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Historic Preservation

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1. Do I need to get a permit to work on my house?

Any homeowner must obtain the proper building permits from the City for structural work on their homes, in order to assure that building codes are satisfied. Exterior work on homes within the historic districts must also be reviewed by the Historic District Review Commission (HDRC) to ensure that the historic character of the home is not compromised. Once the proposed changes have been approved by the HDRC, a Certificate of Appropriateness will be issued.

2. Does the HDRC tell me what color I can paint my house?

No. Unlike homeowners associations in newer neighborhoods that restrict your choices, the HDRC does not review paint color. If you would like suggestions, however, particularly for a house with ornamentation, contact the Preservation Office at 816.439.4537.

3. I want to replace my old windows. What will the HDRC allow for replacements?

The HDRC has studied replacement windows and follows the recommendations of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Secretary of Interior's Standards for the Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings, which encourage the preservation of original wood windows. Wood windows can be easily repaired and made weather-tight. When repair is not feasible, replacements may be approved, but on a window-by-window determination by the HDRC. The wholesale replacement of original or historic wood windows is not permitted. More information on windows and window replacement is available from the Preservation Office, the historic district design guidelines, and the HDRC's window replacement table.

4. Why can’t I do what I want to my house?

You may, provided the alterations conform to city and building codes. Homes in the historic You may, provided the alterations conform to city and building codes. Homes in the historic districts are designated by a city ordinance that requires review of exterior alterations by the Historic District Review Commission (HDRC). Liberty has chosen to make preservation of its historic neighborhoods a priority since these neighborhoods give Liberty its distinctive character and attractiveness. The HDRC encourages sensitive alterations to make older homes more livable and efficient. They are happy to work with home owners to ensure that alterations are sensitive to the historic structure.

5. Will the City make me restore my old house to its original appearance?

No. The HDRC only reviews applications for proposed exterior work that is initiated by the homeowner. When changes are proposed by the owner, the HDRC reviews the proposed changes to ensure that they meet the historic district design guidelines, but the HDRC does not require changes that are not initiated by the owner.

6. I have a plaque on my house; what does it mean?

There are a couple of different plaques that you may see throughout the historic districts. One is the shape of Clay County. The county selected certain homes as important landmarks and identified these with a plaque. Another may be a plaque that says the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is an honorary designation that does not place any restrictions on the property. There may also be a Century House plaque, which identifies the year the house was built. These plaques are available for purchase for any building that is 100 years old or older. Find out more about the Century House program and how to get a plaque. Century House program

7. What is a COA and how do I get one?

A Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) is necessary for obtaining a building permit for exterior work on a structure within the city's historic districts. An application form may be obtained here (link) or from the Preservation office on the third floor of City Hall. You will be asked to briefly describe the work proposed and list the materials to be used. You and your contractor may already have this information at hand as part of the building permit process. The Historic District Review Commission meets twice a month to review applications. Meetings are open to the public, and the applicant is encouraged to attend.

The Preservation Office is available to provide information about historic homes, answer renovation questions, and assist with the application process.

The Design Subcommittee of the Historic District Review Commission convenes as needed to consult with property owners about bigger projects. Comprised of HDRC members, this group is able to answer questions, make suggestions and assist with details in the planning phase of a project. Frequently, they will visit the worksite itself in order to better understand the project. Their services are offered free of charge. application form

8. What if I can’t afford to fix up my home?

There are certain tax credits and loan programs available to homeowners who are restoring a historic home; contact the Preservation Office at 816.439.4537 for more information about these programs. In order to be eligible, work must conform to the City’s historic district design guidelines and the National Register guidelines for historic preservation. tax credits

9. How can I find out the history of my house?

The Preservation Office maintains an inventory sheet for each house in the historic districts, which may include the date of construction and a brief history. A copy of these inventory sheets are also kept at the Clay County Archives. There, you may find additional resources to further your research. The Clay County Recorder of Deeds maintains the real estate deeds and transactions, which will help you identify who owned the house and when it was sold.