Seton Hill is a historic neighborhood protected by Baltimore City’s Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation (CHAP). The Seton Hill Historic District was established in 1968 and and was recognized by the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
Tax Credits, Incentives, and Assistance
Historic homes in CHAP districts are eligible for the Baltimore City Historic Tax Credit for Historic Rehabilitations and Restorations (CHAP Tax Credit). This is a major financial incentive that can result in thousands of dollars in tax savings! Most homes in Seton Hill are also eligible for the Maryland Historic Trust tax credit/rebate program. However, in order to receive these incentives, you must follow the requirements.
Seton Hill also qualifies for the Healthy Neighborhoods program, which offers grants and special loans for home repairs and renovations. Jubilee Baltimore can also assist with navigating specialized programs for home repairs/renovations.
Requirements for Renovations and Construction
Regardless of whether you are applying for a tax credit, all exterior work or new construction in Seton Hill requires CHAP review and permits from the Department of Housing and Community Development before any work is started. “Exterior work” includes changes to windows, doors, lighting, painting, additions, fencing, hardscaping, and major landscaping. Additional information about CHAP approval for exterior work is on the CHAP website, including Design Guidelines.
Seton Hill’s Architectural Review Committee (ARC) is a group of volunteer neighbors who assist residents and CHAP with the review process. The ARC can help property owners navigate the city CHAP permit review and approval process. Contact the committee early in the process to discuss planned work before contractors or architects are hired so that potential pitfalls can be avoided. Email the ARC at architecture@setonhill.org.
Planning an exterior project? Here’s a step-by-step guide on what to do:
- Go to the CHAP website and download an Authorization to Proceed application. Click on “Applications” and then on “Authorization to Proceed Application.”
- Fill out the application completely. A fully completed application and good photos of current conditions make the application approval process easier and faster.
- Once your application is finished, email it to the ARC at architecture@setonhill.org.
- If the project is approved, CHAP will issue an Authorization to Proceed certificate directly to the property owner, who may then obtain a City building permit and undertake the planned work.
- Post your Authorization to Proceed certificate and your City building permit in a prominent place on the front of the building for the entire duration of the construction work.
Permits for Interior Property Changes
Property owners in Baltimore City must obtain a building permit before undertaking any substantive interior or exterior changes to a property, which are also subject to City inspection after the work is complete. Permits ensure that work on buildings is performed according to code and are safely habitable. Permits must be posted to a visible place on the front of the building for the entire duration of the construction work.
Expectations of Contractors
We recommend informing adjacent neighbors of any work expected to be noisy or to cause another inconvenience. In addition to obtaining building permits, it is the homeowner’s responsibility to make sure a contractor abides by basic courtesies to other neighbors such as:
- Noisy work should be performed at reasonable hours of the day. Baltimore City laws says that contractors cannot start work until after 7am., but no one wants to be awakened by hammering or a power saw at 7am! Be a good neighbor: ask your contractor to keep the noise to a minimum until later.
- Construction vehicles can’t be parked in alleys or block the movement of other vehicles. Double-parking on the street is acceptable while loading and unloading but should only take place for short durations of time.
- Debris must be removed safely with heavy-duty contractor trash bags or a chute to a dumpster; it should never be thrown from open windows or rooftops or thrown into a heap in the backyard.
- Please do not leave construction debris in front or back of the property without removed it in a timely fashion.