Historic Architectural Matters
Home Ownership in the Historic District of Dickeyville
“Living in a historic community comes with certain responsibilities that each homeowner needs to adhere to and preserve the charm and architectural character of the village”
A message to all New & Prospective Dickeyville residents
Welcome to our lovely, friendly, unique village. It’s a place where most of us know and are friends with our neighbors, and enjoy spending time with them either in the organized village events, or informally as we walk around and can’t resist the temptation of “come and join us on the porch for a drink”.
As a new homeowner you may think about painting, fixing up, altering or adding to your newly acquired home and its yard. The Dickeyville Architectural Committee (DAC) encourages all of these activities to keep our historic village looking beautiful and inviting. We exist to help you with ideas, find contractors and meet the historic architectural and preservation guidelines.
You may already know this, but please remember that because we are an historic community, there are procedures which you should follow before starting any exterior work. Because we’re in a historic district, property tax credits are available for many updates.
Living in A Historic Community
Background on Village Historic Registration Status
Dickeyville was designated as an “historic district” of Baltimore City in 1969 and placed on the Federal government’s “National Register of Historic Places” in 1972.
According to the Maryland National Register Listing, Dickeyville is a rare example of a complete 19th century mill town, including residential buildings, public buildings, and mill structures, which have survived unchanged to the present time.
“Period/Date of Construction: c. 1790-1909. The town of Dickeyville is a unique survival of four periods of growth from the late 18th century through the Victorian era. It is also Baltimore’s earliest example of a community restoration project.” [Source: Maryland National Register Listing].
CHAP or the “Commission for Historic and Architectural Preservation” is the body with legal authority in the City of Baltimore to enforce these guidelines which help to maintain the unique, appealing and inviting appearance of our historic district.
Dickeyville Architectural Guidelines
Summary of Architectural & Preservation Guidelines
Things to Know About Living in An Historic Community
Dickeyville was designated as an “historic district” of Baltimore City in 1969 and was placed on the Federal government’s “National Register of Historic Places” in 1972. Living in a historic community comes with certain responsibilities that each homeowner must adhere to in order to preserve the charm and architectural character of the village.
The Commission for Architectural and Historical Preservation (CHAP) is the municipal government body that is responsible for:
REVIEWING and REGULATING alterations to the exterior of the properties within Baltimore City historic districts
PROVIDING resources pertaining to architectural preservation
IMPOSING fines and/or stop work orders on projects that have not obtained approval
PRE-APPROVING any project within the District requiring a permit
The Dickeyville Architectural Committee (DAC) is a standing committee of the Dickeyville Community Association and was established by the community to:
HELP residents adhere to CHAP and Dickeyville architectural preservation requirements
HELP CHAP in an advisory capacity to work with the community to preserve the historic district
ASSIST CHAP by ensuring that projects are completed per requirement
HELP to mitigate conflicts between neighbors due to proposed architectural alterations
How do these preservation requirements benefit
the homeowner and the community?
PROMOTES rehabilitation efforts within communities
PROVIDES eligibility for tax credits and incentives
GIVES distinction to neighborhoods and enhances marketability
PROVIDES protection from demolition and inappropriate development
OFFERS access to expert technical assistance from CHAP
Tax Credit information
If you own a home in Dickeyville and are planning improvements to your property (interior and/or exterior), you may be eligible for tax credits from the State or Local jurisdictions. For more information, see CHAP information below or contact DAC Chairperson.
Everything you Need to Know Before Starting a Project
Planning a Project: In-depth Guidelines
The Dickeyville Architectural & Preservation Guidelines is an abbreviated version of the Baltimore City Historic Preservation Procedures and Design Guidelines (also known as the CHAP Guidelines). They also contain guidelines unique to Dickeyville that have been developed by the community over time and that are honored by CHAP.
Click for the latest version of the comprehensive Guidelines are available here. You can also collect a printed version from the DAC Chairperson.
The full set of CHAP Guidelines may be found at CHAP’s website or by Googling “CHAP Baltimore, guidelines”.
Which projects require submittal?
Any exterior alteration of your property requires a submittal to and approval from the DAC and CHAP. Interior alterations do not require DAC or CHAP approval. The Guidelines are intended to help residents prepare submittals. Even if your particular project is not listed in the guidelines, you should provide a submittal for review.
Each Dickeyville property and project is unique and homeowners are invited to submit ideas including the use of new technology.
Every project will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
CHAP is unlikely to approve a project if it has not been reviewed and approved by the DAC, (and if required, a permit will not be granted)
Common Examples of Work Requiring Pre-Approval
Exterior Painting
If you are doing exterior painting in existing colors which meet current Dickeyville Architectural Guidelines, you should make application directly to CHAP for a Notice to Proceed. This will enable your painting contractor to get the permit he requires to do exterior painting in a City historic district.
If your existing colors do not meet current Dickeyville Architectural Guidelines or you wish to change the colors, please contact the Dickeyville Architectural Committee.
Exterior Repairs, Alterations or Additions
For clarification, “exterior” refers to your house, additional structures, hard features in the yard and mature trees. Please contact the Dickeyville Architectural Committee before contracting for or starting any work.
Even if you’re making a repair which will replicate the existing feature or color it’s still preferred that you do make contact. We may have some helpful ideas.
If any alteration or addition is planned, you do this before applying to CHAP for the required notice to proceed and a City permit.
Timeline of Project Approval Process
Seek Guidance + Submit for Approval
Make Contact with DAC before starting the project.
Before starting your project, please call or email the DAC Chairperson to see whether a submittal is necessary for your project or if you have questions.
Complete and submit a Project Submittal form for your project.
Talk to your neighbors about your project. Ask them to fill out a Neighbor Comment form.
Email your submittal to DAC Chairperson (preferred) or submit one hard copy.
Application in Process
Review process
The committee will review your submittal and contact you if more information is needed or if they have questions.
2. Response from the Dickeyville Architectural Committee
Approval – Your submittal will either be approved, approved with suggested revisions or not approved.
You will be informed in writing by the DAC typically within two weeks.Notice to Proceed – If the project is approved, the letter will be copied to CHAP.
You should fill out an Application for Notice to Proceed and a permit if required.
3. Response from the Dickeyville Architectural Committee
Permits – CHAP will inform you if a permit is required or you may contact the Plans Examining and Permit Section of Baltimore’s Department of Housing and Community Development (410.396.3361)
Please note: A Permit will not be granted if the project has not received a Notice to Proceed from CHAP and CHAP will not issue a Notice to Proceed without approval from the DAC.
If your submittal is not approved then you may:
A) revise and resubmit B) not proceed with the project or C) seek arbitration from CHAP (See C.H.A.P Guidelines)
Inspection
You should notify the DAC when construction starts and when it is complete, so that the DAC can confirm that you conformed to what was approved.
Other Homeowner Recommendations
Below are a few things to help you preserve, improve and enjoy your Dickeyville home and the historic district:
MAINTAIN:
Diligent maintenance can prevent many costly repairs and replacements and help to preserve elements
of your home that are hard and/or expensive to replace.
CHAP has adopted a file of good maintenance and historic preservation procedures for historic buildings. These are on file with the DAC or are available free online at www.nps.gov/tps/.
You are expected to maintain your Dickeyville home and the appearance of your grounds in good condition. If they fall into serious disrepair, you will probably hear from the Dickeyville Maintenance Committee.
If you are unhappy with the condition of a neighbor’s property, you have the option of contacting the Chair of the Maintenance Committee.
2. REPAIR:
If a part of your home requires repair, the DAC and CHAP may be able to help you find qualified contractors who are familiar and experienced with historic details and preservation.
3. REPLACE:
Inevitably there will be times when replacement is the only option. Sometimes what is assumed to be easily replaced is not. For that reason, finding an acceptable replacement for the element PRIOR to demolition or removal is recommended.
Please note: CHAP may require documentation that the element that you are replacing is beyond repair prior to approving replacement.
Accessing Architectural Information
Dickeyville’s Architectural Information:
The following documents & forms: Architectural & Preservation Guidelines_Full_2017; DV_Architectural Guidelines_Summary_2017; DCA Architectural Project Submission Form; DCA Maintenance Form; DV Neighbor Comment Form; Application for Notice to Proceed - Scroll to the bottom of the DCA page.
Contact the Chair of the Architectural Committee for any questions or guidance.
City and state authorities:
To determine if you require a permit for your project – contact the Plans Examining and Permit Section of Baltimore’s Department of Housing and Community Development: 410.396.3361
For general historic preservation matters, see CHAP’s webpage or phone 410.396.4866
For CHAP’s (Baltimore City) Tax Credit Program webpage or phone: 410.396.7526
Maryland Historical Trust website related to Tax Credits for the Rehabilitation of a Historic Property or phone: 410.514.7628