required if staff determines the application is incomplete.

Visit OneStopPGH to create an account.

Approval Process

Once a permit application completes the "Completeness Check" review process in OneStopPGH, the application enters into development review. The below steps illustrate the typical process an application takes from submission to issuing a permit.

Step 1.City Planning review

After Completeness Check is accepted, a Zoning reviewer and Historic Preservation reviewer are assigned to review the application. Historic Preservation staff have been authorized by the Historic Review Commission (HRC) to approve certain kinds of projects over-the-counter and may therefore be able to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) administratively.

The HRC must review all applications that staff are not able to approve over-the counter. Historic Preservation staff will contact you to schedule a HRC meeting date once the application has been reviewed and determined to be a complete application. Incomplete applications may delay project review and required hearings.

Step 2.Historic Review Commission Briefing

If applicable based on application type. For projects proposing demolition and / or new construction, City Planning recommends a briefing. Public comment is not taken during a briefing and no Commission decision is issued.

Step 3.Development Activities Meeting

If the proposed location is within a Registered Community Organization, a Development Activities Meeting (DAM) is required 30 days before the Historic Review Commission (HRC) meeting date. City Planning staff will contact you with DAM scheduling information.

Link to Who's My RCO page.

Step 4.Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting

If a proposed project requires approval by the ZBA, the ZBA meeting and decision must be issued prior to scheduling a HRC meeting date.

Step 5.Historic Review Commission Public Meeting

The HRC meets at 1:00 pm the first Wednesday of each month. Agendas for HRC meetings are posted 10 days prior to the meeting date. The Commission will vote to approve, postpone, or deny the proposed application.

Step 6.After Historic Review Commission

If the Commission approves the application, City Planning staff will complete reviews and issue the COA.
If the Commission postpones the application, staff will work with the applicant to revise the project for future HRC review.
If the Commission denies an application, the applicant may revise the project for future HRC review, submit an application for Certificate of Economic Hardship, or appeal to the Court of Common Pleas.