Historic District COA: Exterior Changes in Elmwood Village

Thinking about a new porch, windows, or solar panels on your Elmwood Village home? If your property sits in a local historic district or is individually landmarked, you may need a Certificate of Appropriateness before you start. It can feel like one more step, but it protects the character that makes Elmwood Village special and can save you time and money in the long run. In this guide, you’ll learn what a COA is, when you need one, how the process works in Buffalo, and smart ways to plan your project. Let’s dive in.

What a COA means in Elmwood Village

A Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) is a local approval that allows exterior work on properties in designated historic districts or on locally landmarked sites. The goal is to keep exterior changes visually compatible with the surrounding streetscape. In Elmwood Village, many homes are late 19th and early 20th century wood-frame or masonry buildings with distinctive porches, windows, and rooflines, so review often focuses on those features.

Local designation carries the most impact on what you can change. National Register listing recognizes historic significance but does not, by itself, restrict alterations unless federal funding or permits are involved. State preservation offices provide guidance and manage tax credit programs, but they do not issue local COAs.

Do you need a COA?

If your project will change the exterior appearance that is visible from a public way, plan on a COA if the property is locally designated. That includes front elevations and often side views. Routine, like-for-like maintenance may be exempt, but it is always smart to confirm before you start work.

How to check designation

• Review the City of Buffalo’s preservation maps or contact the Historic Preservation Office to confirm local district or landmark status.
• Look at the property’s assessor record for any notes on landmarking or historic districts.
• Use state or federal databases to see if the property is on the National Register. This helps with incentives but does not set local rules.
• When in doubt, request a written determination from Buffalo preservation staff.

Typical features under review

Elmwood Village blocks have a clear rhythm of porches, setbacks, rooflines, and window patterns. Expect review attention on materials, porch elements, window openings, and any new construction that affects scale or massing.

Exterior projects that trigger review

The following types of work commonly require COA review when visible from the street:

• New construction and additions, including dormers and towers, evaluated for scale, massing, and fenestration.
• Demolition or partial demolition, especially removal of primary facades or porches.
• Porch, stair, and primary entrance changes that alter form or details.
• Window replacement or alterations to sash patterns, trim, or openings.
• Siding or masonry changes, including removal of original material or installation of synthetic cladding.
• Roofing changes that alter visible materials, rooflines, cornices, or parapets.
• New exterior elements such as fences, gates, driveways, signage, awnings, and accessibility ramps.
• Mechanical equipment and utilities that are visible from public ways.
• Solar panels or other sustainability upgrades, especially if placed on street-facing roof slopes.

What may be exempt or fast-tracked

Many programs exempt ordinary maintenance that restores existing features without altering appearance. In-kind repair, such as repainting or fixing a damaged wood baluster to match the original, may be considered maintenance. Emergency stabilization can sometimes be reviewed after the fact, but penalties may apply if changes are not consistent with standards. Always verify with Buffalo preservation staff before starting any significant work.

Step-by-step COA process in Buffalo

While details vary by project, you can expect a process like this:

1. Pre-application talk. Schedule a conversation with preservation staff to review your concept and avoid design conflicts early.
2. Submit your application. Include photos of all street-visible elevations, scaled drawings or elevations, a site plan, product cutsheets and material samples, and a short narrative describing how your proposal meets applicable design standards.
3. Staff review and hearing. Staff may approve minor items or schedule your project for a Preservation Board hearing.
4. Decision. The Board may approve, conditionally approve, deny, or ask for revisions.
5. Permits and work. After COA approval, secure any required building permits before construction. Follow any conditions exactly.
6. Inspections and compliance. The city may inspect work to confirm it matches the approval.

Timeline expectations: minor work can sometimes be approved in weeks, while complex additions or demolition requests can take longer. Build in time to revise drawings, coordinate contractors, and align building permits.

Design standards you should know

Most reviews apply the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation as a guiding framework. These standards prioritize repairing historic materials, keeping character-defining features, and making new work compatible without mimicking original elements. Boards consider scale, massing, window and door patterns, rooflines, materials, and finishes when judging compatibility.

Key principles to keep in mind:

• Keep changes reversible when possible.
• Match the texture, profile, and proportions of historic materials.
• Preserve window and door openings and trim details.
• Protect distinctive roof forms, cornices, and porch elements.

Smart strategies for common projects

The best path is to plan early, document clearly, and design for compatibility. Here are practical tips for work that often comes up in Elmwood Village.

Windows

Repair original wood windows where feasible. If replacement is necessary, match the proportions, sightlines, and muntin patterns. Composite or clad products may be acceptable if they closely match historic profiles. Consider interior storm windows to boost efficiency without changing exterior appearance.

Porches and entries

Document existing conditions and any historic evidence, such as old photos, before proposing changes. Reconstruct missing elements using traditional details if you can demonstrate the original form. Keep dimensions and baluster spacing consistent with historic context.

Siding and masonry

Avoid removing original wood clapboard or historic masonry to install synthetic cladding. If replacement is unavoidable, match the reveal, coursing, and texture. For masonry, specify appropriate mortar type and joint profile.

Roofing and roof features

If the roof is visible, color and texture matter. Retain dormers, cornices, and parapets. Some modern materials can be acceptable if the appearance matches the historic character when viewed from the street.

Solar and mechanical equipment

Place solar panels on rear roof slopes or where they are least visible from public ways. Set equipment back from the roof edge on flat roofs, and screen ground-mounted units within rear yards when possible.

Incentives and assistance

Income-producing historic buildings may qualify for a 20 percent federal Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit when work meets the Secretary’s Standards. State and local programs may also offer credits, grants, or low-interest loans. Availability and requirements change, so check current guidance with New York State’s preservation office and the City of Buffalo before you finalize plans.

Preservation nonprofits and neighborhood groups often provide technical resources and owner workshops. Local experts and qualified contractors familiar with historic materials can help you design for approval on the first try.

For buyers and sellers: due diligence tips

If you are buying in Elmwood Village and plan exterior work, ask for any COA records during your inspection period. Review prior approvals, pending applications, and any outstanding conditions. Build time for COA review into your renovation schedule.

If you are selling, gather documentation on past exterior work and approvals. Disclose known restrictions and any open permits or COAs. Clear, organized records help buyers feel confident and keep your transaction on track.

Simple prep checklist

• Confirm local landmark or district status for your parcel.
• Schedule a pre-application meeting with preservation staff.
• Photograph all street-visible elevations and the surrounding streetscape.
• Hire contractors with historic-preservation experience.
• Assemble drawings, elevations, a site plan, product cutsheets, and material samples.
• Write a short narrative connecting your design to compatibility criteria and the Secretary’s Standards.
• Research potential tax credits or grants and the documentation they require.

Ready to talk through your Elmwood Village plans or how a COA might affect your sale or purchase timeline? Reach out for local guidance, contractor introductions, and a clear plan to move forward with confidence. Connect with Susan Lenahan for a neighborly, expert approach that keeps your goals front and center.

FAQs

Do I need a COA for exterior work in Elmwood Village?

• Not always. Routine, like-for-like maintenance may be exempt, but visible changes to materials, windows, porches, or rooflines usually require a COA if the property is locally designated. Confirm with Buffalo preservation staff before starting.

How is local designation different from National Register listing?

• Local designation triggers COA review for exterior changes visible from public ways. National Register listing recognizes significance and can open tax incentives, but it does not create local restrictions by itself.

What documents should I include in a COA application for Buffalo?

• Provide photos of all street-visible elevations, scaled drawings or elevations, a site plan, product cutsheets and material samples, and a short narrative explaining how the work meets design standards.

Will a COA delay my project or home sale in Elmwood Village?

• Minor projects can be approved in weeks, while complex additions or demolition can take longer. Buyers should review COA records during due diligence, and sellers should disclose known restrictions and approvals.

What happens if work starts without a COA on a designated property?

• Contact preservation staff immediately. After-the-fact review may be possible, but penalties, stop-work orders, or requirements to restore altered features can apply.

Are vinyl replacement windows acceptable on historic homes in Elmwood Village?

• It depends on visibility and how closely the product matches historic profiles and sightlines. Many boards prefer repairing original wood sash or using historically appropriate replacements. Interior storm windows are a good efficiency alternative.