Approval Process for Exterior Modifications

If you are planning any exterior changes to your property’s design, material, color, or outward appearance, you must receive approval prior to the beginning of work. Both Otterbein’s Architectural Review Committee and the City’s Historical and Architectural Preservation Commission (CHAP) must approve the change and in some cases, homeowners must obtain a permit prior to sending the application to the CHAP. For information on permits, go to http://www.baltimorehousing.org/permits.

To guide you as to what is acceptable or not, there are two publications — the Otterbein Community’s Covenants and the Guidelines for Exterior Restoration – Otterbein Homestead Area:

OCA Covenants  (pdf 0.6 MB)
Guidelines for Exterior Restoration  (pdf 8.5 MB)

Applying for changes to the exterior of the home involves the following steps:

  1. Complete the Application for Notice to Proceed form online and save as a PDF.
  2. E-mail the completed application to the following individuals: the chair of the Architectural Review Committee, Martyn Mitchell (), and Kevin Persaud (), and to the CHAP representative, Eddie Leon (); with a copy to the OCA Board (). If you do not copy all individuals listed, there may be a delay in the review process of your application.
  3. Subject to approval, the Otterbein Architectural Review Committee then notifies both the homeowner and Eddie Leon (CHAP) through email.
  4. CHAP then has final approval. Once approved by CHAP, Eddie Leon will email the approved “Application for Notice to Proceed” to the homeowner and the chair of ARC and apprise the homeowner if a permit is required. This notice should be displayed on the front window while the renovation is being completed. This notice should be displayed on the front window while the renovation is being completed.

If there is a need for a permit after CHAP approval, it can be obtained at the Benton Building, 417 E. Fayette Street.

As you plan your exterior work (both front and rear of the home), please adhere to this process. And remember to allow us some time for both the Architectural Review Committee and the City’s Historical and Architectural Preservation to get the work approved before you plan to commence your project. We’re here to help!