Roswell, GA Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)
Key Facts
- Minor COA decision
- 10 working days after complete application
- Major COA hearing
- 45 calendar days, silence means approval
- Certificate validity
- 1 year, up to two extensions
- Appeal deadline
- 30 calendar days to City Council
- District/landmark notice
- Published 3 times, mailed 10-20 days ahead
- State review
- GA DNR gets 30 days to comment
Summary
Roswell's Historic Preservation Commission designates local historic landmarks and administers Certificate of Appropriateness review for the city's Historic Overlay District (-HOD) under UDC Article 13.7. A property qualifies as a landmark only if it meets two or more statutory criteria tied to architectural, historic or cultural significance to Roswell, Fulton County, Georgia or the region. No Land Disturbance Permit or Building Permit can issue on a -HOD or landmark property without an approved Certificate of Appropriateness.
The historical and architectural heritage of Roswell is among its most valued and important assets. The purpose of historic review is to safeguard the heritage of Roswell by preserving the City's historic and architecturally worthy properties, areas, buildings, structures, monuments, streetscapes, squares and neighborhoods. ... A local historic landmark is a historic resource that must meets two or more of the following criteria: i. It is an outstanding example of a building, structure, site or object representative of its era; ii. It is one of the few remaining examples of past architectural style; iii. It is a place or structure associated with an event or persons of historic or cultural significance to the City of Roswell, State or Georgia, or the region; or iv. It is the site of natural or aesthetic interest that is continuing to contribute to the cultural or historical development and heritage of the municipality, county, state or region.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 17 | Unified Development Code: Supplement 5).
Full Breakdown
2(A)). 2(E)). 10). 10(B)). 14). 18(C)). 18(F)). 17(D)). 16).
Violations & Fines
No Land Disturbance Permit or Building Permit may be issued on -HOD or landmark property without a prior, approved Certificate of Appropriateness (§ 13.7.2(B)(4)); work that proceeds without one is treated as unpermitted construction and can be halted through normal building-permit enforcement. A denied Major Certificate is issued in writing with the Commission's reasons, and the applicant may appeal to the Roswell City Council within 30 calendar days, with further appeal to the Superior Court of Fulton County under O.C.G.A. § 44-10-28 (§ 13.7.15).
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifies a property as a Roswell historic landmark?
Can I start construction before my Certificate of Appropriateness is approved?
How long does Historic Preservation Commission review take?
What happens if the Historic Preservation Commission denies my application?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Roswell
Compare Roswell to another location·View the Georgia historic preservation overview
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Historic-Cultural Monuments in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Fulton County handle historic-cultural monuments.