Design Review Ordinance

The City of Van Wert enacted a Design Review ordinance in June of 2000 to promote the redevelopment of the Downtown District. The Design Review Board established under this ordinance is responsible for approving any exterior construction or alterations to properties and buildings within the Downtown. Revised in 2010, this ordinance requires property owners to submit their proposed work for approval before they can to receive a building permit and begin construction. The form used is called the Certificate of Appropriateness. Once signed, the owner uses this form to obtain a construction permit.
The City of Van Wert requires this be submitted regardless of whether or not a building permit is required for the proposed project. This is required for any exterior changes to a building which are visible from the public sidewalk, including painting, signs or permanent window graphics, and lights. The Design Review Board along with City Council have adopted guidelines for the restoration and rehabilitation of buildings in the Downtown District based on the US Department of Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings.
Each submitted Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) should include a description of the proposed changes, photographs of the existing building, photos or drawings of the proposed changes (if applicable), and any other materials necessary to fully explain the project and the changes to the building. It is the role of the Design Review Board to review the proposed changes to ensure they are in accordance with the City of Van Wert Design Review Guidelines, as well as the SOI's Standards for Rehabilitation.
It is the building owner's responsibility to contact the Design Review Board to obtain approval before you make any exterior changes to your building. The Board emphasizes the need to follow this procedure before making any changes or purchasing materials to avoid unnecessary expenses to the owner.
The Van Wert Design Review Board meets monthly on the third Thursday of each month. Meetings are held at 8:00 am, on the 2nd floor of the Van Wert Municipal Building.
The Downtown Design Review Guidelines and Certificate of Appropriateness can be downloaded below.
The City of Van Wert requires this be submitted regardless of whether or not a building permit is required for the proposed project. This is required for any exterior changes to a building which are visible from the public sidewalk, including painting, signs or permanent window graphics, and lights. The Design Review Board along with City Council have adopted guidelines for the restoration and rehabilitation of buildings in the Downtown District based on the US Department of Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings.
Each submitted Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) should include a description of the proposed changes, photographs of the existing building, photos or drawings of the proposed changes (if applicable), and any other materials necessary to fully explain the project and the changes to the building. It is the role of the Design Review Board to review the proposed changes to ensure they are in accordance with the City of Van Wert Design Review Guidelines, as well as the SOI's Standards for Rehabilitation.
It is the building owner's responsibility to contact the Design Review Board to obtain approval before you make any exterior changes to your building. The Board emphasizes the need to follow this procedure before making any changes or purchasing materials to avoid unnecessary expenses to the owner.
The Van Wert Design Review Board meets monthly on the third Thursday of each month. Meetings are held at 8:00 am, on the 2nd floor of the Van Wert Municipal Building.
The Downtown Design Review Guidelines and Certificate of Appropriateness can be downloaded below.
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