Guide · Savannah, GA
Re-roofing in the Savannah Historic District: the approval steps
Roof work in Savannah's downtown Historic District needs a Certificate of Appropriateness. Here is the path, what to submit and how long staff review takes.
Does this apply to your home?
The Savannah Historic District reviewed by the Historic District Board of Review is bounded by the Savannah River to the north, East Broad Street (including Trustees' Garden) to the east, Gwinnett Street to the south and West Boundary Street to the west. Inside that area, all exterior changes visible from a public right-of-way, including lanes, need a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA).
If you are outside that boundary but think your home may be in another historic or overlay area, ask the Historic Preservation office at the Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC) before you book a roofer.
Staff review or Board review?
Roof repair or replacement is a staff-review item on the MPC's 2026 application. Staff review covers up to two such items, for example a roof plus a color change. Three or more staff-review items automatically become a Board review, and the 2026 application says requests for non-contributing structures are automatic Board reviews.
Staff review takes up to 10 business days once the complete application, supporting documents and fee are received. Board review items go on the next available monthly meeting agenda if the complete submission is in by the deadline, and the Board meets on a set monthly schedule (for example, the November 2026 meeting is November 10).
What to submit for a roof
The MPC's 2026 staff review checklist for roofs asks for:
- A written project description
- An electronic payment receipt showing the fee amount
- Clear color photos of the building elevations, marking the areas involved, plus close-ups of damaged areas
- Manufacturer's specifications for every proposed product
- Physical samples of proposed colors and materials
- One electronic copy of the full packet, emailed to historic@thempc.org
Practical tips
Each building is a separate project with its own application and fee (identical rowhouses, duplexes and accessory structures are the exception). The MPC also says applicants should check with the City's floodplain manager whether the property is in a special flood hazard area, since that can affect design.
The COA is separate from the City building permit. The City lists a full roof replacement, including underlayment, as work that needs a building permit. Ask the roofer who will file each one, and build the review time into the schedule.
The MPC warns that incomplete applications can delay review or lead to denial, so get the product specification sheets and samples from your roofer before you apply.
Related
- Roof replacement in Savannah
- How to choose a roofer in Savannah
- Metal roofing in Savannah
- Chatham County wind and tropical storm record
Sources: MPC, Historic District Board of Review instructions · MPC, 2026 HDBR application · MPC, 2026 staff review checklist · City of Savannah, permit guide · checked 2026-10-19
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