Activities requiring a COA include the following:

1. Any changes of materials in the exterior appearance of existing buildings or structures;
2.  Any alterations or additions to the exterior of buildings or structures - i.e.: changes to windows, doors, roofs, siding porches, entranceway, stairs, railings, etc; 
3. Demolition or partial demolition of any building or structure; 
4. Any new construction;
5. The erection of fences or walls and the installation of storage sheds, gazebos, swimming pools, satellite dishes, fountains, arbors, driveways, sidewalks, etc.

You do not need a COA for:

1. Interior changes, as long as they do not affect the outside elements, such as: windows and doors. 
2. Painting, as long as the color of paint used is compatible with the historic district and neighborhood. For masonry, paint if historically painted, but do not paint if historically unpainted. 

A COA is a prerequisite to the issuance of any other permits required by law. A building permit or other municipal permit shall be invalid if it is obtained without a COA. In addition to building permits becoming invalid without a COA, if work is preformed prior to COA being approved, a fee of $100 will be assessed. 

It is recommended that property owners discuss their projects with staff prior to submitting the COA application packet by emailing historic@ocalafl.org.  

Application must include, and be submitted 30 days prior to the preferred meeting date:

• Completed COA Application form
• Plans, drawings, illustrations, and
• Material specifications,
• Site plan to be provided for additions to buildings, new construction (including garages, sheds, other accessory buildings), fences, and site work (including driveways, parking areas and other improvements).  The site plan shall show setbacks of the proposed new work items from property lines. Attach additional pages as necessary
• A set of building plans (no larger than 11 x 17) for structural changes or new construction, including all four elevations, drawn to scale with dimensions.
• Copy of deed or proof of ownership
• If applicable letter of authorization for meeting representative

There is no application fee; however, if work is started without a COA, there is a fee of $100.

OHPAB meets the first Thursday of every month beginning at 4:00 p.m. in Council Chambers, located on the second floor of City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave., Ocala, FL.

If the owner cannot attend the OHPAB meeting, a representative can attend provided an authorization letter from the property owner is with the COA application. Application submissions can be mailed, dropped off at the Growth Management Department or emailed to historic@ocalafl.org

The COA is a prerequiset to the issuance of any other permits required by law. A building permit or other municipal permit shall be invalid if it is obtained without a COA. 

As required by Section 94-82(g) of the City of Ocala Code of Ordinances, OHPAB decisions on the COAs will be based on the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings (SOI Standards), the Ocala Historic Preservation Design Guidelines (Guidelines), and the Ocala Historic Preservation Code

OHPAB interprets and applies these three resources to make findings on COA applications. The appropriateness of a COA request is determined on a case-by-case basis by historical documentation, if it exists, or what material was known to be on the structure the longest within the last 50 years. The appropriateness of a COA request is based on the specifics of a particular property – age, style, and historic integrity.  It is not relevant to justify a particular alteration or material because other houses in the vicinity may have that same type of material.

The basic premise in the treatment of all historic buildings is identifying, retaining, and preserving the form and detailing of those architectural materials and features of the building that are important in defining its historic character.  In general, exterior alterations shall not diminish the architectural quality or historical character of the building or the building site.  Another important factor in determining the appropriateness of a proposed alteration is - does it radically change historic features which are important in defining the overall historic character of the building so that, as a result, the character is diminished.

Certificate of Appropriateness are valid for six (6) months.  Provided construction is started within the six (6) month period, the owner will have twelve (12) months to complete the work.  An owner may request an extension from staff to either start or complete the work, or both.  If the property is sold before the work authorized by a COA has been started, the new owner would have to submit a new COA application.