A Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) is the INITIAL APPROVAL that enables a property owner to proceed with exterior changes on property that is designated as a local historic landmark or that is located in a designated local historic district (such as Old Town). Once a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) is issued, the applicant may proceed with obtaining a building permit and commencing work. More information (amended, 01-09-24).

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY PROPERTY IS LOCATED IN A LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICT?

The only LOCAL Historic District in Ames is the Old Town Historic District. Properties within the Old Town Historic District are indicated on the Attached Map with their corresponding address.

WHEN IS A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS (COA) REQUIRED?

A Certificate of Appropriateness is required for exterior changes including:

• Alteration,
• New Construction,
• Relocation, or
• Demolition.
• Examples

Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) Application

There is NO CHARGE for making application.

RESOURCES:

Ames’ Design Criteria and Historic Design Guidelines help protect the historic character of the buildings from alterations, new construction, relocations and demolitions that could jeopardize the integrity of the landmark or district.

DESIGN CRITERIA

Each property has been identified as having a specific style of architecture. Elements of that architecture are identified in the Design Criteria. (For properties within the Old Town Historic District, see the 2003 Site Inventory Forms, below, for information on each property's architectural style.)

• Old Town Historic District
• Adams House
• Martin House
• Municipal Building

OLD TOWN HISTORIC DISTRICT - SITE INVENTORY FORMS

Site Inventory Forms (2003) include details of each property in the Old Town Historic District and are the basis for determining if a structure is contributing or non-contributing and identifying its style of architecture.  Each style of architecture has specific Design Criteria associated with it.

• 7th Street
• 8th Street
• 9th Street
• Burnett Avenue
• Clark Avenue
• Douglas Avenue
• Duff Avenue
• Kellogg Avenue

Classification of Properties and Old Town Historic District Boundary MAP
Classification of Garages and Old Town Historic District Boundary MAP

SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR'S STANDARDS FOR REHABILITATION

DESIGN GUIDELINES

Design Guidelines are standards intended to preserve the historic and architectural character of the District. The Design Guidelines encourage thoughtful alterations and reinvestment by specifying what changes or additions are appropriate for the style and time period of the property and discouraging those modifications that are incompatible and thus inappropriate.

• Design Guidelines for Alterations, amended 01-09-24
• Design Guidelines for New Construction, amended 01-09-24
• Demolition

The above information is current as of December 20, 2023.