** COVID-19 UPDATE - Please Read **
Limited review of applications will continue by staff.
Commission meetings for the month of March have been cancelled and future meetings are subject to cancellation
due to COVID-19. Please refer to the city’s legislative calendar for information on meeting cancellations:
https://richmondva.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx.
C.A.R. Additional Requirement
-
For a
Certificate of Appropriateness,
the
Commission of Architectural Review
requires
1 (one) hard copy
of the
application
and
plans
to be
submitted to Room 510 of City Hall and
one digital copy.
CAR - Fees - Frequently Asked Questions
-
Why are fees being charged now?
Planning and Preservation has been the only division within the Department of Planning and
Development Review that has not charged for applications. The fees established by City Council will help
to cover costs associated with reviewing and processing applications, including public notification
requirements and staff time.
-
Are there fees for all projects?
No. Applications that can be administratively approved by staff and conceptual reviews will not be
charged a fee. In general applications that require fees include new construction including additions and
accessory buildings, changes to approved plans, extensions to Certificates of Appropriateness, and full
demolitions.
-
Does my application require a fee?
The fee schedule for applications for Certificates of Appropriateness can be found below. For questions
regarding fees for specific applications please contact Planning and Preservation staff.
-
How do I pay the fee?
Applicants will receive an invoice through the City's Online Permitting Portal (OPP).
Invoices can be paid
with a credit card. Visa, Master Card, or Discover are accepted. For more information please see the
OPP User Guide,
available on the City's website. Use this link to register for the OPP:
https://energov.richmondgov.com/EnerGov_Prod/selfservice#/register.
-
When are fees due?
Once a complete application has been received, applicants who have pre-registered for the OPP will
receive an email directing them to an invoice in the OPP. Invoices must be paid before an application can
be scheduled for a Commission meeting. Incomplete applications will not be invoiced and will be returned
to the applicant.
-
How can I prevent a delay in scheduling my application for Commission review?
Billing contacts must be registered for the OPP prior to receiving an invoice. We recommend registering
for the OPP prior to submitting an application. Applicants that have not pre-registered for OPP will be
contacted by staff. Incomplete applications cannot be invoiced or scheduled for review. Staff is happy to
informally review applications for completeness prior to the submittal deadline. Invoices should be paid
as soon as they are received. If payment is not received, the application cannot be placed on the
agenda.
-
What is the fee for the extension of a COA? Is this an on-going fee?
No. This fee is generally for projects that have approval from the Commission but have not yet received
permits and require additional review and coordination by staff.
| Project Type |
Fee |
| Full Demolition |
$1,500 |
New construction of or an addition to a building other than for a single-
or two-family dwelling or accessory building, including multi-family
or mixed-use developments |
$500 |
New construction of or an addition to a single- or two-family dwelling,
or accessory building |
$250 |
Amendments to previous certificates of appropriateness concerning
non-structural alterations, changes to signage, and changes to plans |
$150 |
| Extension of a certificate of appropriateness |
$25 |
The Richmond Commission of Architectural Review (CAR) was established by City Council in 1957. The CAR is the
city's official historic preservation body and is charged with reviewing all exterior changes to structures within the
city's Old and Historic Districts and issuing Certificates of Appropriateness for those projects that it deems to be
appropriate.
When a neighborhood organization or other applicable entity submits a nomination request, the CAR oversees the
process for designation of Old and Historic Districts and makes a final recommendation for designation to City Council.
The CAR also assists and advises City Council, all city boards and departments,
and property owners in matters involving historic resources relating to appropriate
land use, zoning, and other issues.
The current members are as follows.
| Members |
Affiliation |
| Mr. James Klaus, Chair |
Citizen-at-large |
| Mr. Neville C. Johnson, Jr., Vice-Chair |
Richmond Association of Realtors |
| Mr. Jason Hendricks |
Citizen-at-large |
| Mr. Sanford Bond, FAIA |
American Institute of Architects |
| Ms. Ashleigh Brewer |
Citizen-at-large |
| Mr. Mitchell Danese |
Citizen-at-large |
| Ms. Kathleen Morgan |
Citizen-at-large |
| Mr. Sean Wheeler |
Citizen-at-large |
| Mr. Lane Pearson |
Historic Richmond Foundation |
To learn more about the members and their terms,
click here
or contact
Secretary to the Commission of Architectural Review
900 E. Broad St., Rm. 510
Richmond, VA 23219
Map It
Phone: (804)646-6335
The CAR meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month, except in December when it meets on the third Tuesday.
Special meetings are held as necessary. Unless otherwise
indicated, all meetings are held in the 5th Floor Conference Room starting at 3:30 p.m.
The table below provides a list of meeting dates for the CAR and submission deadline dates for each meeting. Please
click here to view the Legistar calendar in order to
view meeting agendas and minutes.
Click here
if you want to view agendas or minutes from previous year’s meetings.
2021 Meeting Dates
(Tuesdays unless noted otherwise) |
Application Deadlines
(Friday at 12 noon unless noted otherwise) |
| January 26th |
December 28th * ( Monday at Noon ) |
| February 23rd |
January 29th |
| March 23rd |
February 26th |
| April 27th |
March 26th |
| May 25th |
April 30th |
| June 22nd |
May 28th |
| July 27th |
June 25th |
| August 24th |
July 30th |
| September 28th |
August 27th |
| October 26th |
October 1st |
| November 23rd |
October 29th |
| December 21st |
November 29th * ( Monday at Noon ) |
To Determine if your Property is in a City Old and Historic District
To Determine if your Property is in a National Register Historic District
City Old & Historic District Maps
Keeping Citizens Informed!