Thinking about bringing a historic Paris home back to life, but unsure how to navigate approvals and timelines? You are not alone. Renovations in the Historic District come with extra steps, yet those steps protect the character that drew you to the home in the first place. In this guide, you will get a clear Certificate of Appropriateness game plan, practical timelines, money-saving incentives, and local resources to move from idea to approved project. Let’s dive in.
COA basics in Paris, KY
A Certificate of Appropriateness, or COA, is required before the City issues a building permit for most exterior work in Paris’s Historic District. The City’s Board of Architectural Review reviews your plans and decides whether the design fits local preservation standards. This applies to visible exterior changes, additions, demolitions, and signs. Interior-only work typically does not require a COA, but always confirm with the City. See the Paris Code for rules, timelines, and enforcement of “demolition by neglect” expectations in the Historic District section of the code.
Your step-by-step COA game plan
1) Confirm historic status
First, verify if your property sits inside the City’s Historic District and whether it is considered contributing. This affects review expectations and potential incentives. Start with the City’s Boards and Committees information to understand who reviews your project and when on the City’s site.
2) Talk to the City early
Reach out to the Building Inspector and the Board of Architectural Review before you hire contractors or order materials. Early feedback can save you a meeting cycle and prevent changes later. Ask what needs a COA and what to include in your submission.
3) Coordinate tax credits before work
If you plan to pursue state or federal historic tax credits, contact the Kentucky Heritage Council before you begin. Their process uses Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 forms, and starting construction too soon can put your credits at risk. Review the state’s application parts and timing in the Kentucky administrative regulations for certified rehabilitations.
4) Build a COA-ready package
Include clear, dated photos of all elevations and close-ups of character features. Add a site plan, proposed elevations, and material descriptions or samples. List contractors and scopes, and write a short narrative explaining how your plan preserves historic character, with specifics on matching materials, scale, and profiles. A simple, clear package helps the Board say yes.
5) Plan for meeting timing
Once the Building Inspector routes your application, the Board should meet within 14 days and must act within 30 days, unless you agree to an extension. Straightforward cases can finish in 2 to 6 weeks. Complex projects or revisions can take 8 to 12 weeks or more, so build that into your schedule.
6) If approved
You will receive a COA detailing what was approved. The Building Inspector can then issue your building permit when other codes are satisfied. Keep the COA on site so inspectors can verify compliance.
7) If denied or conditioned
You will receive written reasons. You can revise and resubmit or appeal per the code. Often, a focused revision that addresses the Board’s feedback is the fastest path forward.
Renovation choices that go smoother
Repair before replace
Boards favor repairs that keep historic materials and design intact. The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards prioritize retaining character and making compatible changes, which boosts both COA approval and tax-credit eligibility. Review the Standards on the National Park Service site to align your scope.
Windows that win approval
Document the condition of existing windows and propose repair where feasible. Weatherstripping, storms, and sash tune-ups often meet performance needs without losing character. For technical guidance, see this historic maintenance resource on windows and masonry from Lincoln, Nebraska’s preservation program.
Masonry, roofing, and porches
Use mortar mixes and methods appropriate to historic brick to prevent damage. Maintain roof and porch profiles, and match materials when replacement is necessary. Samples, profiles, and clear specs speed reviews and reduce back-and-forth.
Lead-safe work is a must
If your home predates 1978, assume you may have lead paint. Hire EPA RRP-certified contractors and include lead-safe practices in your scope. Learn the basics of lead-safe work practices to protect your household and stay compliant.
Money you can use: credits and sequencing
- Federal Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit: Income-producing properties may qualify for a federal credit equal to 20 percent of qualified rehabilitation costs. Projects must meet the Secretary’s Standards and complete the NPS three-part review. See a program overview on this federal credit summary.
- Kentucky Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit: Owner-occupied residences may qualify for up to 30 percent. Commercial and other properties may qualify for up to 20 percent. Review thresholds, caps, and basics on the Kentucky Department of Revenue page for tax credits, and study the KHC Parts 1 to 3 process in the state regulations before you begin.
- Stacking: If your project is income-producing, state and federal credits can often be combined to increase benefits. For general stacking context, see this overview of tax-credit stacking from a Kentucky-focused resource.
- Documentation and help: Keep thorough pre-rehab photos, receipts, and scope descriptions. Many owners work with preservation consultants. The Blue Grass Trust offers assistance and referrals for tax-credit applications.
Avoid these common pitfalls in Paris
- Starting exterior work before getting a COA, or before submitting Part 2 if you want credits, can lead to denial, fines, and lost incentives.
- Submitting vague plans or poor photos causes delays and extra meetings.
- Proposing demolition without robust structural reports, alternatives analysis, and salvage planning is difficult to approve. The code also discourages “demolition by neglect,” so include maintenance and weatherproofing plans.
Local contacts and next steps
- Confirm your Historic District status and ask if your work needs a COA.
- Meet City staff early to understand meeting schedules and documentation expectations.
- If credits are part of your plan, talk to the Kentucky Heritage Council and file Parts 1 and 2 before work.
- Assemble a COA-ready package with photos, drawings, materials, and a short preservation narrative.
- Hire preservation-minded contractors and include lead-safe work practices.
- Plan time for Board review, potential revisions, and inspections.
Renovating a historic home in Paris takes careful prep, but the right plan keeps your project moving and protects your home’s character. If you want help aligning timing, budget, and resale goals around a historic property purchase or sale, reach out to Courtney Smith for a practical next step.
FAQs
What is a Certificate of Appropriateness in Paris, KY?
- A COA is City approval required before permits for most exterior changes in the Historic District, reviewed by the Board of Architectural Review.
How long does COA approval take in Paris?
- The Board meets within 14 days of notification and must act within 30 days, with simple projects often taking 2 to 6 weeks and complex ones longer.
Do interior renovations require a COA in Paris?
- Purely interior work that does not affect the exterior typically does not require a COA, but confirm with the Building Inspector before you start.
Can I get tax credits for an owner-occupied historic home in Kentucky?
- Yes, Kentucky offers up to 30 percent for eligible owner-occupied projects, subject to thresholds, caps, and proper Part 1 to Part 3 filings.
Can I replace windows in a Paris Historic District home?
- You can propose replacement, but repair is preferred; if replacing, match historic profiles, muntins, and installation details to support approval.
What happens if I start exterior work without a COA in Paris?
- You risk denial, fines, and being required to undo work, and you could jeopardize state or federal tax-credit eligibility.
