07 NCAC 04R .0915         STANDARDS FOR REHABILITATION

(a)  The North Carolina Historical Commission interprets the "Standards for Rehabilitation" to require that the quality of materials and craftsmanship used in a rehabilitation project must be commensurate with the quality of materials and craftsmanship of the historic building in question.  Certain treatments, if improperly applied, or certain materials by their physical properties, may cause or accelerate physical deterioration of historic buildings.  Inappropriate physical treatments include, but are not limited to:  damaging masonry repointing techniques; exterior cleaning methods such as sandblasting or damaging water pressure; or the introduction of sealers or "non-breathable" materials on masonry surfaces, insulation, storm windows, and epoxy where the application of such treatments or materials does not conform to NPS Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings and NPS "Preservation Briefs."  Nonconforming use of these materials and treatments may result in denial of certification.  Similarly, exterior additions that duplicate the form, material, and detailing of the structure to the extent that they compromise the historic character of the structure shall result in denial of certification.

Other typical denial issues in which the historic integrity of the structure is compromised include but are not limited to the following:  removal of character defining historic exterior/interior materials and features such as doors, windows, woodwork, and significant landscape features; excessive site paving; installing undocumented or non-period features; excessive alteration of exterior/interior features or spaces; removal of plaster from interior masonry walls to expose underlying masonry surface; installation of inappropriate replacement doors and windows such as metal or vinyl clad windows in place of wood windows; replacement of non-deteriorated or repairable materials such as windows or millwork; painting unpainted masonry surfaces; installation of artificial siding.

(b)  In limited cases, it may be necessary to dismantle and rebuild portions of a certified historic structure to stabilize and repair weakened structural members and systems.  In such cases, the SHPO shall consider such extreme intervention as part of a certified rehabilitation if: 

(1)           the necessity for dismantling is justified in supporting documentation;

(2)           significant architectural features and overall design are retained; and

(3)           adequate historic materials are retained to maintain the architectural and historic integrity of the overall structure.  The "Standards for Rehabilitation" require retention of distinguishing historic materials of external and internal walls as well as structural systems.  In limited instances, rehabilitations involving removal of existing external walls, i.e., external walls that detract from the historic character of the structure such as in the case of a nonsignificant later addition or walls that have lost their structural integrity due to deterioration, may be certified as meeting the "Standards for Rehabilitation."

History Note:        Authority G.S. 105-130.42; 105-151.23;

Temporary Adoption Eff. January 1, 1998;

Eff. August 1, 1998;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. July 26, 2015.