Certificate of Appropriateness

A Certificate of Appropriateness is a document issued by the Historic Preservation Commission that approves certain modifications to Local Historic Landmarks and properties within Local Historic Districts. 

There are three different types of applications, all of which are filed with the Department of Planning & Community Development including:

• Certificate of Appropriateness Application
• Minor Application
• Total Demolition of Historic Resource Application

  A Certificate of Appropriateness Application is required for modifications to a Local Historic Landmark or a property within a Local Historic District that include the following (Montclair Code § 347-136):

• Demolition or construction, either by addition or alteration
• Relocation of a structure
• Change in the exterior elevation or any improvement by addition, alteration or replacement
• Any new construction of a principal or accessory structure
• Any change in existing, or addition of new signage or exterior lighting

  Any proposed modifications to a Local Historic Landmark or a property within a Local Historic District that is part of an Application for Development to either the Planning Board or the Zoning Board of Adjustment, is exempt from the requirement of a Certificate of Appropriateness, as noted in Montclair Code § 347-136(A). In these instances, the Application will be referred to the Historic Preservation Commission for advice to the respective Board to assist in decision-making, pursuant to Montclair Code § 347-142.

  The following modifications to a Local Historic Landmark or a property within a Local Historic District DO NOT require a Certificate of Appropriateness:

• Changes to interior
• Changes not visible to the public, other than relocation or demolition
• Repair or exact replacement of any existing improvement, provided that the work does not alter the exterior appearance. The following are permitted repairs:
  • Identical replacement of existing windows and doors
  • Repairs of existing windows and doors and the installation of storm doors and windows that do not change their design, scale or appearance.
  • Maintenance and repair of existing roofing materials involving no change in the design, scale or appearance of the structure
  • Structural repairs which do not alter the exterior appearance
  • Replacement of existing clapboards, shingles or other siding with identical material.
  • Maintenance and repair of existing clapboards, shingles or other siding (including masonry) involving no change in the design, scale or appearance
  • Exterior or interior painting

A Minor Application is required for fences, signs, awnings, lighting, paving or streetscape work which will not substantially affect the characteristics of the historic landmark or the historic district.  It also includes field changes for certificates of appropriateness which have already been issued.  Any work that involves demolition, relocation or removal of an historic landmark or a key or contributing resource in an historic district may not be considered a minor application.

An Application for Total Demolition is required to permit the razing, dismantling or destruction of substantially all of any building or of any publicly visible facade wall, including removal of a building from its site, which may or may not include the foundation. "Substantially all" of a building means at least 50% of the exterior walls.