FAQs • McKinney, TX • CivicEngage

What is a Certificate of Appropriateness?: A Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) is a letter which approves proposed exterior architectural changes to buildings located within the city’s "H" Overlay and Commercial Historic Districts. An approved COA is required prior to being able to pull building permits and commencing work. A COA is required for all proposed exterior alterations, new construction and demolition within McKinney’s locally designated historic districts. Painting and routine maintenance do not require a COA. Please check with the Historic Preservation Officer whether or not your project would be considered routine maintenance. Please note that although we do not control whether you paint brick, we recommend that you not do so unless the brick has already been painted. Painting brick shortens the brick’s life expectancy and creates a maintenance issue for a future owner.

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Historic Preservation - Certificate of Appropriateness

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1. What is a Certificate of Appropriateness?: A Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) is a letter which approves proposed exterior architectural changes to buildings located within the city’s "H" Overlay and Commercial Historic Districts. An approved COA is required prior to being able to pull building permits and commencing work. A COA is required for all proposed exterior alterations, new construction and demolition within McKinney’s locally designated historic districts. Painting and routine maintenance do not require a COA. Please check with the Historic Preservation Officer whether or not your project would be considered routine maintenance. Please note that although we do not control whether you paint brick, we recommend that you not do so unless the brick has already been painted. Painting brick shortens the brick’s life expectancy and creates a maintenance issue for a future owner.

2. Is there a fee for a Certificate of Appropriateness?: No.

3. Why is a Certificate of Appropriateness needed?: A Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) assures that your historic landmark property maintains its historic integrity. The qualities that make your property either architecturally or historically notable can only be maintained or enhanced when alterations are made according to universally accepted historic preservation practices.

4. When Is a Certificate of Appropriateness needed?: A Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) is required for all proposed exterior alterations, new construction or demolition made to the exterior faced visible from the street or public right-of-way. If you are performing routine maintenance, a COA is not needed. When replacing or restoring, it is helpful to remember the phrase “like for like.” This means the replacement materials should be as close as possible in design, composition and size to the original materials. You should also read over the guidelines the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Illustrated Guidelines for the Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings that apply to your historic structure. Obtaining a COA usually coincides with the need to obtain a building permit. Please check with the Historic Preservation Officer to find out if the project you are undertaking will need a COA and/or a building permit. The Historic Preservation Office does not monitor interior changes or alterations, but strongly encourages property owners to maintain interior historic features. Maintaining historic interiors enhances the historic value of the house.

5. How do I obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness?: The City’s Historic Preservation Office, located in the 221 North Tennessee Street, will determine if a Certificate of Appropriateness is required for your proposed changes. After completing the application, the Historic Preservation Officer will review your application. Additionally, any questions you may have will be answered.

6. What needs to be included when submitting a Certificate of Appropriateness?

A completed application will include the Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) application and sufficient documentation which describes the project in detail.

Additions or Alterations to Existing Buildings

Site or plot plans, including dimensions of lot and footprint of proposed construction.
Elevation drawings and dimensions of all façades including signs, decks, fences and gates
Types of building materials listed
Photographs of existing conditions. The submitted drawings and written descriptions should explain how the project involves any of the following building elements if applicable:
- Foundations
- Vents, grates, grills
- Walls
- Chimneys
- Porches, steps
- Roof
- Doorways, doors, windows (description of windows if not the same as in the drawings)
- Decorative details

New Construction

Plot or site plans, including dimensions
Elevation drawings and dimensions of all façades including signs, decks, garages, fences and gates
Type of building materials such as wood doors, style and type of windows, type of siding, etc.
Color of materials
Photographs of existing conditions

7. What happens to my application after it is submitted?: Once an application is submitted, the Historic Preservation Office will review. If the proposed work is in conformance with the requirements set forth in the ordinance, the Historic Preservation Office will approve. If the project does not comply with the ordinance, the Historic Preservation Office will either approve the project with conditions, or refer the application to the next available Historic Preservation Advisory Board to approve, approve with conditions or deny the application. Any appeal of the Boards decision is to City Council, and their decision is final. Note: If the project is in the Commercial Historic District the Historic Preservation Office will approve, approve with conditions or deny the application. Appeals are to City Council with their decision being final.

8. May I paint my house any color I want?: Technically, yes. The McKinney Historic Preservation Ordinance does not regulate paint colors inside or out. However, it is strongly recommended that you don’t paint unpainted stucco or masonry (brick or stone). Should you want to remove paint from masonry, the Historic Preservation Office recommends that you not use abrasives, such as sandblasting or any other blasting method, but instead, consider a chemical paint remover.

9. Do I need permission to perform ordinary maintenance?: No, as long as the materials and design are not changed, you do not need permission to paint, make repairs, or replace materials in-kind such as replacing cedar shingles with cedar shingles, wood siding with matching wood siding, etc. You should discuss your proposed plans with the Historic Preservation Officer prior to commencing the repairs to make sure they are repairs and not work that would require a Certificate of Appropriateness and to see if the project might qualify for a tax exemption.

10. Does every change to my property require a Certificate of Appropriateness?: All proposed changes to the exterior of your property requires consideration by the Preservation Office and are regulated by the City’s Zoning Ordinance. The Zoning Ordinance calls out the use of the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. These Standards are used to determine the appropriateness of treatments for historic homes. Maintenance to your property is not restricted as long as it does not involve any changes to the structure. Some examples of changes that are subject to city regulations include replacing windows, siding, exterior doors, adding shutters, removing masonry, adding or removing porches, railings, chimneys, removing historic architectural trims, and adding architectural elements not original to the house.

11. May I put an addition on my historic property?: Yes, however, the addition should be located away from public view to preserve the property’s historic streetscape appearance. The Historic Preservation Office requires property owners to meet with the Historic Preservation Officer during the earliest design phase of the project to obtain professional feedback and input on the design. All additions should be compatible with the scale, massing, and architecture of your property and compatible with adjacent properties. The Design Guidelines provide useful information to help property owners design sensitive additions. Additions must comply with the city zoning ordinance and building codes.

12. Where can I receive help designing an addition for my house?: The City Historic Preservation Office publication Design Guidelines is available on the website to provide useful information on appropriate designs and materials to use for your project. In addition, the Historic Preservation Office staff is available by appointment to review preliminary designs. Please contact the Historic Preservation Office at (972)-547-7416 set up a meeting.