Historic Preservation
Washington's Historic District "Guidelines for Property Owners"
Part 5: Guidelines for Common Building and Renovation Projects
Roof Replacements. Maintain
existing roofing material whenever possible. Replace deteriorated
roof covering with new materials that match the existing in composition,
size, shape, color, and texture.
Fences. Use traditional fencing
materials made of wood, stone, and iron in the Historic
District. Streetfront fences may not be more than three (3)
feet high. Vertical wooden privacy fences seven (7) feet high or
less are permitted in rear and side yards.
Awnings. Commercial or residential
awnings should be made of either canvas, vinyl-coated canvas, or
acrylic. Awnings should not be used where there is evidence of previous
use of shutters.
Minor Repairs. Nothing in
the Historic District Guidelines
prevents ordinary maintenance or repair of buildings and property
as long as work does not involve a change in design, materials,
or outer appearance. Some minor repairs, such as fence repairs,
awnings installation, and landscaping projects may require a minor
works COA. More substantial projects, such as additions or changing
doors or windows, will require a COA
review before the Historic
Preservation Commission. Property owners should consult with
the City's Department of Planning
and Development at (252) 975-9384 prior to beginning work to
determine the need for a COA.
New construction. New buildings
in the Historic District
should respect the character of historic buildings without copying
them. New construction projects will be reviewed by the Historic
Preservation Commission to evaluate compatibility with surrounding
structures.
Windows and doors. Repair
of existing windows and doors is usually recommended over replacement.
If replacement is allowed, the new window or door should match the
old as closely as possible.
Exterior wall materials. When
siding cannot be repaired, it should be replaced with the same type
of siding. Artificial sidings, such as vinyl, aluminum, or masonite,
are not allowed unless already existing on a building. Brick which
has previously been painted may be repainted; however, sandblasting
is prohibited.
Signs. The Historic
District Guidelines contain requirements for the number, size,
location and color of signs. Please contact the Department
of Planning and Development prior to placing or painting a sign
on a building or window, including interior windows.
Demolition. The Historic
Preservation Commission may not deny a COA
request for a demolition but may delay the demolition for up to
365 days. During the delay, the Commission may work with the property
owner to attempt to save the structure.
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