Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB)
Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB)
The HARB Review Process
The Williamsport Historical Architectural Review Board reviews all exterior repairs, renovations, and construction planned in the District. If your property is in the District, you must obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) before performing exterior alterations, repairs, improvements, demolitions, or construction. There is no fee for a HARB review.
If you want to replace a historic feature, such as windows, porch railings, or wood siding, slate or to demolish a structure, you must document the condition of the feature or structure and support your request for replacement or removal. New construction, including additions or garages, requires detailed drawings and plans and must be compatible with the property and district in general.
HARB sends a recommendation regarding your proposal to City Council. City Council is the official body issuing Certificates of Appropriateness. If you disagree with HARB’s recommendation, you have the right to discuss your application with City Council.
HARB Review Application
Property owners can apply for a HARB Review by completing the HARB Review Application. An application requires a detailed work description, photographs of the building, photographs of the work area, and samples, brochures, or other information about the materials you plan to use. You or your representative must attend the meeting to explain the work.
Submit an ApplicationHARB In the News Center
HARB in the Documents Center
- Due Date for Applications
Applications, and supporting documentation, are due by 12:00 PM the Wednesday before a meeting. Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted. - Meeting Time and Location
HARB reviews applications in Trade and Transit Center II, 144 West Third Street, at 6:30 PM, usually on the third Tuesday of each month. Call Community Development to verify meeting dates and your position on the Agenda. - Basis for the HARB Review
HARB bases its review on the Secretary of the Interior Standards for Rehabilitation. The Standards can be found at the National Parks Service pages. HARB also offers a Property Owners Guide to Reviews (see below) that can help you determine what is appropriate and what is not. - The Certificate of Appropriateness (COA)
Only items listed on a COA are approved and COA’s do expire. Approved work must begin within six months of the COA date and be completed within two years. The COA is not a Building Permit. A Building Permit is a separate application you obtain from the Bureau of Codes.
Historic District and Out of District Historic Properties
- Millionaires Row Historic District Map
Inside blue lined area is the adopted Historic District. This is also a National Register listed district and requires HARB review for all exterior changes, repairs and rehabilitations. - View photographs of Historic District sites
- National Registry of Historic District Sites map
- Interactive Map of Historic Sites out of District
- The Property Owners and HARB Guide to Historic Property Repair, Rehabilitation and Renovation
Guide for general repair, rehabilitation and construction in the Williamsport Historic District. and other City Historic Property Help for HARB submission - List of Williamsport Historic Properties & Sites not in Millionaires Row Historic District
Properties and sites on this list have been determined to have architectural, historic event or cultural importance. These properties are worthy of preservation. They may be associated with significant events in history, or with the lives of people significant to the past, or embody distinctive characteristics, construction techniques, or other factors that make them unique structures with historical value.
Historic Properties Rehabilitation Program
For properties on the above Historic Sites List or in the Adopted National Register Historic District (call to check inclusion on these lists or reference the National Registry of Historic District Sites map), PHARE funds are limited and provided as a 0% interest, 10-year forgiveness grant. The program requires a minimum of 15% property owner funding participation and has owner occupant – tenant occupant income requirements.
Complete the Housing Rehabilitation Application to apply for the Rental Rehabilitation PHARE or Historic Property PHARE Program, or call the Community & Economic Development office at (570) 327-7514.