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PRESERVATION GUIDELINES 1 Signs in Historic Districts 2 Paint Colors and Materials 3 Plaster-Covered Rubble Walls 4 Repair, Cleaning, and Repointing of Brick Walls 5 The Repair of Stone Walls 6 Repairs to Wood Buildings 7 Windows and Doors 8 Porches, Balconies and Arcades 9 Roof Replacement and Repairs 10 Repair and Replacement of Architectural Metals 11 Lighting and Other Mechanical Systems 12 Landscape Treatments and Site Improvements 13 Repair and Replacement of Historic Exterior Staircases Steps 14 New Additions to Historic Buildings 15 New Buildings in Historic Districts 16 Interior Changes NOTE: Awnings are approved in the St. Thomas historic district ONLY. Banners, sandwich signs or neon signs are NOT approved in any historic district. For more information, contact the Historic Preservation Committee on your island. St. Croix Historic Preservation Committee Department of Planning & Natural Resources V.L State Historic Preservation Office Fort Frederik Museum No. 198 Strand Street St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands 00840 Tel: (840)719-7089 Fax: (340)719-8343 St. Thomas/St. John Historic Preservation Committee Department of Planning & Natural Resources V.I. State Historic Preservation Office Dronningens Gade 71 & 72A St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands 00802 Tel: (340)776-8605 Fax: (340)776-7236 "Preserving the Past for the Puturg” 4.2011 Are you a property owner, business owner or perhaps a tenant renting or leasing a property within the Historic and Architectural Control Districts of Christiansted, Frederiksted or Charlotte Amalie? Here are a few things you need to know. (Pete eae ee ee The Committees of the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) are regulatory boards which promote planning for the protection and use of the historic, architectural and other cultural assets of the Historic District and the V.I. Registry Properties. The Committees have the power to approve or reject any proposed changes, great or small, in the areas of designated historic districts and sites. Applications before the Committees are evaluated based on its adherence to established preser- vation criteria and policies. The V1. Zoning, Building and Housing laws and regulations are also applicable to the Historic Districts except where specific Historic District regulations govern. So, before you erect a sign, paint, alter or renovate your building, add an addition, new construction or demolition, etc, YOU NEED A PERMIT. Failure of any person who has been so notified and has willfully failed to comply with the law could result in fines and legal sanctions. Call HPC for an application. Know the Facts - It's the Law Title 29, Chapter 3, Subsection 285 states: "Until plans therefore are submitted to an acted upon by the | Virgin Islands Historic Preservation Commission, no building or structure, including stone walls, fences, paving and steps, may be “erected, reconstructed, altered, restored, moved, or demolished within any Historic and Architectural Control District or affecting any building, site or place listed in the Registry; and no sign, light, fence, wall, or other appurtenant fixture may be erected or displayed on any lot or on the exterior of any building or structure located within said Control District or listed in the Registry; and no building or other permit may be granted for any such purpose within the said Control District or pertaining to any building, site or place listed in the Registry.” Maps showing the delineation of these Historic and Architectural Control Districts are available. After your Historic Preservation Committee Application for Change, with supporting documents such as plans, photographs, etc. has been submitted and approved by the St. Croix Historic Preservation Committee or the St. Thomas/St. John Historic Preservation Committee, depending on your project’s complexity you may have to submit your plans to other agencies for review or you can proceed with the work. Here are a few HPC application scenarios: 1. If your project involves new construction such as a new building or wall or an addition, your next review step will be the Building Permits Division of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources for their permitting process. 2. If your application involves a sign, after your sign is approved by HPC, your next review step will be the Department of Public Works Division of Engineering for their permitting process. 3. If you are a Property Owner in the historic district responding to an Order to Clear Fire Hazard from the Virgin Islands Fire Services, you must first file an application with your district Historic Preservation Committee before work can commence. Have questions or concerns, the V.1. State Historic Preservation Office staff offers technical assistance to HPC applicants or anyone interested in learning more about complying with the rules and regulations of the historic districts. In addition to our technical assistance, each district office offers sixteen Preservation Guidelines with the do’s and don’ts for the typical projects on historic buildings. Pee een ee Ee