Certificate of Appropriateness

What is a Historic District Certificate of Appropriateness?

The Certificate of Appropriateness is to provide for the review of all significant exterior modifications visible from a paved public street within the Chesapeake Historic and Cultural Preservation District. Certificates of Appropriateness may be needed for work on additions, roofs, chimneys, doors, windows, siding, fences, walls, and color changes, and must be approved by the Review Board as being architecturally compatible with the historic area, landmark, building, or structure itself.

Application Deadline is by 5 p.m. 10 days prior to the first Thursday of the month. When the 10-day submittal deadline falls on a week where there is also a City holiday, the submittal deadline will be 17 days before the first Thursday of the month.
Historic and Architectural Review Board Meeting Schedule

Preparation for Online Application Submittal

Street Address of the Property or (Tax) Parcel Number
Acceptable Filing Fee payment method readily available (credit cards or eCheck/linked bank account)
Photographs in digital format, ready for upload
Proposed Color(s) selected from the Benjamin Moore approved color palette
Preliminary Drawings & Material Specifications, drawn to scale, ready to upload as a PDF
Additional applicant responsibilities depend on the type of construction (new construction, major alteration/addition to existing structure, minor alteration/repair, relocation, demolition)

Submit Now

Apply online using eBUILD [What is eBUILD?]

After Online Application Approval

If Administratively Approved, Print Certificate and Post It

If you choose to submit your application in person, bring the required items from the list above to the 2^nd floor of City Hall and someone will assist you.