Philadelphia Historic District Alteration Review
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania maintains a formal review for exterior changes in locally designated historic districts. This article explains who reviews proposed alterations, when a Certificate of Appropriateness is required, how to prepare an application, enforcement pathways and practical steps to apply, appeal, or report noncompliance. It summarizes the roles of the Philadelphia Historical Commission and City permitting offices, lists common violations and immediate actions owners or contractors should take before starting work in a historic district.
Overview of the Review Process
Properties in Philadelphia's local historic districts generally must receive approval for exterior alterations that affect appearance, materials, massing or street-facing elements. The Philadelphia Historical Commission administers design review and issues Certificates of Appropriateness for regulated work; building permits from the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) may also be required. [1]
- Determine whether the property is in a local historic district or individually designated resource.
- Identify whether the proposed work is administrative (eligible for staff review) or requires a full Historical Commission hearing.
- Prepare drawings, photographs and material samples for submission with the application.
Who Decides and When
The Philadelphia Historical Commission reviews projects under its local preservation ordinance and established guidelines. Staff-level administrative reviews may approve routine work; more significant alterations go to a public hearing. L&I enforces building and construction permit requirements and inspects permitted work.
Required Documents and Submission
Applications normally require a completed application form, site and elevation drawings, material sample photos, and a statement of work. Specific submittal requirements and a downloadable application form are available from the Historical Commission's application resources. [2]
- Completed Certificate of Appropriateness application and attachments.
- Payment of any published application fee, where applicable.
- Meeting or filing deadlines listed on the Commission calendar.
Penalties & Enforcement
Enforcement for unauthorized alterations in historic districts involves both the Historical Commission (for preservation orders) and L&I (for building and permit enforcement). The Philadelphia Code and Commission rules govern remedies and enforcement processes. Specific fine amounts and scheduled penalties are not specified on the cited pages; consult the municipal code and enforcement pages for numeric penalties. [3]
- Monetary fines: not specified on the cited page.
- Escalation: first, repeat or continuing offences and daily penalties are not specified on the cited page.
- Non-monetary sanctions: stop-work orders, orders to restore altered features, and civil actions are available under the Code.
- Enforcers and complaints: file violations with L&I and notify the Historical Commission using official contact pages.
- Appeals and review: appeals routes exist but specific time limits for filing appeals are not specified on the cited page.
Applications & Forms
The Commission publishes the Certificate of Appropriateness application and submittal checklist; fee amounts and exact submission routes are listed with the application materials when published. If an official form or fee schedule is not posted, the Commission's office will provide current requirements on request. [2]
Action Steps
- Confirm historic district status using the Commission's mapping or staff.
- Download and complete the Certificate of Appropriateness application; attach clear photos and drawings.
- Submit application and fees according to published deadlines and monitor the Commission calendar for hearing dates.
- If denied, review appeal options and deadlines with the Commission staff.
FAQ
- When do I need a Certificate of Appropriateness?
- When exterior changes affect design, materials or appearance in a local historic district; consult the Commission guidance for specific work types.
- Can I get an emergency permit for urgent repairs?
- Emergency repairs that do not change design may be administratively handled, but you must notify the Commission and obtain any required permits from L&I.
- What happens if I start work without approval?
- You may face stop-work orders, restoration requirements and civil penalties enforced by L&I and the Historical Commission.
How-To
- Confirm whether your property is in a local historic district with the Historical Commission.
- Prepare clear photos, elevation drawings and a description of proposed work.
- Complete the Certificate of Appropriateness application and pay any required fee.
- Submit materials by the Commission's deadline and attend the hearing if required.
- If approved, obtain building permits from L&I before starting construction; if denied, follow the Commission's appeal instructions.
Key Takeaways
- Start historic-district reviews early to avoid project delays.
- Use the official Certificate of Appropriateness form and provide full documentation.
- Contact Historical Commission staff and L&I for guidance before altering street-facing features.
Help and Support / Resources
- Philadelphia Historical Commission - Department page
- Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I)
- Philadelphia Code online (amLegal) - municipal code