SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS.
For the purpose of this Appendix Q, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
Visibility: Visible from within a 150-foot radius of the parcel boundaries. Visibility from a public right-of-way can be determined by drawing circles with a radius of 150 feet at each
corner of a lot that fronts on a public right-of-way and then determining which portions of a property are visible when standing in the public right-of-way.
Public Right-of-Way: A public right-of-way is a street or sidewalk.
Primary Façade or Elevation: A primary façade is a building’s main street-facing façade. Corner buildings have two primary façades.
Rear Façade or Elevation: The rear façade is located at the rear of the building and faces the backyard.
(Added by Ord. 15-26, File No. 251101, App. 2/13/2026, Eff. 3/16/2026)
SEC. 8. STANDARDS OF REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS.
The standards for review of all applications for Certificates of Appropriateness are as set forth in Section 1006.6 of Article 10. For the purposes of review under those standards, the
“character of the Historic District” shall mean the exterior architectural features of the Alert Alley Early Residential District referred to and described in Section 6 of this Appendix.
The three levels of review are: “No Certificate of Appropriateness” is required; an “Administrative Certificate of Appropriateness” is required, which is approved administratively by
Planning Department Preservation staff as delegated pursuant to Section 1006.2(b) of the Planning Code; and “Certificate of Appropriateness” is required pursuant to Section 1006 of the
Planning Code at a regularly scheduled Historic Preservation Commission hearing. The procedures, requirements, controls and standards of Article 10 of the Planning Code shall apply to
all applications for Certificates of Appropriateness and/or Administrative Certificates of Appropriateness in the Alert Alley Early Residential Historic District.
Any exterior change within the Alert Alley Early Residential Historic District shall require a Certificate of Appropriateness, pursuant to the provisions of Article 10, when such work
requires a City permit, with the exception of: scopes of work outlined in Section 1005(e)(1-10) of Article 10; projects subject to the Housing Accountability Act (HAA) that comply with
the Preservation Design Standards; and, the specific scopes of work as outlined below.
Ancillary Structures within the Rear Yard – Construction or Removal
No Certificate of Appropriateness shall be required for the construction of any structure within the rear yard that is no more than ten feet in height above grade and covers no more than
120 square feet of land regardless of visibility from public rights-of-way. A Certificate of Appropriateness shall not be required for the removal of any non-historic ancillary structure within
the rear yard.
Cladding
No Certificate of Appropriateness shall be required for replacement of cladding on rear facades not visible from the public right-of-way. Vinyl siding will not be permitted on any
elevation regardless of visibility.
Decks, Stairs & Railings
Front Stairways and Railings: No Certificate of Appropriateness shall be required for the replacement of stairways and/or railings with compatible stairways and/or railings provided
that the proposal is based on physical or documented evidence and is found to be compatible in terms of location, configuration, materials, and details with the character-defining features