NOTE: THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR A STAFF COA

One of the duties of HPB is to review the design of exterior changes to buildings located in historic districts or to locally designated structures. During the review HPB is guided by the criteria set forth in the historic preservation ordinance as well as the Delray Beach Design Guidelines. The guidelines, illustrated and published in booklet form, are helpful to all historic property owners and are available for purchase in the Planning & Zoning Department.

The review is accomplished through an application for a COA and a filing fee of $25.00. All exterior work requires the issuance of a COA. Initially, each COA application involved review by HPB. With the adoption of the Design Guidelines and a COA Matrix, Planning staff has the authority to approve many types of COA's.

Applications for exterior changes which cannot be approved by staff, are scheduled for review and action by HPB at a public meeting. HPB meetings are held at City Hall on the first and third Wednesday of each month. For review, the owner must provide sufficient graphic information to fully explain the proposed working drawings, sketches, photographs and a current survey. The owner or his representative must be present at the review meeting. The owner is urged to consult with staff prior to filing the COA application to insure that all necessary information is available for the Board's review.

Except for exterior painting, approval of a COA is not a final approval of the work to be done. The Building Division must review and approve all projects and plans so that the proper permits can be issued. The Building Division will not issue a building or demolition permit affecting a property located in an historic district, or individually listed in the Local Register, without a COA approved by the Board or staff.