Planning to swap a window, repaint brick, or add a porch in Old Town? In the Old & Historic Alexandria District, even simple exterior changes can trigger review. You want to preserve your home’s character and avoid delays, fines, or costly do-overs. This guide breaks down what the Board of Architectural Review looks for, which projects need approval, and how to plan work that gets a green light. Let’s dive in.
BAR basics for Old Town homes
The City’s Board of Architectural Review oversees exterior changes in the Old & Historic Alexandria District. Its role is to protect the historic character you see on Old Town’s streets. Most exterior work visible from a public street goes through staff review or a public BAR hearing.
You will often need a Certificate of Appropriateness before you can pull building permits for exterior work. The BAR uses the city’s Design Guidelines and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards to evaluate projects. Early contact with BAR staff saves time and helps you avoid redesigns.
Projects that usually need approval
If it is visible from the street, expect review. Common project types include:
- Windows: full-frame replacements, changes in material, sash configuration, muntin pattern, size, or operation.
- Doors and entries: replacing historic doors, changing door styles, transoms, or sidelights. New street-facing garage or roll-up doors.
- Facades: creating or removing openings, applying new cladding, changing siding materials, or altering the facade rhythm.
- Porches and stoops: enclosing, removing, or significantly altering original elements. New or reconstructed porches.
- Roofs and cornices: material changes on visible slopes, dormers, rooftop additions, or new skylights visible from the street.
- Masonry: repointing mortar, painting previously unpainted brick, or any repair that changes color, texture, or joint profile.
- Chimneys: removal, replacement, or visible profile changes.
- Additions and new construction: vertical or rooftop additions and visible rear additions in some cases.
- Mechanical and utilities: HVAC condensers, satellite dishes, and solar panels when visible from the public right-of-way.
- Site features: signage, railings, fences, gates, and light fixtures in public-facing areas.
Some like-for-like repairs and routine maintenance may qualify for staff approval. Confirm with BAR staff before you start.
Materials and design that win approvals
The core principle is simple: repair first, replace only when needed, and match historic materials, profiles, and proportions.
Windows
Repair original sash and frames when feasible. If replacement is necessary, match the original operation, pane pattern, sash depth, and muntin profiles. Wood or painted wood-clad is typically most compatible on primary elevations. Vinyl on street-facing facades is often a problem. If using simulated divided lites, choose profiles that recreate historic sightlines and shadow lines. Storm windows can be a good energy solution if thin, painted, and unobtrusive.
Doors and entries
Keep historic doors when possible. Replacements should replicate panel patterns, glazing, and proportions. Use historically compatible materials, typically wood. Storm or screen doors should be simple, painted to match, and should not cover significant details.
Masonry
Use compatible mortar mixes for repointing and match color and joint profile. High-strength Portland cement mortars can damage historic brick and are often disallowed. Painting previously unpainted brick is discouraged and may require full review. Repainting previously painted surfaces may be permitted, but major color changes can need approval.
Siding and cladding
Repair historic wood siding where you can. If replacement is necessary, match the exposure, profile, and trim details. Synthetic siding is scrutinized. Even if allowed on secondary elevations, it must match historic dimensions and trim conditions closely.
Roofing and cornices
Preserve slate, wood, or standing seam metal where they exist. Architectural-grade shingles are sometimes acceptable on secondary slopes. Keep new skylights and rooftop equipment out of public view. Dormers and profile changes face close review.
Porches, railings, and stairs
Retain original columns, railings, and treads. Replacements should match the scale and detailing. New guardrails or infill should be compatible, not overly modern or overly ornate.
Additions and new construction
Design additions to be compatible and subordinate in scale. Do not mimic historic work so closely that old and new are indistinguishable. Setbacks, rooflines, and visibility from the street are key to approval.
Mechanical and solar
Place HVAC and similar equipment on rear or side yards when possible and screen views. Solar panels may be considered if they are low-profile and are not visible from public streets.
Color
Historically informed palettes are preferred. Major color changes on primary elevations can require review. Confirm with staff before you paint.
Plan your project the right way
Good planning saves months. Use this approach to streamline your approval.
Start with staff
Contact BAR staff early. They can tell you whether your idea needs a staff sign-off or a public hearing and what drawings or samples to prepare. Ask for precedents of similar approvals in your block.
Build a complete packet
Most successful applications include:
- Clear photos of the full facade, context, and close-ups of changes.
- A site plan showing the house, lot, and street.
- Scaled elevations, existing and proposed, with dimensions and materials.
- Detail drawings for windows, doors, trim, railings, and flashing.
- Manufacturer cut sheets and physical samples or boards. Photos alone are not enough.
- Contractor or architect drawings for larger work and a brief note explaining why repair is not feasible if you propose replacement.
Expect realistic timelines
Staff approvals can take a few days to a few weeks. Public hearings usually run 4 to 8 weeks from submission to decision, depending on deadlines, notices, and complexity. Many exterior window or door projects take 2 to 4 months from concept to permits. Larger additions can take longer.
Improve your approval odds
- Document that you considered repair first.
- Match original profiles and proportions, not just color.
- Keep modern materials to rear or less visible elevations when possible.
- Offer energy upgrades that do not change appearances, like interior storms or weather-stripping.
- Consider a concept review before filing a full application.
Common pitfalls to avoid
- Proposing vinyl or incompatible windows on primary street-facing facades.
- Changing window size, spacing, or rhythm on the front elevation.
- Using hard, incompatible mortar or painting unpainted historic brick.
- Installing visible HVAC units, skylights, or solar arrays without screening or setback.
- Enclosing or removing original porches and stoops.
- Submitting incomplete drawings or no material samples.
If you skip approval
Work performed without a required Certificate of Appropriateness can trigger stop-work orders, fines, and orders to restore the prior condition. It is faster and less expensive to coordinate with BAR staff in advance than to fix a violation after the fact.
Incentives and expert help
Federal rehabilitation tax credits typically apply only to income-producing historic properties and require meeting the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards. Local grants and programs change over time. Check with the City and local preservation groups for current offerings. BAR staff, preservation consultants, and experienced contractors familiar with Old Town precedents are invaluable.
Quick homeowner checklist
- Contact BAR staff before you design or demo.
- Ask if your work qualifies for staff approval.
- Gather photos, site plan, scaled elevations, and detail drawings.
- Include manufacturer cut sheets and real samples.
- Be ready to show why repair is not feasible if you propose replacement.
- Plan for 4 to 12 weeks for review and permits depending on scope.
Ready to plan a compliant update that protects your home’s value? For tailored guidance on timing, scope, and market impact for Old Town listings, reach out to Leslie Shafer. We can help you align design, approvals, and your sale timeline.
FAQs
What is the BAR in Old Town and why does it matter?
- It is the City’s review board that evaluates exterior changes visible from public streets in the Old & Historic Alexandria District to protect historic character.
Do I need approval to replace windows on a street-facing facade?
- Yes, full replacements and changes to material, size, or muntin pattern typically require a Certificate of Appropriateness or staff review.
Can I paint previously unpainted historic brick in Old Town?
- Painting unpainted brick is often discouraged and requires review; the BAR may not approve coatings that could damage historic masonry.
What roofing changes usually trigger BAR review?
- Visible material changes, new dormers, rooftop additions, or skylights that can be seen from the street usually require approval.
How long does a typical BAR approval take in Old Town?
- Staff approvals can be days to weeks, while public hearings often take 4 to 8 weeks from submission; plan 2 to 4 months for common exterior projects.
Are solar panels allowed on Old Town roofs?
- They may be considered if low-profile and not visible from public streets; placement and visibility are key review factors.
What happens if work starts without a Certificate of Appropriateness?
- The City can issue a stop-work order, fines, and require restoration to the previous approved condition.
