Within the five local historic districts in Salisbury, property owners are required to obtain a certificate of appropriateness before beginning any type of exterior construction, alteration, or demolition. The local historic district overlay zoning is in addition to all other laws and codes and does not exempt a property from, or diminish, such requirements. The certificate of appropriateness is a preliminary step in obtaining a building permit if a permit is required for proposed work. A certificate of appropriateness certifies that the proposed changes are consistent with the design guidelines and are appropriate within the historic district context. Neither interior alterations nor most normal maintenance work requires a certificate of appropriateness.

Applications for certificates of appropriateness are processed through the office of the Zoning Administrator in the Development Services Department of the City of Salisbury. The application forms are available from the department, located at 110 North Main Street. Information may also be obtained by calling Wendy Spry, Development Services Specialist  at 704-638-5210. Applications should be submitted by the 25th of the month in order to be considered at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission.

If an applicant cannot appear in person at the commission meeting, he or she may appoint a duly authorized agent by executing the proper form provided by the office of the Zoning Administrator.

All applications must be complete before the Historic Preservation Commission may consider them. To be complete, an application must include all the facts necessary for a full understanding of the applicant’s intentions. The application must provide specific information regarding the work so that the commission can determine if there will be any damage or detrimental change to the historic character of the district. The commission does not consider interior arrangement, nor does it take action except for the purpose of preventing demolition, construction, reconstruction, alterations, restorations, or moving of a building, structure, appurtenant fixtures, or outdoor advertising signs in the historic district, that would be incongruous with the historic aspects of the district.

Applications should include any relevant supplemental materials, such as accurate drawings, site or plot plans, samples of materials, color chips, and photographs. If a project, such as a new building, is large enough to require input at several stages, then a committee of the commission may be appointed to work with the owner in developing an acceptable proposal.

Once it is issued, a certificate of appropriateness is valid for six months. It may be renewed.

If you have any questions regarding the Certificate of Appropriateness or any other historic district matter, please contact staff liaisons Wendy Spry at 704-638-5208 or Janet Gapen at 704-638-5230.