HDC Exterior Painting and Colors

Paint applied to the exterior of a building serves the dual purposes of protecting underlying building materials, most commonly wood, and helping to define a building’s aesthetic expression. There are some basic guidelines to consider when planning to paint or repaint a building within a local historic district. 

• Masonry that has not been painted historically should not be painted. 
• Paint should not be applied in a way that obscures decorative features, such as moldings, trim, or eave brackets/dentils. 
• When removing deteriorated paint from wood surfaces, care should be taken not to damage the material below. The National Park Service’s Preservation Brief 10: Exterior Paint Problems on Historic Woodwork contains additional details on best practices for maintaining, removing, and applying new paint to exterior wood surfaces.

To guide the public on appropriate and compatible colors, the Commission developed a comprehensive architectural and color guide. The guide is comprised of 23 architectural styles that are commonly found in local historic districts; these styles were grouped into eras of construction, creating six color systems (Color Systems A - F).

HDC Color Systems 

The color systems contain guidance on historically appropriate paint colors to apply on buildings within local historic districts. The color systems are organized by groups of architectural styles listed below.  When you click on the color system, it will open the two-page document that identifies the associated colors. If you click on an architectural style, it will open a one-page document that lists identifying features and materials for that style as well as the years in which buildings within that architectural classification were commonly built. 

HDC staff offers a service to identify the architectural style of a building and the coordinating color system(s). Email HDC staff with the property address and a photo of the front of the building.

Color System A - Mid 19th Century Vernacular
Color System B - Italianate, Second Empire, Gothic Revival, Stick, Shingle, Eastlake, Queen Anne, Romanesque Revival, Queen Anne/Romanesque, French Renaissance, Composite Victorian
Color System C - Colonial Revival, Neo Dutch Colonial, Neo-Georgian, Post-1940 Colonial
Color System D – English Revival
Color System E – Prairie, Bungalow 
Color System F – Neo-Classical, Mediterranean 

Color System C, E and F - 20th Century Composite

HDC review/approval of exterior painting projects is required. Adherence to a particular color system isn't required, however the color systems are a guide to compatible colors for different architectural styles/building types.   

Application Submission - Required Information

1. Exterior photo(s) of each side of the building that is proposed to be painted/repainted.
2. Written scope of work:
   1. List areas/parts of house (i.e., wood siding, brick, trim, window sash/framing, door, etc.) to be painted, along with the corresponding selected colors. You can list color from a color system (ex. A:5 Grayish Yellow), or submit a visual manufacturer's paint swatch.
   2. List any other related work to be completed. Examples include: window frame repair, repairs to the soffit, fascia, etc. 

HDC Review Authority - More Information 

Painting of previously painted areas, can likely be approved at the staff level. 

Painting of existing unpainted masonry surfaces, likely can not be approved at the staff level and would require review by the HDC. 

Installation of murals, on the condition that: 

• historic murals/painted signage shall be preserved and not covered,

• the mural shall be applied to an area of the building where it will not obscure distinct architectural elements/details,

• a scope of work confirming how the wall surface will be prepared for the mural shall be submitted,

• water-based paint shall be used,

• the mural can be easily removed without impairing the integrity of the historic building materials, which may be done by low-pressure washing or water soaking the surface; no chemicals shall be used, 

• The applicant shall confirm if the mural will stay up indefinitely and be maintained (and by whom), or shall be removed by the property owner at a future date. 

The Commission defines the term primary elevation to mean any street or public-facing elevation or roof area of a building (including side elevations along streets, but not alleys) and any additional elevation hosting the principal entrance to a building, if not already facing a street; and specifically excludes the sides of a building from being considered a primary elevation due only to increased visibility caused by any condition, current or proposed, on an adjacent parcel not under the same ownership.

*The Director (or their Deputy) shall continue to have the ability to refuse administrative approval and refer any administratively approvable scope to the Commission for disposition, regardless of staff authority pertaining to the proposed work. 

Additional Information:

National Park Service Documents

Preservation Brief #10 - Exterior Paint Problems on Historic Woodwork

Preservation Tech Notes #1 - Proper Painting and Surface Prep

Preservation Tech Notes #2 - Paint Removal from Wood Siding