Apply for Historic Review

Step 1.TO MAKE AN APPLICATION 

Applications for properties that are located in a historic district may need to be heard by the Historic Preservation Commission. The City’s Historic Commission meets on a monthly basis. All applications must be submitted a minimum of 10 business days in advance of the next regularly scheduled meeting in order to be heard at that meeting. 

You will have to show the plans for your work to the Historic Preservation Commission so that it can make sure that the repair is appropriate. In some cases, the matter can be reviewed and approved by staff. In other cases, you may have to go before the Commission itself.

The Department of Development Services uses the Accela portal to accept all Planning and Zoning applications. Please create an account to submit applications.

After logging on, you should be able to "Select a Record Type" for the applicable application. To view existing applications and check their status, please select "My Records".

To start a Historic Application, please choose the “Design Review” Record Group and select the “Historic Preservation” Record Type.

Required Attachments May Include:

• Existing documentation of the property, structure, and/or exterior area to be modified with photographs
• Drawings, sketches, plans, elevations, renderings, or other example images that show the existing conditions and proposed design
• Product specifications/cut sheets for relevant building products

Submit Application

**If you are not sure which option to select, email oneplan@hartford.gov with a basic description of your project and your question(s)**

Step 2.GENERAL APPLICATION PROCEDURES

COMPLETENESS OF AN APPLICATION

Applications must be submitted with supporting documents in order to begin the review process. If the application is not submitted by the owner of record directly, owner authorization is required for the application to be accepted. 

Costs of permits vary based upon permit type. If more than one permit is required, the cost is the total of all applicable fees. Fees must be paid at time of application.

Applicants will be notified if the submittal is deemed incomplete. Correspondence will include the list of documents or fees that are required to proceed. If outstanding documents have not been received after 65 days, the incomplete application will be denied. A new application must be submitted to continue the request.

APPLICATION REVIEW TIMELINES

Applicants will be notified once all supporting documents and fees have been received by intake staff. The application will then be transferred to Plan Reviewers for processing.

Review Types:

• Administrative Reviews: Certain types are permitted "by-right". This means they are permitted in the corresponding district without conditions. Although these requests are permitted, they still require going through the plan review process as the form-based code specifics design details which must be followed.

  Applications undergoing administrative review may take up to 35 days to process, depending on the type of request.

• Commission Reviews: The Table of Principal Uses in the Zoning Regulations may indicate that a use is permitted by special permit, which can only be granted by the Planning and Zoning Commission. Likewise, demolition requests and changes in material of properties in historic districts must be heard by the Historic Commission, and applicants seeking an exception from the Zoning Regulations must appear before the Zoning Board of Appeals. These meetings provide opportunity for the public to formally comment before a decision is made. 

  Per Connecticut General Statute (state law), public hearings must be opened within 65 days of receipt of a complete application. Staff will be in contact to schedule the public hearing date. 

Approvals:

• The request may be approved, approved with conditions, or denied by the Zoning Administrator or by the Commission
• The Historic Ordinance does not control for color but it does control the appropriate types of materials used on projects 

DECISIONS

No decision is final until a permit or notice recorded by the Town Clerk’s Office is issued. Note that after a Commission Hearing a Notice of Decision must first be published in the newspaper. Note as well that applications are subject to appeal periods after a decision is made.

If your request is denied, you have the right to appeal. If you are a party that is aggrieved by a decision that was made you ALSO have the right to appeal. Administrative Appeals are heard by the Zoning Board of Appeals. To file for an appeal visit the “File An Appeal” page.