Local Historic District

Overview

Any exterior renovations or alterations that are visible from a street, sidewalk, or other public way require a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA).

Before you contract for work or purchase materials for a property located in the LHD it is recommended that you contact the Department of Planning and Codes at 610-250-6724.

The Easton City Council passed the Local Historic District (LHD) Ordinance in August 2005 to protect and preserve Easton's historic buildings and streetscapes. This ordinance requires that properties within the district follow an additional set of guidelines for historic preservation which has been shown to increase property values and quality of life.

The Historic District is roughly bounded by the Delaware River, the Bushkill Creek, Sixth Street, and the Lehigh River. Both sides of Sixth Street are included within the district; see the Local Historic District Map link below, to view and download a map identifying the district.

Properties requiring a COA for work must have the proposal to be reviewed by the Historic District Commission (HDC), who is tasked with ensuring properties are maintained appropriately. The HDC makes a recommendation to City Council, whether to approve or deny a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) for any proposed exterior work within the LHD. Please see the Historic District Design Guidelines and Information link for a downloadable PDF, for more information.

Historic District COA

We have a new program for HD COA applications. You will need to register prior to using this new process. View the application link to get started. Also, please note, requests for signs in the Historic Downtown require both a Certificate of Appropriateness from the HDC and a Zoning permit.

• Application for HD COA only (Online Form)
• Print HD Application Blank Form