New to Chestnut Hill’s Historic District? Start Here

Bought a Chestnut Hill home and wondering what you can change outside? You are not alone. Between local and national historic listings, it can be hard to know what rules apply. This guide explains how to confirm your property’s status, what exterior work needs approval in Philadelphia, and where to get help before you start. Let’s dive in.

Historic status vs. National Register

Chestnut Hill includes areas listed on the National Register of Historic Places and areas designated locally by the Philadelphia Historical Commission. The National Register is an honor that documents significance and can open the door to certain incentives, but it does not restrict a private owner’s alterations by itself unless federal funding or permits are involved. Local designation by the Philadelphia Historical Commission is regulatory and controls certain exterior changes visible from public ways. Within a local district, properties are often labeled contributing or non‑contributing, and that classification influences how changes are evaluated.

Look up your property’s status

Start by gathering the basics: your street address and, if you have it, the Philadelphia parcel identifier. The address is usually enough for an initial search. You want to confirm whether your home is individually designated, inside a local historic district, and whether it is contributing or non‑contributing.

Use city resources first

Check the Philadelphia Historical Commission’s lists and maps for local districts and individual landmarks. PHC staff can confirm your address and tell you whether your property is contributing or non‑contributing. If online tools are unclear, request a written determination from PHC; a simple email works and gives you documentation for lenders or contractors.

Try municipal GIS maps

Philadelphia’s property and GIS map tools typically include layers that show historic district boundaries and landmarks. Enter your address and look for the historic overlays. These tools help you visualize if your parcel sits inside a local district.

Check state and federal listings

Use the National Register database to see if your property is listed and to view nomination documents and boundaries. You can also consult Pennsylvania’s state records, which often include the same National Register forms and local context. These sources are helpful for understanding why the area is significant, even though local rules govern approvals.

What exterior work needs approval

In Philadelphia, local designation is the main trigger for review. The Philadelphia Historical Commission issues a Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior changes that affect locally designated properties or any property within a local historic district.

Typical projects that need PHC review

• New construction and additions visible from the street
• Demolition or partial demolition of exteriors
• Changes to primary elevations visible from public ways, including windows, doors, porches, rooflines, masonry, siding, and trim
• Material changes that alter historic character
• Some signage and exterior lighting

Routine maintenance and in‑kind repairs are often simpler. If you replace with the same material and design, staff may be able to approve it more quickly. Replacements with different materials or profiles typically need closer review.

Staff approval vs. Commission hearing

Expect smaller, clearly compatible projects to be handled by PHC staff. Larger or more complex proposals, like new construction, major additions, or demolition, usually go to a full Commission hearing. Plan extra time for those hearings and build that time into your schedule.

Permits, timing, and emergencies

Historic review and building permits are separate. A Certificate of Appropriateness does not replace your Department of Licenses & Inspections permit, and an L&I permit does not satisfy historic review. Do not start visible exterior work without all required approvals. You risk stop‑work orders, fines, and orders to restore previous conditions.

Emergency work to prevent immediate damage is often allowed. Notify PHC and L&I as soon as possible and be prepared to submit documentation after the fact. Confirm the steps with PHC before you proceed whenever you can.

Where to get guidance in Chestnut Hill

• Philadelphia Historical Commission: The authoritative source for local status determinations, application forms, design guidelines, and review criteria. Staff can advise on what is likely approvable.
• Chestnut Hill Conservancy: A neighborhood resource for education, local context, and practical advice on materials and repair approaches that fit Chestnut Hill’s character.
• Preservation professionals and contractors: Architects, consultants, and contractors with Philadelphia historic district experience can prepare drawings, material specs, and applications, and can coordinate with PHC.
• State and federal references: The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation provide guiding principles used by reviewers, and state records house useful nomination documents and context.

Homeowner checklist before you start

• Step 1: Confirm historic status

  • Check PHC maps or contact PHC staff to verify status.
  • Ask whether your property is contributing or non‑contributing.

• Step 2: Identify permits and approvals

  • Decide if your work affects elevations visible from the street or involves demolition or new construction.
  • Plan for both a PHC Certificate of Appropriateness and any L&I permits.

• Step 3: Prepare documentation

  • Take clear current photos from public ways that show the full scope of work.
  • Assemble drawings or elevations for existing and proposed conditions.
  • Gather material samples and specs, such as window profiles, mortar matches, roofing, and trim details.
  • Write a concise scope of work explaining methods and why the proposal is compatible.

• Step 4: Consult early

  • Speak with PHC staff and the Chestnut Hill Conservancy before you finalize plans.
  • Ask about alternatives or materials that staff can approve administratively.

• Step 5: Hire experienced pros

  • Use contractors and architects who have completed projects in Philadelphia’s historic districts.

• Step 6: Allow time

  • Build in time for staff review or Commission hearings. Expect several weeks to months for larger projects.

• Step 7: Keep records

  • Save your approvals, permits, contracts, and before‑and‑after photos for future work, insurance, and resale.

Common scenarios in Chestnut Hill

• Window replacement: If your home is locally designated and the windows are visible from the public way, replacement usually needs PHC approval. In‑kind repair or matching replacement is often the smoother path.
• Porch or masonry repairs: Repairs in kind move faster. Changing materials or redesigning visible features generally requires a full review.
• Additions and new construction: Visible additions, even small ones, are reviewed for scale, massing, and compatibility. Plan for a hearing and detailed drawings.
• Demolition: Demolition of designated properties or contributing buildings faces strict scrutiny and typically requires a full Commission hearing.

Final thoughts

Owning a historic home in Chestnut Hill is both a privilege and a responsibility. With a few early steps, you can set your project up for success, avoid delays, and protect your property’s character and value. If you are considering buying or selling a historic property in Chestnut Hill or nearby, The Megan Van Arkel Team can help you plan timelines, coordinate pre‑market improvements, and introduce you to preservation‑savvy professionals. Get Your Home Value.

FAQs

How do I confirm if my Chestnut Hill home is locally designated?

• Start with the Philadelphia Historical Commission’s maps and lists, then ask PHC staff to confirm your address and contributing status. Request a written determination if you need documentation.

Do I need approval to replace street‑facing windows in Philadelphia?

• If the property is locally designated or within a local historic district, window replacement visible from the public way typically needs a Certificate of Appropriateness. In‑kind repairs are often simpler to approve.

What if I already pulled an L&I permit for exterior work?

• You still need PHC approval if your property is locally designated and the work affects visible exteriors. Building permits and historic review are separate processes.

Can I start emergency repairs on my Chestnut Hill property?

• Emergency work to prevent immediate damage is often allowed, but notify PHC and L&I as soon as possible and be ready to provide documentation afterward.

Are there incentives for historic homes in Chestnut Hill?

• National Register listing can make certain income‑producing properties eligible for federal historic rehabilitation tax credits. Local grants or programs may exist, so check current offerings with PHC or the Chestnut Hill Conservancy.