Apply for a Certificate of Appropriateness

A Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) is an approval granted by the Historic and Landmarks Preservation Board for exterior modifications to a property within a locally designated historic district.

Complete applications are due 20 days prior to the next Historic and Landmarks Preservation Board (HLPB) meeting date. Complete applications should be emailed or 1 color hard copy delivered to the Planning Office. A complete application includes COA form and fee, photos, renderings, profiles, manufacturer cut sheets, product details or material samples, existing and historic photos, etc. as applicable to the proposed project. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

COA Application Submission Instructions

  1. Apply for a building/sign permit through the Building Department.
    1. Please refer to the Building Department for fees and forms. Applications determined to require a COA will be referred to the HLPB. 
  2. Initial Submission for ALL applications must include the following: 
    1. Signed COA Application form (with fee) and Letter of Joinder (if applicant is not the property owner). 
    2. Application Fee - Check payable to City of Peekskill
      1. For façade changes, site improvements, and/or new construction: $270.00 due at time of application submission. 
      2. Sign installation or painting: $85.00.
        1. Stated fees are for 2026 calendar year and are due to change.
    3. Copy of referral letter from Building Department. 
    4. Color photographs of building exterior (all elevations with proposed changes; photos showing material(s) details.) 
    5. Color photographs of adjacent buildings. 
    6. Project specific application materials as stated below in Material Instructions. 
      1. Refer to the Reference Documents below in shaping your application materials. 
    7. Brief letter/memo describing scope of work.
  3. Material Instructions.
    1. For façade and storefront renovations: 
      1. Scaled drawing(s) of façade(s) with all dimensions and proposed changes labeled. Cross sections (profile) of new details such as cornices, storefronts and windows. Proposed new materials and colors must be clearly identified on the drawing. Attach actual color samples. Indicate existing materials that will be removed or repaired. 
      2. Samples of proposed materials and/or manufacturer’s catalog/cut sheet. Samples of existing materials to be matched, if available. Samples will not be returned. 
      3. If possible, identify the age of the building and submit old photos. Contact the Peekskill Museum.
    2. For exterior painting: 
      1. Existing photos of affected building and adjacent building. 
      2. Paint manufacturer’s color samples.
      3. Image demonstration the location(s) of proposed paint color(s) changes.
    3. For signs and awnings:
      1. Color drawing of sign or awning (including profile) with all dimensions provided.
      2. Scaled detail of lettering with all text and spacing dimensions.
      3. Actual color samples (color chips) attached to each of the twelve (12) submission copies. 
      4. Indicate proposed location on a photo of the building, with dimensions of the sign clearly marked.
      5. Indicate sign material and proposed attachment method details and dimensions.
    4. For lighting: 
      1. Indicate proposed location, lighting fixture with manufacturer’s details (dimensions, color, material(s), etc.) including attachment method. Preferred lighting color temperature is 3000k (warm light). 
    5. For site improvements:
      1. Provide a scaled site plan with items to be added or removed, including by not limited to fences, walls, walks, driveways, landscaping, accessory buildings, etc. 
    6. For new construction:
      1. Provide a site plan including adjacent properties, all elevations, streetscape photos with new building/structures superimposed, and #1-5 above where applicable.
  4. Review the HLPB Visual Reference Guide (PDF)

Reference Documents

Review the following documents for reference and recommendations on plan and drawing submission requirements.

Required Forms