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Certificate of Appropriateness and Approval Process

A property owner within the "Louisburg Historic District" as shown on the Historic District Map who wished to undertake any development related activity must first apply for and be issued a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA). This COA is often referred to as the "historic permit". There is a specific process that is undertaken in order to proceed with the COA issuance. Please follow these steps:

  1. Contact Tony King, Asst. Town Administrator, at the Louisburg Town Hall (919) 496-1115. Provide information as to what type of project you wish to undertake and your property location and tax parcel ID number,
  2. If it is determined that a COA is required for the specific activity, a COA application must be completed comprehensively and accurately. This application and all drawings and other support materials must be submitted to Town Staff at least three (3) weeks prior to the next Historic Commission meeting – held the second (2) Thursday of each month at 7:30 PM at the Louisburg Town Hall, 110 W. Nash St., Louisburg
  3. Town staff will review the application for completeness and arrange for a review by the Design Review Advisory Committee (DRAC).
  4. After meeting with DRAC, applicant will have the opportunity to make revisions to the application in consideration of DRAC recommendations.
  5. The Louisburg Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) conducts a full review and consideration of the submitted application. This review considers every aspect of the modifications being proposed to the exterior of the structure as well as the yard/streetscape.
    This meeting is "quasi-judicial" in nature meaning that only formal, legal testimony can be considered in the deliberation of the COA application. This basically means that only facts which are true and accurate should be offered as the criminal ramifications of perjury are a penalty.
  6. The HPC makes "findings of fact" regarding the application. These are facts related to the proposed activity which are related to the structure, streetscape, and relationship to other properties in the neighborhood or district
  7. Once facts have been established, the HPC makes determinations as to whether the Secretary of the Interiors Standards for Rehabilitation have been fulfilled and the formal approval or denial of the COA issued.
  8. If approved, the applicant may proceed with the activities proposed after 1) a Louisburg Zoning Permit and 2) NC Building Permit (if required) has been issued.

Re-submittal and Appeals

Applicants which have been denied may choose to appeal the decision of the HPC. All appeals of the HPC go directly to the Louisburg Board of Adjustment (BOA) for review. Please note that the review of the BOA is heard in the legal form if certiorari, in general meaning that the reason, based on fact, for the HPC determination is not reviewed, only whether the correct legal protocol, rules, and processes were followed by the HPC in their review.

As the COA is a "quasi-judicial" review, the same application may not be reconsidered for a period of twelve (12) months from date of denial. Applications that have significant differences from the original submittal may be reviewed by staff and a determination made as to its right to consideration.

Application Requirements

Applications must be Correct, Complete, and Comprehensive! The HPC makes decisions of approval or denial on the application and data submitted only. It is not the function of the HPC to provide direction or advice as to the application or proposed activity. The DRAC has been created to provide such technical design advice. DRAC assistance may be solicited at any time during the applicant’s design of the project to offer professional technical advice.

The submitted application must have supporting data and materials to allow HPC review. This includes SCALED drawings, site plans, and elevations of the proposed modifications. These include all architectural elements such as doors, windows, siding, trim, roof materials and pitch changes, foundations, etc. Site plans must be SCALED and show proximity to other site elements. Specific supporting materials such as material cut sheets should be included, as these show specific features, styles, designs, materials, and dimensions. (Example – Windows may be scheduled in the application by reference number on drawings and then identified on separate detail sheets that show the corresponding window number and the specific detail for that window)

Site modifications such as driveway, walkway, patio, or landscape modifications must also be detailed on the site plan and included in the application.

Please Note: Only those activities requested and supported in the application may be considered for approval. Additional activities, element, or feature modifications different from those in the submitted or revised application will not be considered on the evening of review.

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