Making Exterior Changes within Local Historic Districts

   FOLLOW THESE STEPS:

 1. CONFIRM PROPERTY IS LOCATED WITHIN A LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICT
 2. REQUEST PROJECT REVIEW BY HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION ONLINE HERE
 3. IF APPROVED, OBTAIN BUILDING PERMIT

 

HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION GUIDELINES

VIOLATIONS (WORK PERFORMED WITHOUT APPROVAL)

  • A violation is any unapproved work on the exterior of a property.  Violations that are not addressed stay with a property, despite ownership changes, until reviewed by the Commission in response to an application.  Unaddressed violations may complicate or prevent property transfers/sales. 
  • Unaddressed violations may result in enforcement activities, inspections, fines and "Stop Work" orders by the Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department (BSEED), or court orders to remedy the violation.
  • VIOLATION CASE TRACKER and STATUS DEFINITIONS
    • Properties with observed violations are available online and updated daily.  Please note that the tracker may not capture all violations on a property, as some violations may not have been reported to staff.  Please direct additional questions regarding violation status to [email protected]. 
    • Tracker Definitions:
      • Cleared: Violation scope received a COA (Certificate of Appropriateness), a NTP (Notice to Proceed), or was considered ordinary maintenance.
      • Open: Case may be going through one of several processes including applications, pending conditions for COAs, denials, HDC reviews, or notice letters.
      • Open- Sent to BSEED: Violation scope has been referred to BSEED (Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department) for inspection and potential further enforcement. Questions about such enforcement should be directed to BSEED.
      • Open - Sent to Court (BSEED): BSEED has referred these cases to court for further enforcement. Questions about such cases should be directed to BSEED.
  • You may report possible violations to the HDC though the Improve Detroit / See-Click-fix website / app for best service.
  • You may also report to [email protected]. Please provide the address, photos of work in progress, and a description of this work with your inquiry.

PROJECT DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS (BY SCOPE):

 

WINDOW REPLACEMENT (HISTORIC WINDOWS)
  • A brochure or other information giving the color, materials, and configuration of the proposed replacement windows
  • Detailed photographs of window(s) proposed for replacement showing the condition of the interior and exterior of the window(s).
ROOF REPLACEMENT (HISTORIC ROOFING MATERIAL)
  • Detailed scope of work including any related work such as dormers, gutters, soffit and fascia (formatted as bulleted list)
    • Two (2) estimates of the cost to repair the existing roof
    • Two (2) estimates of the cost to replace with the same material
    • Two (2) estimates of the cost for asphalt shingle replacement
ROOF REPLACEMENT (NON-HISTORIC ROOFING MATERIAL)
  • Detailed scope of work including any related work such as dormers, gutters, soffit and fascia (formatted as bulleted list)
PAINT
  • Specifications of proposed paint colors--to comply with Color Chart assigned to the property
  • Diagrams indicating location of proposed paint color(s)
DEMOLITION (INCLUDING PARTIAL DEMO)
  • Structural assessment report of the property, completed according to the Commission's Structural Assessment Template by a licensed engineer
  • Detailed description of what will happen to the site once the demolition is completed
  • For partial demo, include elevation drawing(s) and/or photo simulation(s) showing the building and surface treatments to newly exposed walls
NEW CONSTRUCTION/ADDITIONS (INCLUDING GARAGES)
  • Drawings of proposed project including:
    • Site plan showing all changes and landscape features, including location of construction fencing if applicable
    • Floor Plan(s)
    • Elevation Drawing(s)
    • Section Drawing(s) and other detailed drawings as needed
SOLAR PANELS
  • Detailed scope of work (formatted as bulleted list) including any and all other related work to be completed (ex: roof plan, site plan, elevation drawings, dimensions)
SIGN INSTALLATION/REPLACEMENT
  • Dimensioned drawings of signs including elevation drawing and/or photo simulation of proposed sign and location on existing building
BUILDING CLEANING
  • Description of cleaning method, names and chemicals, the pressure of any washes or applications, and the proposed surface treatment after cleaning
  • Brochures/cut sheets for all proposed cleaning agents
FENCE INSTALLATION/REMOVAL (INCLUDING PAVING, WALLS, LANDSCAPING
  • Site plan drawing showing:
    • Existing lot lines
    • Existing buildings
    • Location and dimension of proposed fence
  • In cases of removal, include a statement as to why element(s) need to be removed rather than replaced
PORCH (REPAIR AND/OR RECONSTRUCTION)
  • Drawings of proposed project including:
    • Floor Plan(s)
    • Elevation Drawing(s)
    • Section Drawing(s) and other detail drawing(s) as needed

DETROIT'S LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICTS -- THE FINAL REPORTS

All reports and designations for local historic districts  are researched and prepared by the Historic Designation Advisory Board (HDAB) which advises the City Council on all matters regarding historic preservation including requests for the designation of local historic districts. The staff of the Advisory Board can further assist residents with specific preservation questions and concerns as well as serve as a general resource to the community.