Own a home in a Detroit historic district? Exterior changes need approval

Detroit has a lot of history in its neighborhoods, and many of them — from Indian Village to dozens of others — are protected as local historic districts. If your home is in one, you’ll need to go through the Detroit Historic District Commission before changing anything on the outside. The commission issues a “Certificate of Appropriateness,” and in Detroit that approval is required before you can get a building permit for the work — so it’s not optional. The idea is to keep the look of these historic streets intact, which can mean rules about windows, siding, additions, and even paint in some cases. Smaller, routine maintenance is usually easier, but bigger changes get a closer look. If you’re buying in a Detroit historic district, check with the Historic District Commission early so the approval step doesn’t catch you off guard.