Historic Preservation FAQs

A Historic District is an area of the City that has been identified as having historic or architectural character that contributes to the City’s history. Building and structures within a Historic District are subject to the City’s Historic Preservation Ordinance, Chapter 17.32 of the City Code.

The designation of a Historic District is based upon an Architectural Survey of the area. For the survey, each individual property within the proposed district has been assessed and rated based on the architectural significance. 

• The Historic Preservation Commission is available to assist property owners to find resources on structural restoration and rehabilitation. In addition, the Commission will review and make informal recommendations on any proposed construction projects.
• A Historic District helps ensure that changes to properties are appropriate for the building and the neighborhood and do not dimmish the architectural or historical significance of a building or other structure.
• A Historic District helps protect property values. Economic studies nationwide have shown that historic districts generally have higher property values than other neighborhoods.
• Residential properties in a Historic District may qualify for a property tax assessment freeze through a state program. Commercial properties may qualify for a tax credit through federal programs. Properties in St. Charles’s historic districts can qualify for Façade Improvement Grants from the city.
• A Historic District supports neighborhood stability by ensuring that changes to public-facing exteriors of homes and businesses are appropriate for the building and neighborhood and do not diminish the architectural or historic significance of the buildings in the historic district. Designation promotes pride in the community and encourages residents and visitors to view the City’s past as a valuable resource.
• A Historic District encourages sustainability. Adapting or rehabilitating an existing building is far more beneficial for the environment than discarding historic materials and finding or creating new materials for new construction.
• A Historic District promotes civic pride and attracts residents and visitors to a city, boosting a city’s tax base.
• Owners of properties in a historic district can receive valuable assistance and information on resources for rehabilitation, additions, or new construction from the city’s Preservation Planner and Historic Preservation Commission (HPC). In some cases, property owners save money by repairing historic materials rather than replacing them with new, often lower-quality materials.

Any exterior changes to properties within a Historic District must meet review criteria before a building permit is issued. The intent of the review criteria is to encourage the preservation of buildings and architectural features that contribute to the historic character of the area.

The approval is called a “COA” (Certificate of Appropriateness). A COA is required for any exterior project that may or may not require a building permit, including changes to windows, doors, or siding; new buildings or additions; and building demolition. 

Projects that require a COA are reviewed by the Historic Preservation Commission, a group of citizens appointed by the Mayor and City Council. The Commission meets twice a month (Wednesday at 7pm).

When filling out a COA, the brand, type of material, and installation are needed. If there is a large addition, new building, large impervious surface area, engineering will need to take a preliminary look before final version is approved by the Commission. Large changes to the exterior will require architectural drawings.

Every property in a Historic District is different as well as every landmarked building is different. There are multiple points of consideration that are looked at before a decision is made. These points of consideration are:

1. The project type (ex: siding, a fence, windows)
2. The architectural style of the building (Tudor Revival, Colonial Revival, Craftsman, etc). The architectural style is listed in the architectural survey. Surveys can be found here.
3. The architectural significance of the building (non-contributing, contributing, significant). The significance is listed in the architectural survey. Surveys can be found here.
   •  Architectural Significance. Embodying the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, style or method or use of indigenous construction, or representing the work of an important builder, designer, architect or craftsman who has contributed to the development of the community, county, state or nation.
   •  Non-Contributing. A building, structure or site that does not have architectural or historic significance, and does not add to the overall character and significance of an historic district, due to a lack of architectural or historical merit or its incompatibility with other buildings, structures and sites. Noncontributing buildings are usually characterized by either older buildings with additions or exterior alterations that are incompatible with the character of the original construction, or newer buildings whose design is incompatible with older buildings in the area or whose placement is incompatible with the historic pattern of development in the area.
   •  Contributing. A building, structure or site that may not necessarily have architectural or historic significance as a single property, but which adds to the overall character and significance of an historic district due to its architectural or historical merit and its compatibility with other buildings, structures and sites within an architectural or historic setting such as a neighborhood. Contributing buildings, structures and sites are considered to be an integral part of an historic district.
4. General Architectural and Aesthetic Guidelines that can be found here.
5. Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation that can be found here.
6. Historic material on the building currently vs new material.
7. What the material presented looks like (for example, wood may have been historically used on a home but a faux wood may be approved based on what that material looks like compared to wood)

Property owners are encouraged to consult with the Commission during the planning stages of a project to determine if their proposal meets the applicable guidelines. 

Zoning laws set limits on how a property can be used, and this ordinance is part of the St. Charles Zoning Ordinance. The goal of the Historic Preservation Commission is to protect property values by encouraging contemporary uses of property while protecting exterior architectural and historic resources.

No- Decisions on the use of materials in the Historic District are made on a case-by-case basis. The Commission asses each proposal against the review standards. Factors considered include:

• The rating of the building in the Architectural Survey.
• The existing building materials and their condition.
• Whether materials are original to the building and whether they can be preserved.
• The conditions in the neighborhood, including the materials on nearby buildings.
• The details of the proposed materials including size, texture, finishing, installation, etc.

No. The Historic Preservation Ordinance chapter 17.32, does not require you to restore your building or to make improvements when you don’t have any plans to do so. Further, making a newer building look old is not required – in fact, it is contrary to the guidelines. If you decide to improve your property or carry out repairs, the ordinance requires the project to be consistent with the overall architectural character of the building and the district as a whole.

There is no specific rule prohibiting certain types of materials on buildings in the Historic District. This applies to siding, doors, windows, fences, or any other structure.

Decisions on the use of materials in the Historic District are made on a case-by-case basis by the Historic Preservation Commission. The Commission assesses each individual proposal against the standards in the Historic Preservation Ordinance for the purpose of issuing a "Certificate of Appropriateness" or COA.

Yes.  Additions can be made to historic buildings if they are compatible with the architectural character of the original building, and meet all zoning requirements such as lot coverage and setbacks.

Please see our Historic Preservation page on the City website for more information.

Yes- Changes to non-historic building are evaluated to determine if there will be any detrimental impact on adjacent properties. Changes should be compatible with and maintain the existing contemporary style. The Historic Commission is required to apply the “maximum flexibility” allowed by the ordinance in its review of changes for buildings that have little historic or architectural significance. 

To request a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) review, submit a COA application form. Information on the review process and submittal requirements are listed on the application form, located on the Certificate of Appropriateness web page.

A COA application can be submitted before a building permit is applied for, or at the same time. For larger projects, it is recommended to obtain COA approval before preparing construction drawings for building permit.

Additional information on Historic Districts and landmarks can be found here.

Additionally, My Property Info allows you to look up specific properties and find data. 

The benefits to having CLG Status include:      

1. The City plays a direct role in the National Register of Historic Places nomination process.
2. The City is eligible to receive grant funds set aside specifically for CLG projects.
3. The City may participate in other state and federal historic preservation programs.
4. The City may receive direct technical assistance from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (IHPA).
5. Owners of income-producing property in the Historic District may be eligible for Federal Income Tax Credits.
6. Homeowners may be eligible for a property tax freeze relative to improvements made in compliance with The Historic Preservation Ordinance.

Approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness is required to obtain a building permit for any construction, alteration, repair, demolition or relocation that affects the exterior architectural appearance of any structure within a historic district, and for any structure that is designated a landmark. A COA is not required for work that does not require a permit (such as painting, tuckpointing, etc.).

You can submit a written statement to request a Certificate of Economic Hardship, which if approved allows your project to proceed without a COA.

Alterations to one building can affect nearby properties. Therefore, proposed alterations are evaluated for compliance with the ordinance guidelines to determine if there will be any detrimental impact on adjacent properties. Alterations should be compatible with and maintain the existing contemporary style. The Historic Commission is required to apply the “maximum flexibility” allowed by the ordinance in its review of applications for structures that have little historic or architectural significance.

The ordinance protects significant historic and architectural resources and can delay or stop demolitions or inappropriate alterations.  Such changes can result in the loss of the community’s historic and architectural character and heritage.  Inappropriate changes can have a negative impact on the property values and architectural integrity of all the properties within the historic district.

For more information please visit the Historic Preservation page on the City's website.

No- A number of properties within the proposed Historic District boundaries are already designated as Landmarks by the City. These properties have plaques that read “Designated Landmark” with a City of St Charles logo. These properties are already subject to the Historic Preservation requirements, and the Historic District designation will have no additional impact.

A number of properties in the area have other types of plaques indicating year of construction or other information. These buildings are likely not office City landmarks. If you have a question on a specific property, contact the Planning Division at 630-377-4443.