The Design Guidelines for Raleigh Historic Districts are intended to meet several essential needs. They serve different roles for different stakeholders in the historic districts. For property owners, residents, and contractors, they provide primary guidance in planning projects sympathetic to the special character of each of Raleigh's historic districts. More specifically, the Guidelines provide direction to applicants seeking a Certificate of Appropriateness. For commission members and staff, they offer a basis for evaluating proposed changes. In the process, they serve as a valuable tool in the commission's efforts to preserve, protect and educate.

Design Guidelines Update Status

What needs a COA? Check out the COA List of Work! 

Section 1 

1.0      Introduction          
1.1      Raleigh Historic Districts
1.2      Raleigh Historic Districts Commission
1.3      The Design Review Process
1.4      The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation
1.5      Certificate of Appropriateness Flow Chart 

Section 2, Part 1 

2.0      Site and Setting 
2.1      Public Rights-of-Way and Alleys 
2.2      Archaeology
2.3      Site Features and Plantings
2.4      Fences and Walls 

Section 2, Part 2 

2.5      Walkways, Driveways, and Offstreet Parking
2.6      Garages and Accessory Structures 
2.7      Lighting 
2.8      Signage

Section 3, Part 1 

3.0      Changes to the Building Exterior 
3.1      Wood
3.2      Masonry 
3.3      Architectural Metals 
3.4      Paint and Paint Color
3.5      Roofs 

Section 3, Part 2 

3.6      Exterior Walls
3.7      Windows and Doors
3.8      Entrances, Porches, and Balconies

Section 3, Part 3 

3.9      Storefronts
3.10     Utilities and Energy Retrofit
3.11     Accessibility, Health, and Safety Considerations

Section 4 

4.0      Additions and New Construction
4.1      Decks
4.2      Additions to Historic Buildings
4.3      New Construction

Section 5 

5.0      Relocation or Demolition
5.1      Relocation
5.2      Demolition

Section 6 

6.0      Appendixes
6.1      Resources for Technical Information
6.2      Architectural Terms
6.3      Special Character - Essays and Maps of Raleigh Historic Districts

Complete Design Guidelines (9MB file)