About the Design Review Process  

Certificates of Appropriateness (COAs) are required for all exterior alterations in the Old and Historic District (including in-kind replacement of material) and the majority of exterior alterations in the Gateway and H-2 Corridor Districts. 

Applications are reviewed for consistency with the adopted Design Guidelines for each overlay district. Please contact Preservation staff prior to conducting work on your property to determine if a COA is required. 

For Administrative Review- Administrative COA Submission Checklist

The Zoning Ordinance authorizes staff to approve certain minor alterations administratively. These include but are not limited to:

Additional information regarding administrative approval authority for Certificate of Appropriateness applications  can be found in Section 7.5.6 of the Leesburg Zoning Ordinance. 

• Administrative approvals do not not require a public hearing, can be submitted anytime and are reviewed and approved in the office by preservation staff. 
• Applications which do not meet the applicable design guidelines for the district may be referred to the Board of Architectural Review.

For BAR Review - BAR COA Submission Checklist

COA - Certificate of Appropriateness Submission Checklist for BAR Review - This checklist is to ensure all necessary documents are provided for alterations in the H-1, H-2 & Gateway Districts, such as:

Please note that your application should constitute a complete representation of what you intend to build or install.  Changes received after your submission may result in a deferral to a future meeting. 

How to Submit Your COA Project Application - eTRAKiT

Please submit all Certificate of Appropriateness Applications through our eTRAKiT online portal. Certificate of Appropriateness applications are submitted as "Projects" within the portal.  Once submitted, you will be able to use your account to check the status of your application, upload additional documentation, and pay fees. 

Application submission deadlines and meeting dates are outlined in the current BAR Meeting Schedule. Applications received after the deadline will be scheduled for the following month. Applicants are encouraged to attend these meetings and Work Sessions or Site Visits may be scheduled as needed. 

• All cases presented to the BAR are considered public hearings.  Staff will provide applicants with a sign to be posted on their property 15 days in advance of the meeting. Please note that there is a $10 fee associated with the sign. Additionally, we will send a letter to all adjacent property owners 10 days in advance of the meeting to advise them of the proposed alterations.

Additional Links

Fee Schedule - This document will provide you with information regarding the costs associated with processing your application, if applicable. Please note that application fees are collected at the time of submission. 

COA Helpful Hints - This one-page document will provide you with tips regarding the submission and approval of Certificate of Appropriateness Applications.

2024 BAR Meeting Schedule

Staff Contacts:

* Please Note: Effective April 8, 2024, the Community Development Department will be permanently relocated to 222 Catoctin Circle SE, Suite 200. Board of Architectural Review meetings will be held in the Council Chambers at Town Hall (25 West Market Street).

Residents and business owners who would like to meet with preservation staff in the historic district may take advantage of our downtown office hours.  Our staff are available for walk-in or scheduled meetings at 19 North King Street, 2nd floor (Leesburg Economic Development Office):

Mondays from 10am to 2pm, Wednesdays from 3pm to 5pm, and Fridays from 8am to 1pm. Please note that availability is exclusive of Town Hall closures for holidays or inclement weather. 

**Preservation staff are also available for walk-ins and scheduled meetings at our offices on 222 Catoctin Circle SE, Suite 200 Monday through Friday during normal business hours.