Savannah Historic Alteration Rules & Tax Credits
Savannah, Georgia protects its historic districts through local design review and incentives that affect owners planning exterior work or rehabilitation. This guide summarizes the city review process, common permit triggers, how local enforcement operates, and the key state and federal tax credit programs that can offset rehabilitation costs. It points to official forms and offices to contact so property owners, contractors, and preservation professionals can take concrete steps to apply, comply, appeal, or claim incentives.
Overview of Historic Alteration Rules
Exterior changes in Savannah’s designated historic districts typically require a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) or similar review by the local review board; routine maintenance is often exempt but definitions vary by ordinance. For official standards and the COA process, consult the City of Savannah Historic Preservation page City Historic Preservation[1].
- Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) triggers for exterior work, new construction, demolitions.
- Alterations to storefronts, roofs, porches, windows and visible materials typically require review.
- Documentation requirements: plans, photos, material samples and historic research where requested.
- Public-notice and meeting schedules set by the historic review board.
Tax Credits & Financial Incentives
Rehabilitation projects in Savannah may qualify for state and federal historic tax credits; Georgia’s State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) administers state incentives and provides application guidance. See the Georgia SHPO programs page for eligibility and application steps Georgia SHPO Revitalization Programs[3].
- Federal Historic Tax Credit: a 20% credit for certified rehabilitation of income-producing historic structures (administered by the National Park Service and IRS).
- Georgia state incentives and local programs: see SHPO guidance for program specifics and state application steps.
- Tax-credit pre-application/review is usually recommended before construction begins to ensure qualified scope.
Penalties & Enforcement
Enforcement of historic-alteration controls in Savannah is handled through municipal code provisions and historic-review processes overseen by the Historic District Board of Review and the City’s preservation staff. For official enforcement contacts and board authority see the Historic District Board of Review information Historic District Board of Review[2].
- Monetary fines: not specified on the cited page; consult municipal code or enforcement notices for amounts.
- Escalation: first, repeat, and continuing offences and daily penalties are handled per city code or court orders; specific ranges are not specified on the cited page.
- Non-monetary sanctions: stop-work orders, orders to restore or remove inappropriate alterations, and court enforcement are stated remedies; specific procedures and timelines are governed by city ordinance and board orders.
- Enforcer and complaint pathway: preservation staff and the Historic District Board of Review administer review and complaints; contact information is on the board page cited above.
- Appeals and review: appeals route to the procedures set by city ordinance and state law; specific statutory time limits are not specified on the cited page and should be confirmed with the city clerk or preservation office.
- Defences and discretion: permits, variances, or emergency repairs can be raised as defenses or grounds for board relief depending on ordinance provisions.
Applications & Forms
The COA application and submission instructions are maintained by the City’s preservation office; specific form names and filing fees may be published on the city site or provided by staff. If a published form or fee schedule is not available on the cited page, it is not specified on the cited page. For COA and board meeting submittal instructions, consult the official preservation and board pages cited above.[1][2]
- Typical form name: "Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) Application"; fee: not specified on the cited page.
- Deadlines: agenda and packet deadlines are set by the board schedule; check meeting calendar on the board page.
- Submission: usually to preservation staff by email or portal; confirm method on the city page.
How-To
- Identify whether your property is in a local historic district and whether the proposed work is exterior and visible from public rights-of-way.
- Contact Savannah Historic Preservation staff to confirm COA requirements and obtain application forms and deadlines.
- Prepare documentation: photographs, drawings, materials samples, and a scope that aligns with the Secretary of the Interior standards when pursuing tax credits.
- Submit COA and any tax-credit pre-application; await board review or staff-level approval before starting work.
- If pursuing tax credits, follow SHPO and NPS certification steps early and retain qualified professionals for technical compliance.
FAQ
- Do I always need a COA for work on a historic property?
- No, routine maintenance may be exempt but many exterior changes require a COA; confirm with preservation staff and the board page.[2]
- Can I get a tax credit for rehab of my Savannah home?
- Federal credits apply to income-producing properties; Georgia SHPO lists state programs and eligibility—check SHPO guidance for specifics.[3]
- What happens if I start work without approval?
- The city may issue stop-work orders, orders to reverse changes, and fines where authorized; exact fines are not specified on the cited pages.[2]
Key Takeaways
- Start design review and tax-credit pre-approval early.
- Contact Savannah preservation staff for COA procedures before work starts.
Help and Support / Resources
- City of Savannah Historic Preservation
- Historic District Board of Review - City of Savannah
- Georgia State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)
- National Park Service - Federal Tax Incentives for Historic Preservation