Thinking about replacing windows, adding a deck, or building an addition in McKinley Heights? If your home sits inside the local historic district, you will need to plan for design review before work starts. The process can feel complex, especially if you are buying or selling and juggling timelines. This guide breaks down who reviews your plans, what needs approval, how long it takes, and how to avoid common setbacks. Let’s dive in.
What “historic district” means here
McKinley Heights is both a National Register district and a local City of St. Louis historic district. The local designation comes with binding rules for exterior changes, guided by the neighborhood’s ordinance and standards. You can explore the district’s rules on the City’s McKinley Heights Historic District page.
The federal National Register listing does not regulate private owners by itself. Local rules do. In practice, exterior work that changes the appearance typically requires review by the City’s Cultural Resources Office or the Preservation Board. For a plain‑English overview, see the City’s CRO Review FAQs.
Who reviews your plans
Cultural Resources Office (CRO)
City preservation staff review most permits for properties in local historic districts. Many small, straightforward projects can be approved quickly by staff. Application steps and submittal options are outlined under CRO Applications and Permit Review.
Preservation Board
If staff cannot approve a proposal, it is scheduled for a public hearing with the citizen‑led Preservation Board. The Board generally meets monthly, and its decisions are binding. You can check dates and procedures on the Preservation Board page.
What usually needs approval
Most exterior changes visible from the street will need review. Common examples include:
- Window and door replacement or changes to openings
- Porch repair or alteration
- Masonry work, including repainting brick
- New siding or roof material changes
- Front fences, decks visible from the public way, or site changes
- Additions, garages, new construction, and demolition
Always consult the McKinley Heights ordinance and standards before you draw plans. Routine in‑kind maintenance may be treated differently from replacement with new materials.
Common pitfalls to avoid
- Swapping historic windows for incompatible modern units that change sizes or profiles
- Enclosing or removing original porches
- Covering brick primary façades with incompatible siding
- Proposing additions with roof forms or materials that do not fit the context
Step‑by‑step to a smoother approval
Confirm location. Use the City’s district map to verify the property is inside the McKinley Heights local district.
Start early with CRO. For larger projects, request a preliminary review so staff can flag issues before you finalize drawings. For small projects like fences or minor repairs, the CRO’s Hotspot desk can sometimes approve over the counter. See CRO Applications and Permit Review for details.
Prepare clear documentation. Submit photos of existing conditions, scaled drawings, material samples or cut sheets, and a site plan. Complete submissions speed decisions.
Plan your timeline. Many routine staff reviews wrap up in about five working days when your packet is complete. If your project needs Board review, it will be scheduled for the next monthly meeting. Check the Preservation Board calendar and build in time for potential revisions.
Expect some back‑and‑forth. If staff request changes to meet the district standards, revise early to avoid delays.
Planning a rehab? Explore tax credits
If your project is a significant rehabilitation, incentives may help your budget. A federal Historic Tax Credit of 20 percent is available for certified rehabilitations of income‑producing historic buildings. The City summarizes federal and state programs on its historic preservation tax credit programs page.
Missouri also offers a state Historic Preservation Tax Credit, typically 25 percent of qualified rehabilitation expenses for approved projects. Owner‑occupied homes may qualify under certain conditions, and the state updated submission procedures in 2024. Review eligibility and application steps through the Missouri Historic Preservation Tax Credit program and coordinate early if you plan to apply.
If your application is denied
You can appeal a CRO denial to the Preservation Board. Board decisions are binding, and further appeals typically proceed through the courts. For demolition or complex cases, there may be additional procedures. Review the process on the City’s Preservation Board page and consider legal counsel for contested matters.
Tips for buyers and sellers
- Buyers: During your inspection and due diligence, confirm whether the home is inside the district and identify any exterior changes you hope to make. Factor CRO or Board timelines into your move‑in plans.
- Sellers: Be transparent about the property’s historic district status and any past exterior work approvals. If the home is income‑producing or could be, note potential eligibility for tax credits and direct buyers to official program pages.
Talk with a local guide
With clear steps, you can move from idea to approval with confidence. If you are planning work or weighing a purchase or sale in McKinley Heights, our neighborhood‑by‑neighborhood guidance can help you set the right plan and timeline. Reach out to The Winckowski Group for local insight and responsive support.
FAQs
McKinley Heights approvals: what does local status regulate?
- The local historic district regulates exterior work visible from the street, and most changes need review by the City’s Cultural Resources Office or the Preservation Board.
McKinley Heights approvals: do I need approval to paint brick?
- Painting or coating masonry is typically reviewed, and the district standards guide what is appropriate on visible façades.
McKinley Heights approvals: how long does a Certificate of Appropriateness take?
- Routine staff approvals can take about five working days when submissions are complete, while projects requiring Board review follow the monthly hearing schedule.
McKinley Heights approvals: can I replace my windows?
- Possibly, but replacements should retain the original look and proportions on primary façades; in‑kind or visually compatible options are more likely to be approved than major changes.
McKinley Heights approvals: does the National Register limit my choices?
- Federal listing alone does not restrict private owners; local historic district rules do, which is why CRO or Board review is required for most exterior changes.
