Selling in Olde Towne East? Before you list, it pays to confirm every permit is closed and any exterior work meets historic rules. Buyers, lenders, and title companies will ask for proof, and surprises can slow your closing or cost you money. You want a smooth sale and strong offers. This guide shows you exactly how to check permits, verify historic requirements, and gather the right documents for a confident launch to market. Let’s dive in.
Why permits and COAs matter in OTE
Olde Towne East has a rich mix of historic homes and small multifamily buildings. Properties located in a City of Columbus local historic district often need approval for visible exterior changes. If you have open permits or unapproved work, you can face delays, requests for repairs, escrow holdbacks, or code enforcement.
When you confirm that permits are closed and historic approvals are in place, you reduce buyer doubts and keep your timeline on track. The goal is simple: no loose ends that can stall your sale.
Confirm historic district status
Local vs National Register
A National Register listing is primarily honorific. It does not by itself trigger local design review. Local historic district designation does. If your home sits inside a City of Columbus local historic district boundary, most exterior changes visible from the street typically require a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) before work begins.
What work needs a COA
If your property is in a local district, expect a COA for visible exterior changes such as:
- Additions, porches, and major roof changes
- Window and door replacements, especially when changing materials or styles
- Siding, masonry work, and some significant paint schemes where applicable
- Demolition or moving structures
- New construction, some fences, and certain driveway or parking layout changes
Routine in-kind repairs may qualify for administrative approval, which is faster. Larger or nonstandard changes usually require review by the Historic Preservation Commission.
Where to verify COA requirements
Start with the City of Columbus. Use the site search on the City of Columbus portal to find “Historic Preservation,” “Certificates of Appropriateness,” or “Historic Preservation Commission.” Ask staff to confirm if your address is in a local district and whether a COA was required or issued for past work.
Check permit history in Columbus
Gather your parcel ID
Begin with your full address and parcel number. Look up your official parcel ID via the county’s portal by searching the Franklin County site for the Auditor or Property Search tools.
Search the city permit portal
Next, find the City of Columbus permit and inspection portal through the City of Columbus website. Search by address or parcel to review permit types, issue dates, inspection outcomes, and final status. Flag any permits that show “open,” “active,” or missing/failed final inspections.
Verify Certificate of Occupancy
If the property changed use in the past, such as a single-family conversion to a duplex or other multi-unit, verify whether a Certificate of Occupancy or change-of-use document is on file. Start with the Building & Zoning information available through the City of Columbus portal.
Review inspections and violations
Open each permit to confirm that all required inspections were completed and approved. The final inspection sign-off is your proof that work passed. Also check city code enforcement records for any outstanding violations or fees using the City of Columbus site resources.
Look up COA records
Search historic preservation files to see if any COAs were issued for the property. If you see visible exterior changes but no COA record in a local district, treat it as a potential issue and plan next steps. The City of Columbus site can point you to the correct COA contacts and records.
Check county recorder and title
Review the county’s recorded documents for contractor liens, declarations, or recorded permits. You can locate Recorder resources via the Franklin County site. Title exceptions can also reveal older, unresolved items that might affect your closing.
Ask about older records
Not all older permits are digitized. If you cannot find historic records online, contact the city records office through the City of Columbus site and ask about in-person file reviews.
Spot red flags before listing
Look for these indicators that more work is needed:
- Any permit showing “open,” “active,” or missing a final inspection
- Permits closed with “partial” or “conditional” approval
- Visible exterior changes in a local district without a matching COA record
- Code enforcement notices, stop-work orders, or outstanding fees
- Use changes without a Certificate of Occupancy on file
How to close open items
Complete final inspections
If the work is done but no final inspection occurred, schedule it with the city. You may need the original contractor to be present or available for questions.
Apply for after-the-fact permits
For unpermitted work, you can submit after-the-fact permit applications. Expect to document existing conditions and complete corrections to bring the work to current code if required.
Obtain a retrospective COA
If exterior work in a local historic district happened without a COA, submit an after-the-fact COA application. The city may require modifications so that the work meets historic guidelines.
Use professional affidavits when allowed
In some cases, the city may accept affidavits or stamped drawings from licensed professionals to help close out older permits, subject to inspection. Confirm acceptance and requirements with Building & Zoning staff.
Consider escrow or credits
If you cannot close items before listing or closing, you can negotiate escrow holdbacks or credits with the buyer. This approach is common when timing is tight and the work is straightforward to complete after funding.
Timelines and financing impacts
- Permit closures can take a few days to several weeks depending on the scope and inspection availability.
- COA approvals vary. Administrative approvals are usually quicker. Commission reviews follow a meeting schedule and can take weeks to months.
- After-the-fact approvals can require changes. Build extra time into your plan.
- Lenders and insurers often scrutinize structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work. Unpermitted items may delay funding until resolved or escrowed.
Pre-listing checklist for OTE sellers
Use this streamlined checklist before you hit the market:
- Obtain the parcel ID from the Franklin County Auditor search via Franklin County
- Search the City of Columbus permit portal through the City of Columbus site
- Confirm final inspection for each permit; list any open items
- Search Historic Preservation/COA records for past approvals
- Check for building code violations or outstanding fees
- Confirm Certificate of Occupancy status if the property’s use changed
- If visible exterior changes exist, confirm whether a COA was required; if missing, plan an after-the-fact COA or disclose
- Gather contractor documentation, permits, final inspections, and warranties for buyer packets
- If open/unpermitted items remain, discuss escrow or credits with your listing agent and title team
Documentation to have ready
Collect and organize these items for buyers and lenders:
- Permit history printouts and final inspection approvals
- COA approvals with drawings and any conditions
- Contractor invoices, warranties, and scope-of-work summaries
- Written confirmations from city staff if closures or COA reviews are in progress
- Clear disclosures outlining any known unpermitted work or open permits
When to start and who to contact
Begin your research 30 to 60 days before your target list date, especially if you suspect older work without finals or visible exterior changes in a local district. Early outreach to city staff helps you map the quickest route to closure.
- City permits, inspections, and Certificates of Occupancy: use the City of Columbus portal to reach Building & Zoning Services and schedule inspections.
- Historic district status and COA requirements: find contacts for the Historic Preservation program on the City of Columbus site.
- Parcel, tax, and recorded documents: locate Auditor and Recorder tools via Franklin County.
Final thoughts
A clean permit history and the right COAs help you avoid delays and protect your sales price. Olde Towne East buyers expect thoughtful stewardship of historic homes, and clear documentation builds confidence. Start early, verify everything, and keep neat records so you can answer buyer questions with ease.
If you want local guidance from prep through closing, let’s talk. Our team can help you verify records, coordinate next steps, and position your OTE home to shine. Reach out to Unknown Company to start a plan that fits your timeline.
FAQs
Do Olde Towne East homes always need a COA?
- Only if the property is within a City of Columbus local historic district and the work is a visible exterior change; confirm status with the Historic Preservation staff via the City of Columbus site.
Does National Register status trigger design review?
- No. National Register listing is honorific and does not by itself require a COA; local historic district designation is what triggers COA requirements.
Will open permits stop my sale in Columbus?
- Not automatically, but lenders, title companies, and buyers often require closure or an escrow holdback before funding, which can affect timing and negotiations.
How long does a COA approval take in Columbus?
- Administrative approvals can be quicker, while Commission reviews depend on meeting schedules and application completeness; complex or after-the-fact cases can take weeks to months.
What if past work was done without permits or a COA?
- Options include after-the-fact permits or COAs, completing inspections, making corrections the city requires, or negotiating escrow/credits with the buyer to resolve after closing.
