Chapter 54 HISTORICAL PRESERVATION
Plain English: what this part covers
This chapter creates the Ashburn Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) and the Ashburn Local Historic District. If your property is a designated historic property or sits in the district, you need a 'certificate of appropriateness' from the HPC before making exterior changes, demolishing or moving a building. Ordinary repairs, interior work and paint colors don't need one.
- 5 HPC members, 3-year terms, max 2 consecutive terms (Sec. 54-33)
- 45 days for HPC to decide; no action = approval (Sec. 54-93)
- 15 days to appeal an HPC decision to mayor and council (Sec. 54-100)
- 12-month wait to refile a substantially similar denied request (Sec. 54-88)
- Approval void if work doesn't start within 6 months; valid 18 months (Sec. 54-97)
- 30 days to start repairs after a neglect notice (Sec. 54-122)
Editor's note— Ord. No. 07-08, §§ I—VII, adopted June 7, 2007, amended Ch. 54, in its entirety to read as herein set out. Prior to inclusion of said , Ch. 54 pertained to similar subject matter. See also the Code Comparative Table.
Cross reference— Buildings and building regulations, ch. 18; environment, ch. 38.
State Law reference— Georgia Register of Historic Places, § 12-3-50.2; fire safety requirements for historic buildings or structures, O.C.G.A. § 25-2-13; grants to municipal corporations for repairs on facilities of historical value, O.C.G.A. § 36-40-1; Georgia Uniform Conservation Easement Act, O.C.G.A. § 44-10-1 et seq.; Georgia Historic Preservation Act, O.C.G.A. § 44-10-20 et seq.; historic preservation commissions, O.C.G.A. § 44-10-24; historic landmark or district designation procedure, O.C.G.A. § 44-10-26; certificates of appropriateness, O.C.G.A. § 44-10-28; certification as rehabilitated historic property for purposes of preferential assessment, O.C.G.A. § 48-5-7.2; landmark historic property for purposes of ad valorem taxation, O.C.G.A. § 48-5-7.3; The Uniform Act for the Application of Building and Fire Related Codes to Existing Buildings, O.C.G.A. § 8-2-200 et seq.; state grants to municipalities for repair of certain facilities having historical value, O.C.G.A. § 36-40-1.
What's in here
- ARTICLE I. IN GENERAL
- ARTICLE II. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION1
- ARTICLE III. RECOMMENDATIONS AND DESIGNATION OF HISTORIC DISTRICTS AND PROPERTIES1
- ARTICLE IV. CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS AND ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BY THE HPC2
- ARTICLE V. MAINTENANCE OF HISTORIC PROPERTIES AND BUILDING AND ZONING CODE PROVISIONS
- ARTICLE VI. PENALTY PROVISIONS1
Questions folks ask
Do I need permission to change the outside of a building in the historic district?
Yes. Any 'material change in appearance' to a designated historic property or a property in the historic district needs an approved certificate of appropriateness from the HPC first. The city won't issue a building permit for the work without one.
Do I need approval to paint my house or redo the inside?
No. The HPC has no review authority over interior alterations or exterior paint colors.
What about ordinary repairs?
Ordinary repair or maintenance that fixes deterioration or damage without changing the design, materials or outward appearance doesn't need a certificate of appropriateness.
How long does the HPC have to decide on my application?
It must approve or reject within 45 days of filing. If it doesn't act within 45 days, the application is treated as approved.
What if the HPC denies my application?
You can appeal to the mayor and city council within 15 days. From there, the next step is Superior Court of Turner County. A substantially similar request can't be refiled for 12 months unless it addresses the reasons for denial.
Can I tear down a historic building?
Only with an approved certificate of appropriateness. Every demolition or relocation application requires a public hearing. You must show the demolition is necessary, and the HPC reviews your plans for the site afterward.
How long is an approval good for?
Construction must start within six months of approval, or the approval becomes void. Approvals are good for 18 months and can be renewed administratively.
What happens if a historic building is left to fall apart?
The HPC can notify the owner, who then has 30 days to start repairs. After that, the owner can be penalized, and with council approval the HPC can make the repairs and bill the owner.
Who serves on the HPC?
Five city residents appointed by the mayor and council, with three-year terms and no more than two consecutive terms. At least two must own property or a business in the Ashburn Local Historic District. They're unpaid.
What's the penalty for violating the historic preservation rules?
Up to $500 per violation, and each day the violation continues counts as a separate offense.
This is a plain-English guide, not legal advice. The official code is on Municode and at City Hall. Our copy is from April 30, 2026.
Online: https://jamesburgessleads.com/city-code/PTIICOOR_CH54HIPR
Official version: https://library.municode.com/GA/Ashburn/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH54HIPR
Paid for by James Burgess