Revitalization through Preservation

Helpful Links:

Secretary of Interior Standards and Guidelines

National Park Service manuals for maintaining your historic home

Federal and State Historic Tax Credits

Virginia Department of Historic Resources

National and State Historic Registers

Staunton Historic Districts Zoning Code

Staunton Historic Districts map Also look on GIS map!

Historic District Design Guidelines

Certificate of Appropriateness download

Staunton's Historic Preservation Commission

Rehabilitating your historic Staunton home/building

Disclaimer:  The following is a primer.  Please view the City's website for an official and detailed understanding of Staunton's historic districts, guidelines, and application process.

In 1997, Staunton passed an historic districts ordinance which states, synopsis:

• any exterior change to your home

• that resides within a Staunton historic district

• that is visible from a city street

must be approved by Staunton's Historic Preservation Commission.

The Process:

• Applications for exterior changes (Certificates of Appropriateness, or COAs) are available from the City's Planning Office (3rd floor, City Hall).

• Applications must be submitted to the City's Planning Office (3rd floor, City Hall) by the 1st of the month to be reviewed that month by the Commission.

• Frank Strassler, HSF's Executive Director, writes the COA reviews for the Commission .  He is not a voting member of the Commission. Frank writes his reviews based on the Secretary of Interior's Standards and Guidelines and Staunton's historic districts design guidelines.

• The Commission meets 5:30 p.m. at City Chambers on the fourth Tuesday of each month to vote on the COAs.  Homeowners/Building owners must be in attendance.

HSF's Role

As stated, our Executive Director writes the reviews for the HPC based on standards and guidelines from the City of Staunton & the Secretary of Interior.  HSF is here to help homeowners & building owners understand the guidelines and how they apply to their project.  This is a free service.  Consultations are done by appointment only!  Please email hsf@ntelos.net for an appointment. Note:  HSF will not design your project or offer any design services that conflicts with the review process.  

FAQ:

How do I know if my home is in a historic district?

The City's Website has a GIS map with a historic districts command; the historic district map is posted as well.  Or, you may email us (vickiehsf@ntelos.net) with the property's address, and we will check for you.

Do repairs go before the commission?

Ordinary maintenance & repairs made with the exact same materials do not go before the commission. See code 18.85.060 For clarification, either call our office (540) 885-7676 or email hsf@ntelos.net.

Does the Commission review painting / paint colors?

The Commission does not normally review paint with two exceptions:

1)  There is a clause in the code concerning "violent contrasts of materials or colors and intense and lurid colors or patterns, or a multiplicity of incongruous details clearly inconsistent with the character of the present structures or with the prevailing character of the surroundings and the historic district." which would go before the commission on a complaint basis.

2) The original painting of masonry surfaces is not exempted from review.  If your home is unpainted brick, you must go before the commission before you paint it.  This practice is not often encouraged. Many 19th century masonry homes were coated with a lime wash or linseed oil and iron oxide stain to give brick a uniform appearance and the mortar joints were then line stenciled.  Most of those coatings have long ago deteriorated exposing the original brick. These historic materials were physically very different than coatings what we use today. The application of modern paints latex or oil to brick causes many problems with the preservation of the brick and encourages long term maintenance problems. see Secretary of Interior Rehabilitation Guidelines
http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/standguide/rehab/rehab_masonry.htm
 

Please note that HSF offers paint color advice at the following rate: one-hour free to members, $25/hr afterwards & for non-members. (We charge for non-reviewable services.)

Can I get tax credits for my rehabilitation?

There are Federal tax credits and State tax credits available for rehabilitation.  The process is involved.  Homeowners usually hire consultants to help with the applications.  Documentation usually needs to be made before any work is done on the property.  Federal Tax credits are for commercials properties (for at least five years). See Virginia's Department of Historic Resources for more information.

My rehab is an obvious improvement to my neighborhood, why do I have to go before the commission?

Consistency and precedence.  Everyone goes through the same process.

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