Certificate of Appropriateness-Minor Works

Step 1.Eligible Alterations

The following alterations may be considered for administrative approval. Please submit the information and documents identified for each alteration type that is included in your application.

Step 2.Alteration Types

• Storm windows: Color and dimension
• Storm doors: Color and design
• Fences (Except on corner lots): Plot plan, design, and material
• Shutters or blinds: Dimension, hardware, material, and color
• ADA access: Plot plan, design, and materials
• Signs: Location, dimensions, design, and materials
• Roofs: In-kind replacement
• Awnings: Location, material, dimensions, and color
• Utilitarian garden sheds and play equipment: Plot plan, location, material, dimensions, and design
• Minor exterior alterations: Location, dimensions, and materials
• Rear yard decks: Plot plan, design, and materials
• Brick walkways, paths, driveways, and patios: Plot plan, design, and materials
• Removal of asbestos siding: Narrative: description of work
• Restoration of original features, significant later changes, and/or materials based on photographic, physical, or other historical evidence: Materials and historical evidence
• Six-month extension of COAs: A written reason for request prior to the expiration

Step 1.Pre-Application

A pre-application meeting is encouraged prior to submission of a minor works application. The purpose of the pre-application meeting is to provide general guidance on the proposed alterations. Pre-application meetings may be scheduled by emailing the Historic Preservation team or calling the historic preservation office at 910-254-0900.

Step 2.Application Review

Upon receipt of an application, staff will determine whether the application is complete. Complete applications are typically reviewed within 7-10 business days. Incomplete applications or applications that require revisions to comply with the Historic Design Standards require additional review time.

Step 3.Certificate of Appropriateness (COA)

If the application is approved, a Certificate of Appropriateness will be issued. All work must be performed in accordance with the approved COA unless a revision is submitted and approved. Work performed that is not consistent with an approved COA may result in a requirement to reverse the work and/or civil penalties.

Step 4.Conversion to Major Work Application

If staff finds the proposed alteration is ineligible for review as minor work or finds the alteration to be inconsistent with the design standards, the applicant has the option to withdraw the application or apply to the Historic Preservation Commission for approval of major work.

Step 1.Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) Submissions

All Minor works (administrative bypass) applications must be submitted using the City's Development & Permitting Services (DPS) online portal. See our Getting Started Guide for more information on how to register and submit an application.

Step 2.Application Components 

All application components (e.g. application, information required for each alteration type , etc.) must be submitted individually and named accordingly.

Step 3.Professional Seals

Professional seals (engineers, land surveyors, architects, etc) on digital plans must be redacted from digital copies submitted to the city for review. Please be sure to mark, strike through, or otherwise conceal any professional seal located on your digital (re)submittals (e.g., PDF).

Step 1.Fee Amount

Application fees are based on the estimated cost of the project/proposed improvements as shown below and must be paid in full prior to review of an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness. Fees for applications submitted for work that has already been started or completed (also known as retroactive or After-the-Fact) include the base fee noted below plus $100.

• $17,999 or less: $0
• $18,000-$24,999: $20
• $25,000-$49,999: $25
• $50,000-$99,999: $35
• $100,000-$499,000: $50
• $500,000 and more: $100

Step 2.Payment of Application Fees

Application payments may only be made via check, cash, or credit card in-person at the City's Billing & Collections Office at the Skyline Center, 1st Floor, 929 N. Front St., via MasterCard or Visa over the phone by calling calling the Collections Office at 910-343-4745 between 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday,  via the City’s Development and Permitting Services (DPS) online portal, or payment by mail using the information provided below. When paying by mail, please include the invoice or account number.

• Regular Mail
  City of Wilmington Collections
  PO Box 1810
  Wilmington, NC 28402
• Express Mail
  City of Wilmington Collections

  929 North Front Street, 1st Floor
  Wilmington, NC 28401