About
The Decatur Historic Preservation Commission ensures work in the five local historic districts - Clairemont Avenue Corridor, McDonough-Adams-King's Highway, Old Decatur, Parkwood, and Ponce de Leon Court - and two historic properties - Old DeKalb County Courthouse and Scottish Rite Hospital - is consistent with neighborhood character.
The Commission must approve projects by issuing a Certificate of Appropriateness (CoA) before a building permit can be obtained, although some may be administratively approved through the issuance of a Certificate of Exemption (CoE). Applicable fees are $35 for the CoA and $10 for the CoE.
The Commission is staffed by Aileen de la Torre. Call 678-553-6596 or email aileen.delatorre [at] decaturga.com (aileen[dot]delatorre[at]decaturga[dot]com) for more information.
Meetings
Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the City Commission Meeting Room of Decatur City Hall, 509 N McDonough Street, and may be attended in-person or via livestream. Access to the building outside of standard work hours is through the rear double glass doors next to the employee parking area.
Please note dates may change based on holidays and school breaks, and special-called meetings may be scheduled if necessary. The January meeting is an open work session in which the Commission does not review CoAs. There is no meeting in July.
Members
Andrew Navratil (Chair)
Gabrielle Dean (Vice-Chair)
Kate Breslin
Maya Hahn
Ashley McClure
Susan Seay
Grace Vermillion
Agendas and Minutes
Click here to view Agendas/Minutes
Forms
Certificate of Appropriateness Form
Certificate of Exemption Form
Ordinances and Design Guidelines
Design Guidelines for Decatur (Clairemont included)
MAK Handbook
Ponce de Leon Court Guidelines
Old Decatur LHD Design Guidelines
Decatur Historic Preservation Ordinance
Georgia Preservation Act
The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties
Under the National Historic Preservation Act, the Secretary of Interior is responsible for establishing professional standards and providing guidance on how to preserve the nation’s historic properties. They serve as the basis for all local design guidelines.