Design Review

The Design Review Committee is responsible for reviewing new construction and any addition, alteration or improvement made to any structure in a Historic District, in the public right-of-way, or to property owned by the City. Examples of alterations and improvements include new roofs, siding, windows, fences, rebuilding of porches, additions, etc.

Design Guidelines and Maps by District

Contact: 

Department of Planning and Community Development

Telephone: (757) 664-4752

Facsimile: (757) 441-1569
E-mail: anne.guthrie@norfolk.gov

Requirements:
Depending on the nature of the project, the following should be submitted:

• Site plans, floor plans, building elevations with appropriate detail on the design of doors, windows, ornamentation, signs, lighting, visible mechanical equipment, and other details
• Landscape plans
• Proposed signs
• Proposed lighting
• Samples of colors and materials
• Preliminary engineering plans for streets, paths, parking lots, etc
• Photographs of the site, building, and/or surrounding properties
• Any other information that would assist the Committee in evaluating the application

Procedure:

• The applicant presents his request to the Design Review Committee
• The Committee makes a recommendation to the Planning Commission
• Staff presents the request to the Planning Commission
• Planning Commission may approve or deny the application
• If the application effects property in an Historic District, and is approved by the Design Review Committee and the Planning Commission, a Certificate of Appropriateness is issued

Time Frame:
2 Weeks

Fees:
None

Other:
No building permit shall be issued and no certificate of occupancy issued, unless a certificate of appropriateness has first been obtained. In addition, the Board of Zoning Appeals shall take no action in cases where certificates of appropriateness are involved until such certificates are obtained.