HomeMy WebLinkAboutHistoric preservation handbookIowa City Historic Preservation Commission
Contains guidelines for the historic review of propertfes in historic and conservatfon
districts and historic landmarks; an explanatfon of the historic preservatfon process
and regulatfons; and informatfon about best practfces for historic property owners.
Iowa City Historic Preserv ation Handbook
A resource for historic Iowa City
Adopted September 7, 2010
Amended July 6, 2021
Goosetown /Horace Mann Conservation District & Jefferson Street Historic District maps added 7/22/2015.
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
Table of Contents
1.0 Historic Preservatfon and Conservatfon in Iowa City. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.1 “Why should a community like Iowa City care about historic preservatfon?”. . . . . . . . . . .
1.2 The Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Commission. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.3 Districts and Landmarks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.4 Classificatfon of Propertfes in Districts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.5 Historic Designatfon Process. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.0 Historic Review. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.1 When is Historic Review Required?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.2 Historic Review Process. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.3 Applicatfon for Historic Review. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.4 Certfficates of No Material Effect. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.5 Minor Review, Pre-Approved Items and Certfficates of Appropriateness. . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.6 Intermediate Review and Certfficates of Appropriateness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.7 Major Review and Certfficates of Appropriateness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.8 Certfficate of Economic Hardship. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.9 Appeals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.0 About the Guidelines for Historic Preservatfon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.1 Iowa City Guidelines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.2 Exceptfons to the Iowa City Guidelines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.3 Additfonal Historic Preservatfon Guidelines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.4 Building Code and Zoning Ordinances. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.0 Guidelines for Alteratfons. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.1 Balustrades and Handrails. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.2 Chimneys. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.3 Doors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.4 Energy Efficiency. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.5 Foundatfons. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.6 Gutters and Downspouts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.7 Mass and Rooflines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.8 Masonry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.9 Paint and Color. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.10 Porches. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.11 Siding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.12 Site and Landscaping. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.13 Windows. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.14 Wood. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.0 Guidelines for Additfons. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.1 Expansion of Building Footprint. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.2 Decks and Ramps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6.0 Guidelines for New Constructfon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6.1 New Primary Structures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6.2 New Outbuildings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.0 Guidelines for Demolitfon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.1 Demolitfon of Whole Structures or Significant Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.2 Preventfon of Demolitfon by Neglect. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
1
1
2
2
4
5
5
6
7
7
7
8
8
9
9
10
10
11
12
13
14
14
16
16
18
20
21
22
24
25
26
28
32
33
36
38
38
42
44
44
48
50
50
50
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
8.0 Neighborhood District Guidelines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.1 Longfellow Neighborhood. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.2 College Hill Neighborhood. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.3 Woodlawn Historic District. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.4 Northside Neighborhood. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9.0 Design Guidelines for Multf-Family Buildings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9.1 Site Elements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9.2 Architectural Elements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10.0 The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitatfon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11.0 Title 14: Iowa City Zoning Code. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11.1 Chapter 2, Artfcle B – Multf-Family Residentfal Zones. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11.2 Chapter 3, Artfcle B – Historic District and Conservatfon District Overlay. . . . . . . . . . .
11.3 Chapter 7, Artfcle A – Boards and Commissions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11.4 Chapter 8, Artfcle E – Historic Preservatfon Commission Approval Procedures. . . . . .
11.5 Chapter 9, Artfcle B – Historic Preservatfon Definitfons. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12.0 Residentfal Architectural Styles of Iowa City. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12.1 American Foursquare. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12.2 Colonial Revival. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12.3 Craftsman. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12.4 Craftsman Bungalow. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12.5 Eclectfc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12.6 Greek Revival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12.7 Italianate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12.8 Period Revival Cottages and Houses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12.9 Prairie School. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12.10 Queen Anne. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12.11 Vernacular. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13.0 Historic Landmarks, Propertfes, and Districts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13.1 Local Historic Landmarks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13.2 Historic and Conservatfon Districts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14.0 Historic and Conservatfon Districts Descriptfon and History. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14.1 Longfellow Neighborhood Districts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14.2 College Hill Neighborhood Districts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14.3 Woodlawn Historic District. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14.4 Northside Neighborhood Districts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15.0 Historic and Conservatfon Districts (Citywide map) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16.0 Longfellow Neighborhood Districts (Maps). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
17.0 College Hill Neighborhood Districts (Maps). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18.0 Woodlawn Historic District (Map).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
19.0 Northside Neighborhood Districts (Maps). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A.0 Appendices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A.1 Definitfons. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A.2 Architectural Terms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A.3 Historic Preservatfon Documents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
51
51
53
54
55
56
56
57
61
60
62
62
62
63
63
64
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
76
76
78
79
79
80
81
82
84
86
91
94
95
100
100
102
105
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
1 1.0 Historic Preservation and Conservation in Iowa City “The simple answer is that conserving old buildings and neighborhoods makes a good community better.
Iowa City is blessed with a collection of fine, well-maintained older neighborhoods and individual
landmarks which are recognized and appreciated by the entire community. Historic preservation has the
potential to enhance the quality of life and economic well-being of current and future residents.”
Marlys Svendsen, Iowa City Historic Preservation Plan
In 2008, the Iowa City City Council adopted the Iowa City Historic Preservation Plan that was prepared
by architectural historian Marlys Svendsen. The plan carefully and thoughtiully evaluated Iowa City’s
historic buildings and neighborhoods and set forth a plan of actfon for their stewardship. Historic
neighborhoods and buildings are protected by the designatfon of historic districts, conservatfon districts
and historic landmarks. Designatfon provides for the careful management of these resources by the
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Commission through the historic review process. The purpose of historic
review is to preserve or conserve historic architectural resources by discouraging alteratfons that either
destroy the unique characteristfcs of a building or alter the character of historic neighborhoods.
The Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Commission was created by local ordinance in December 1982. Its
mission statement as described in the Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Plan is “To identffy, protect, and
preserve the community’s historic resources in order to enhance the quality of life and economic well-
being of current and future generatfons.” Its members are citfzen volunteers appointed by the City
Council. Many of the members reside in historic districts and have expertfse in fields related to historic
preservatfon.
The Purpose of the Historic Preservation Commission is to:
1.Promote the educatfonal, cultural, economic and general welfare of the public through the
protectfon, enhancement and perpetuatfon of historic districts and historic and cultural landmarks
located in the city;
2.Safeguard the city’s historic, aesthetfc and cultural heritage by preserving districts, historic
landmarks and propertfes of historical, architectural and cultural significance;
3.Stabilize and improve property values by conserving historic propertfes;
4.Foster civic pride in the legacy of beauty and achievements of the past;
5.Protect and enhance the city’s attractfons to tourists and visitors and thereby support and stfmulate
business;
6.Strengthen the economy of the city; and
7.Promote the use of districts of historic and cultural significance as sites for the educatfon, pleasure
and welfare of the people of the city.
The Powers and Duties of the Historic Preservation Commission:
1.The Commission is authorized to conduct studies for the identfficatfon and designatfon of
"conservatfon districts", "historic districts" and "historic landmarks". The Commission may proceed
at its own initfatfve or upon a petftfon from any person, group or associatfon.
2.The Commission reviews and acts upon all applicatfons for Certfficates of Appropriateness.
3.The Commission shall further the efforts of historic preservatfon in the city by making
recommendatfons to the City Council and City commissions and boards on preservatfon issues
when appropriate, by encouraging the protectfon and enhancement of structures with historical,
architectural or cultural value, and by encouraging persons and organizatfons to become involved in
preservatfon actfvitfes.
1.0 Historic Preservation and Conservation in Iowa City
1.1 “Why should a community like Iowa City care about historic preservation?”
1.2 The Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
21.0 Historic Preservation and Conservation in Iowa City Historic and conservatfon districts, and historic landmarks, are designated by ordinance by the Iowa City
City Council with recommendatfons from the Historic Preservatfon Commission, the State Historical Society
of Iowa, and the Planning and Zoning Commission. Recommendatfons for the historic designatfon of
districts and propertfes are also received from professional architectural historians following an intensive
survey and evaluatfon of a neighborhood’s historic propertfes and resources.
Historic Districts
Historic districts are geographically cohesive areas with significant concentratfons of buildings and other
resources that possess a high degree of historic integrity. Historic districts are typically first nominated to
and listed on the Natfonal Register of Historic Places, and then designated as local historic districts.
Designatfon as a local district provides the Historic Preservatfon Commission with the authority to review
changes to propertfes that may affect the historic character of the property and the district. The overall
character of a historic district must convey a distfnct sense of tfme and place.
Conservation Districts
Conservatfon districts are neighborhoods that appear similar to historic districts in character. However,
because they have fewer propertfes that retain a high degree of historic integrity or contribute to a distfnct
sense of tfme and place within the neighborhood, they do not qualify as historic districts based on State
Code. Because they are stfll considered worthy of protectfon, City Council may designate these
neighborhoods for historic conservatfon.
Iowa City Historic Landmarks
Historic landmarks are buildings that are individually significant for their architectural and/or cultural
merits. Like historic districts, these propertfes are typically listed on the Natfonal Register of Historic Places,
or are eligible for listfng on the Natfonal Register.
1.3 Districts and Landmarks
1.4 Classification of Properties in Districts
Propertfes in conservatfon and historic districts are classified based on their historic and architectural
significance and integrity. Because neighborhoods change over tfme, these districts typically have some
structures that are not historic or that have been severely altered. Buildings in historic or conservatfon
districts may range from outstanding historic landmarks to architecturally incompatfble, modern
structures. Depending on the classificatfon of a property, certain exceptfons to the guidelines or financial
incentfves may be applicable.
To determine the classificatfon of a specific property in a historic or conservatfon district, refer to the Table
of Contents to locate the appropriate district map that indicates the property’s classificatfon. To determine
if a property has been designated a historic landmark, see sectfon 13.0 Historic Landmarks.
Contributing and Noncontributing Properties
When districts are evaluated and nominated for preservatfon and conservatfon, individual propertfes are
classified as either contributfng or noncontributfng to the historic character of the proposed district.
Contributing Properties
In historic districts, to be classified as a contributfng property the primary building must (1) have an
architectural style and character that is clearly evident and (2) have been constructed during the district’s
period of significance and relate to a significant historic context in the neighborhood’s history. The period
of significance and the historic context(s) for each district are determined by professional consultants prior
to designatfon. Contributfng propertfes in historic districts may be eligible for Federal and State tax
incentfves for substantfal rehabilitatfon.
Conservatfon districts tend to exhibit a greater variety of building styles from different tfme periods and are
less architecturally cohesive, so their historic contexts are more loosely defined. The primary determining
factors in classifying a property in a conservatfon district are (1) the historic integrity of the primary
(Continued on page 3)
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
3 1.0 Historic Preservation and Conservation in Iowa City building and (2) the age of the primary building, which typically must be at least 50 years old at the tfme
a district is designated.
Noncontributing and Non-historic Properties
Propertfes that are not classified as contributfng are classified as noncontributfng. Noncontributfng
propertfes have a primary building that has been significantly altered or that is non-historic. Non-
historic buildings are buildings constructed after a district’s period of significance or were less than 50
years old at the tfme the district was designated. Refer to Sectfon 14.0 for informatfon on Iowa City’s
Historic and Conservatfon Districts.
These propertfes are NOT exempt from historic preservatfon regulatfons, but exceptfons to the
guidelines are possible. The rehabilitatfon of noncontributfng historic buildings is encouraged. The
demolitfon of existfng non-historic buildings and constructfon of new, more architecturally compatfble
buildings is allowed.
During the process of preparing the survey and evaluatfon for each historic neighborhood and, for
historic districts, the Natfonal Register of Historic Places nominatfon, each property is visually inspected
and historically researched by a professional architectural historian. The Commission uses this
informatfon to determine the classificatfon of each property. However, the Commission may vote to
change the classificatfon of a property under the following conditfons:
1.Additfonal informatfon is discovered that documents it has greater cultural significance than
originally determined.
2.It is determined that the original research and inspectfon did not conclusively or accurately
document the architectural or historic fabric of the property.
3.A property has been substantfally altered since it was originally classified.
4.A property has reached the fifty-year threshold for determining historical significance.
Periodic surveys will be conducted to re-evaluate the integrity of all the buildings that have changed
and a report will be submitted for Commission consideratfon to reclassify such propertfes. An owner
may also submit a letter to the Preservatfon Planner requestfng re-evaluatfon, if he or she feels that
their property has been incorrectly classified. The Preservatfon Planner will submit the request, along
with a report and recommendatfon, to the Commission for a determinatfon.
Landmarks and Key Properties
Landmarks are propertfes that are individually significant because of their architectural quality, integrity
and historic or cultural significance. Iowa City has over 40 local historic landmarks that are subject to
the historic preservatfon regulatfons. Propertfes classified as key are either landmarks or are eligible for
designatfon as landmarks. Key propertfes are subject to the same historic preservatfon guidelines as
contributfng buildings in historic districts. Key propertfes and landmarks may be eligible for Federal and
State tax incentfves for substantfal rehabilitatfon. See sectfon 13.0 Historic Landmarks for a complete
list of landmarks. Key propertfes are illustrated on the district maps in sectfons 15.0 through 19.0. For a
list of propertfes located outside existfng districts that are eligible for landmark designatfon, contact the
Preservatfon Planner.
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
4 1.0 Historic Preservation and Conservation in Iowa City 1.5 Historic Designation Process
Historic District
Or Landmark
Conservation
District
Historic Preservation Plan
Goals and objectives
Neighborhoods
Surveyed and evaluated
District and landmark recom-
mendations
National Register Nomi-
nation
Preliminary
report
Architectural and cultur-
al research
Neighborhood or Com-
mission initiation
Property classification Reconnaissance survey
* Neighborhood meetings
(2-3) * Neighborhood meetings
(1-2)
Letter from State
State and Federal ap-
proval
Rezone to OHD1 or OCD2
Prepare district guidelines & maps
(districts only)
* Historic Preservation Commission
public hearing
State recommendation
* Planning & Zoning Commission public
discussion
** City Council public hearing
City Council votes (3)
Pass & adopt
* Notification of property
owners by mail.
** Public notification printed in
newspaper
1 Historic Districts and Landmarks are designated by rezoning a property or area to Historic District Overlay (OHD)
2 Conservation Districts are designated by rezoning an area to Conservation District Overly (OCD)
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
5 2.0 Historic Review The historic preservatfon guidelines contained in this handbook will be used by the Historic
Preservatfon Commission to determine if a proposed change to a landmark or property in a district is
compatfble with the historic character of the district and property. The intent of the historic review
process is:
To ensure that changes to landmarks and propertfes in districts do not substantfally alter or destroy
the defining architectural character of the building, site or neighborhood.
To provide property owners, contractors and consultants with technical assistance and alternatfves
to ensure that proposed projects conform with the historic preservatfon guidelines.
2.0 Historic Review
2.1 When is Historic Review Required?
Historic review by the Commission is required for all constructfon projects that require a regulated
permit, and change the exterior features of any property in a historic or conservatfon district, or any
historic landmark. The proposed project must be approved by the Preservatfon Planner, Preservatfon
Planner and Chair of the Historic Preservatfon Commission, or the full Commission according to the
level of review required before a building permit will be issued by Housing and Inspectfon Services.
Examples of common projects that require a regulated permit and historic review are:
NOTE: The applicatfon of siding, window replacement, and demolitfon of portfons of a building require a
building permit for propertfes within districts and landmarks. For propertfes that are not within a
historic or conservatfon district, and that have not been designated landmarks, these actfons do not
require a permit.
Examples of common projects that may not require a regulated permit and need not be reviewed by
the Commission are:
A complete list of work exempt from permit can be found in Amendments to: International Residential
Code, International Building Code, which is available through Housing and Inspectfon Services.
Applicatfon or reapplicatfon of new siding.
Constructfon of decks and ramps.
Replacement or additfon of windows.
(including sash replacement).
Adding skylights.
Demolitfon of a garage or other
outbuilding.
Constructfon of new dormers.
Porch constructfon, reconstructfon or
replacement.
Removal of porches, trim, brackets,
chimneys, dormers or other defining
architectural features.
Constructfon of additfons.
Constructfon of a new garage.
Reapplicatfon of roof shingles on
commercial and multf-family buildings.
Exterior paintfng.
Window repair (excluding sash
replacement).
Constructfon of fences that are less than 6
feet high (4 feet high in front yard).
Installatfon of new storm windows.
Constructfon of accessory structures, such
as garden sheds, less than 144 square feet
in area.
Replacement of external gutters and
downspouts.
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
6 2.0 Historic Review 2.2 Historic Review Process
Pre-application meeting
Submit application
Planner evaluation
Repair – No Material
Effect
Major Review Intermediate Review Minor Review
Applicant notified of
meeting by mail
Review by Historic
Preservation
Commission
Certificate of
Appropriateness
Certificate of No
Material Effect
Review by Planner
OR
Resolution of Denial
Copy transmitted to:
Owner & Contractor
Building Inspection (HIS)
City Clerk
Appeal
Review by Commission
Chair and Planner
Review by Commission
Chair and Planner
The Commission strongly recommends meeting
with the Preservation Planner prior to submitting
an application.
An application may be obtained from the Planning
Department or on the City’s website at
www.icgov.org/HistoricPreservation.
The Preservation Planner will determine the type
of Historic Review required. Examples of projects
covered by review types can be found in sections
2.5-2.7 of the Handbook.
Applications for landmark properties or properties
within Historic Districts may be appealed to City
Council.
Applications for properties within Conservation Districts
may be appealed to the Board of Adjustment.
May be forwarded for more
intensive review.
Continue Permitting
Process
Enforced by Housing &
Inspection Services with
Final approval by Historic
Preservation Planner if
necessary
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
7 2.0 Historic Review The minor review process is utflized for the most routfne project types that have in the past garnered
Commission consensus. In order to expedite the historic review process, the Preservatfon Planner will
review these applicatfons independently to verify that proposals comply fully with the Guidelines,
require no exceptfons to the guidelines, contain no problematfc elements, and involve only materials,
processes, or work which have been pre-approved by the full Commission. Contact the Preservatfon
Planner for a list of projects that have been pre-approved.
A Certfficate of Appropriateness will be issued to the owner and/or contractor for projects that satfsfy
the minor review requirements, and will be filed with Housing and Inspectfon Services and the City
Clerk. If the project does not meet the requirements for a Certfficate of Appropriateness under minor
review, the applicant will be advised on correctfve measures in order to meet the minor review
requirements, or the applicatfon will be forwarded to undergo the intermediate or full review. The
applicant may also request the applicatfon be forwarded to the full Commission for review.
Pre-Approved Items
The alterations listed below qualify for a minor review. These alterations are ones that meet the
guidelines and have been approved by the Commission to be applicable to most structures in historic
and conservation districts. Staff approval may be given for:
* Railings * Window replacement of certain types
* Deck constructfon * Ramps
* Garages/ Out-buildings * Radon Mitfgatfon Systems
The list of “pre-approved” items may expand as new products are introduced into the market and new
products are brought before the Commission. Please contact the Preservatfon Planner at 356-5243 to
discuss your project.
An applicatfon for historic review must be submitted to the Preservatfon Planner at City Hall, 410 E
Washington St, Iowa City. The applicatfon should include dimensioned drawings, sketches,
photographs, text, product samples, or other exhibits that accurately portray the work to be done. The
Commission or Preservatfon Planner may request additfonal informatfon if the applicatfon cannot be
fairly evaluated as submitted. A pre-applicatfon conference with the Preservatfon Planner is
recommended to help ensure that a proposed project will comply with the guidelines. Applicatfon
forms may be obtained from the Planning and Community Development Department, Housing and
Inspectfon Services, or on the web at www.icgov.org/HistoricPreservatfon.
Once the applicatfon is received, the Preservatfon Planner will make a preliminary determinatfon
regarding the appropriate level of review. The various levels of review – detailed below – ensure
expeditfous handling of applicatfons and the use of the full Commission’s skills and expertfse when
necessary. The criteria for determining the type of review include the effect on the appearance of the
significant architectural features, materials and processes proposed, compliance with Guidelines, the
scope and type of the project, and the significance of the property the proposed project involves,
among other consideratfons.
The Preservatfon Planner and the Commission Chair or the Chair’s designee may issue a Certfficate of
No Material Effect if the Preservatfon Planner’s preliminary review reveals the proposed work will not
alter the appearance of significant architectural features and review by the full Commission is not
required. The Certfficate of No Material Effect will be issued to the owner and/or contractor, and will
be filed with Housing and Inspectfon Services and the City Clerk.
Generally, projects consistfng only of repair work or replacement of existfng damaged or deteriorated
features with like materials will be issued Certfficates of No Material Effect.
2.4 Certificates of No Material Effect
2.3 Application for Historic Review
2.5 Minor Review, Pre-Approved Items and Certificates of Appropriateness
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
8 2.0 Historic Review An intermediate review is required for all applicatfons except those involving landmark propertfes and
contributfng propertfes in historic districts (which require a major review), and projects which do not
qualify for a Certfficate of No Material Effect or a minor review (because they will alter the exterior
appearance of the structure, or because the project requires the use of materials or processes which have
not been pre-approved).
The intermediate review is conducted by the Preservatfon Planner and the Commission Chair or the Chair’s
designee. Applicatfons which comply fully with the Guidelines, require no exceptfons to the Guidelines,
and contain no problematfc elements will be issued a Certfficate of Appropriateness, and will be filed with
Housing and Inspectfon Services and the City Clerk.
Applicants are encouraged to contfnue working with the Preservatfon Planner untfl areas of the applicatfon
identffied as problematfc are sufficiently altered. The applicant may also request the applicatfon be
forwarded to the full Commission for review. The Preservatfon Planner and/or the Commission Chair or
Chair’s designee may also recommend projects undergo full review if an abbreviated review is seen as
inappropriate given the scope and type of project proposed.
Examples of types of projects that qualify for Intermediate Review:
Alteratfons: All alteratfons except changes in window type, pattern or dimension, relocatfons of door
openings and additfon of dormers. See sectfon 4.0 Guidelines for Alterations for a listfng of project
types that qualify as alteratfons.
Additfons: Decks located behind the primary structure.
New constructfon: New outbuildings, provided they are located behind the rear plane of an existfng
primary structure.
Demolitfon: Non-historic outbuildings and non-historic features of a primary building.
Minor revisions to a previously approved Certfficate of Appropriateness may also be eligible for
intermediate review by Preservatfon Planner and Chair.
2.6 Intermediate Review and Certificates of Appropriateness
A major review is required for applicatfons involving landmark propertfes and contributfng propertfes in
historic districts provided the proposed project does not qualify for a Certfficate of No Material Effect or a
minor review. These applicatfons will be reviewed by the Preservatfon Planner or the Historic Review
Subcommittee, which, if actfve, is composed of three members of the Historic Preservatfon Commission.
The Preservatfon Planner or the Subcommittee will make recommendatfons to the Historic Preservatfon
Commission and a quorum of the Commission will consider the applicatfon at its next regularly scheduled
meetfng. If a majority of the Commission votes to approve the applicatfon, a Certfficate of Appropriateness
will be issued to the owner and/or contractor, and will be filed with Housing and Inspectfon Services and
the City Clerk. Similarly, if the applicatfon is denied, a Resolutfon of Denial will be issued.
2.7 Major Review and Certificates of Appropriateness
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
9 2.0 Historic Review After receiving written notfficatfon from the Commission of the Resolutfon of Denial, the owner of
record may apply for a Certfficate of Economic Hardship, if he or she believes the Commission’s decision
would result in economic hardship to the extent that the property in questfon cannot yield a reasonable
return. To apply for a Certfficate of Economic Hardship, a written letter statfng case, and all supportfng
materials, must be filed with the Department of Planning and Community Development. A public
hearing will be held by the Commission within sixty days of the receipt of the applicatfon and all
supportfng materials, which will result in the approval or denial of the Certfficate of Economic Hardship.
The Commission will issue a written decision setting forth the factual basis for the decision. If the
Commission finds that unreasonable economic hardship exists, a Certfficate of Economic Hardship will
be issued, specifying the authorized material changes.
The review and approval procedures for a Certfficate of Economic Hardship are set forth in Artfcle 14-8E
of the Iowa City Zoning Code, Historic Preservatfon Commission Approval Procedures. The applicant
bears the burden of proof and must support each of the approval criteria by a preponderance of the
evidence.
A.The property in questfon cannot yield a reasonable return if required to comply with the
requirements and standards specified in this Artfcle. It is not sufficient to show that the
potentfal return will be reduced as a result of these regulatfons, but rather it must be
demonstrated that the resultfng reductfon would be near confiscatfon
B.The owner’s situatfon is unique or peculiar to the property in questfon, and the situatfon is
not shared with other landowners in the area nor due to general conditfons in the
neighborhood
C.The hardship is not of the property owner’s or applicant’s own making.
2.9 Appeals
2.8 Certificate of Economic Hardship
Applicants may appeal decisions of the Commission to the City Council for landmarks and propertfes in
historic districts, and to the Board of Adjustment for propertfes in conservatfon districts. The Certfficate
of Appropriateness, or the Resolutfon of Denial, which states the reason for the decision, will be filed
with the City Clerk within five days of the decision. The applicant has 10 business days from the tfme
the Resolutfon of Denial or Certfficate of Appropriateness is filed with the Clerk to file a letter with the
City Clerk requestfng an appeal. The City Council or Board of Adjustment will determine if the decision
of the Historic Preservatfon Commission was arbitrary or capricious, but neither the Council nor the
Board has the authority to override a decision by the Commission if it is determined that it was not
arbitrary or capricious.
103.0 About the Guidelines for Historic Preservatfon Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
These guidelines were written by the Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Commission to address specifically the
historic preservatfon issues in Iowa City and to provide more detailed guidance to property owners and
builders as they design their constructfon projects. The guidelines are based on The Secretary of the
Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, which can be found in sectfon 10.0. The Iowa City Guidelines are the
guidelines that will be used to evaluate most projects. If there are issues that are not addressed in these
guidelines, then the Historic Preservatfon Commission will use The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for
Rehabilitation and the Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings, which are guidelines for interpretfng
the standards.
Typically, there are four types of projects that modify the exterior of landmarks or propertfes within
districts. The Iowa City Guidelines are divided into four sectfons that correspond to these project types.
These are:
4.0 Guidelines for Alterations 5.0 Guidelines for Additions
6.0 Guidelines for New Construction 7.0 Guidelines for Demolition
Alterations
Alteratfons are modificatfons to a site or to the exterior of a building that do not increase the size of the
building’s footprint. Most maintenance and remodeling projects such as siding repair, reconstructfon or
repair of historic porches, adding dormers to convert an attic space to a living space, and replacing doors
and windows are considered alteratfons. These projects will be evaluated using 4.0 Guidelines for
Alterations.
Additions
Constructfon that results in a larger building footprint, increases the building’s overall height, or adds an
attached structure to a building is considered an additfon. Additfons include constructfon of a new room,
porch, or deck. These projects will be evaluated using 5.0 Guidelines for Additions as well as 8.0
Neighborhood District Guidelines.
Setback Additions
A setback additfon is constructed behind an existfng building, opposite the street facade, and is set back
eight inches or more from the side walls. The roof of a setback additfon can be no higher than the roof of
the existfng building. This results in an additfon that is narrower and no taller than the building to which it
is attached, and is therefore not highly visible from the street. Setback additfons are encouraged because
they have less impact on a historic building and district. Therefore, the Commission may allow some
flexibility when reviewing such additfons. Setback additfons will be evaluated using 5.0 Guidelines for
Additions as well as 8.0 Neighborhood District Guidelines.
New Construction
Although most lots in conservatfon and historic districts are developed, there may be occasions where a
new primary building or outbuilding is constructed. Outbuildings include garages, garden sheds, gazebos
and other accessory structures that require a building permit. Under most circumstances, non-historic
buildings and structures may be demolished and the lot redeveloped. However, the new building and the
demolitfon must be approved by the Historic Preservatfon Commission before any building or demolitfon
(Continued on page 11)
3.0 About the Guidelines for Historic Preservation
3.1 Iowa City Guidelines
The purpose of the historic preservatfon guidelines is to:
Provide comprehensive design guidelines for constructfon projects to landmarks and propertfes
within each district.
Provide property owners with design criteria that will be the basis for approving or denying
Certfficates of Appropriateness.
Identffy the defining characteristfcs of individual historic or conservatfon district.
The Preservatfon Planner is available to answer any questfons, assist an owner or contractor with their
project, and provide additfonal preservatfon informatfon.
11
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook 3.0 About the Guidelines for Historic Preservatfon In writfng the historic preservatfon guidelines, the Historic Preservatfon Commission has made every
effort to clarify the criteria for historic review. However, not every situatfon can be antfcipated.
Situatfons requiring exceptfons to the Iowa City Guidelines will be considered by the full Commission
under major review unless the project conforms to the documented exceptfons listed in the guidelines,
in which case the project may be approved by the Preservatfon Planner or Preservatfon Planner and
Chair.
The Commission is charged with interpretfng and applying the guidelines in a fair and consistent
manner, but is afforded flexibility when reviewing applicatfons in order to arrive at historically and
architecturally appropriate solutfons in cases where a proposed constructfon project does not
significantly affect the architectural character of a historic structure.
The Commission may consider grantfng the following types of exceptfons:
Documented Exceptions
A documented exceptfon exists where the Commission has encountered and antfcipated acceptable
alternatfve methods and materials to the guidelines. When these methods and materials have found
consensus with the Commission, they have been incorporated into the guidelines. The nature of these
exceptfons is to acknowledge materials or project types that are appropriate only in limited
circumstances, the partfcular circumstances of which have been clearly defined and explicitly listed at
the end of each applicable sectfon of the guidelines.
Non-Historic Structures
A number of the documented exceptfons pertain to non-historic structures. Because the historic
preservatfon guidelines are intended primarily to protect the character and integrity of historic
propertfes and districts, exceptfons have been crafted to accommodate non-historic structures within
the districts. While the great majority of propertfes located in historic and conservatfon districts are
historic propertfes, and were constructed in or before 1945, the Historic Preservatfon Commission may
grant exceptfons to the Iowa City Guidelines for the relatfvely small number of propertfes that are
classified as non-historic propertfes and were constructed after the period of significance of a district.
Specific criteria exist for evaluatfng non-historic structures. In order to qualify for an exceptfon, the
proposed change to the exterior of a non-historic property must comply with the following criteria:
1.The project will not further detract from the historic character of the district.
2.The project will not create a false historic character.
3.Alteratfons and new additfons will be compatfble with the style and character of the non-historic
structure. New Constructfons will be compatfble with the style and character of the district.
Uncommon Situations
(Continued on page 12)
permits are issued. These projects will be evaluated using 6.0 Guidelines for New Construction, 8.0
Neighborhood District Guidelines and if applicable 7.0 Guidelines for Demolition.
Demolition
Demolitfon involves the complete removal of a building or a portfon of a building. Removal of dormers,
decoratfve trim, porches, balusters, chimneys and other significant features requires a building permit
for demolitfon, and therefore historic review. Demolitfon projects will be evaluated using 7.0 Guidelines
for Demolition and 8.0 Neighborhood District Guidelines. If a demolitfon permit is sought in order to
erect a new structure, the new building and the demolitfon must be approved by the Historic
Preservatfon Commission before any building or demolitfon permits are issued. These projects will be
evaluated using 6.0 Guidelines for New Construction, 7.0 Guidelines for Demolition, and 8.0
Neighborhood District Guidelines.
3.2 Exceptions to the Iowa City Guidelines
123.0 About the Guidelines for Historic Preservatfon Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
3.3 Additional Historic Preservation Guidelines
During the course of historic review, it may be revealed that elements of the applicatfon warrant special
consideratfon. When this occurs, alternatfve design solutfons to the Iowa City Guidelines or the
Neighborhood District Guidelines may be considered by the Historic Preservatfon Commission. The intent in
considering alternatfve designs is to allow architectural flexibility in exceptfonal circumstances such as non-
compliant structures, irregular lots, and projects which satfsfy the intent of the guidelines as interpreted by
the Commission. The Commission may find guidance in sectfon 3.3 Additional Historic Preservation
Guidelines. Alternatfvely, the Commission may advise the applicant regarding appropriate solutfons or
accept the applicants’ proposal with or without amendments. When approving a project requiring an
exceptfon, the Commission shall identffy the guideline(s) for which the exceptfon is being made, and the
ratfonale for the exceptfon.
Guidelines Silent/Unclear
Because the guidelines were written by the Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Commission to address historic
preservatfon issues in Iowa City, certain topics may not be covered extensively or at all within the
guidelines. Historic preservatfon practfces may evolve. New technologies, materials and practfces which
contribute to the preservatfon of historic propertfes may be introduced and require individual treatment.
To decide on applicatfons involving issues not covered sufficiently within the guidelines, the Commission
may find guidance in 3.3 Additional Historic Preservation Guidelines. When ruling on an applicatfon
utflizing criteria other than those found within the guidelines, the Commission will identffy the criteria and
ratfonale for the record. The appropriateness of use for any new products or materials will also be clearly
stated during historic review.
The guidelines leave to the discretfon of the Commission the partfcular calculus used to determine the
appropriateness of various projects. These consideratfons are largely determined by the historical integrity
of the structure, the various elements which would be impacted, the scope of work, the materials used,
etc., which vary from project to project.
Neighborhood District Guidelines
The size and locatfon of a primary building on a site are some of the defining characteristfcs of historic and
conservatfon districts. The size of buildings, lots and yards, as well as the architectural character of the
buildings, varies by district. Sectfon 8.0 Neighborhood District Guidelines deals specifically with site, scale,
structure locatfon, and architectural style for propertfes within individual historic or conservatfon districts.
The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation
The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and the Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic
Buildings are natfonal standards for historic preservatfon. The Secretary of the Interior defines rehabilita-
tfon as “the process of returning a property to a state of utflity, through repair or alteratfon, which makes
possible an efficient contemporary use while preserving those portfons and features of the property which
are significant to its historic, architectural, and cultural value.” The goals of the Standards can be summa-
rized as follows:
1.Identffy and preserve those materials and features that are important in defining the building’s historic
character.
2.Undertake routfne maintenance on historic materials and features. Routfne maintenance generally in-
volves the least amount of work needed to preserve the materials and features of the building.
3.Repair damaged or deteriorated historic materials and features.
4.Replace severely damaged or deteriorated historic materials and features in kind.
The Iowa City Guidelines are based on the Standards, but they provide more specific guidance. Occasional-
ly, alteratfons are proposed to propertfes that were not antfcipated in the Iowa City Guidelines. When this
occurs, the Historic Preservatfon Commission will refer to the Standards when deciding on a Certfficate of
Appropriateness. The Standards are located in sectfon 10.0.
Design Guidelines for Multi-Family Buildings
(Continued on page 13)
13
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook 3.0 About the Guidelines for Historic Preservatfon The requirements of the building code and the zoning ordinance must be met in additfon to the
requirements of the Iowa City Guidelines. For certain requirements such as mass, scale, size, site
consideratfons, and setbacks from the street, the Iowa City Guidelines may be more stringent than the
building code or the zoning ordinance. The Historic Preservatfon Commission does NOT review projects
for compliance with the building code or zoning ordinance. Please consult with Housing and Inspectfon
Services to ensure the project complies with these regulatfons. Sectfons of the Zoning Code that refer
to historic preservatfon are detailed in Sectfon 11.0 Title 14: Iowa City Zoning Code.
3.4 Building Code and Zoning Ordinances
These guidelines are based on Site Development Standards in the Central Planning District of the Iowa
City Zoning Code and apply to the constructfon of buildings with three or more dwelling units. Typically,
a new multf-family building would be evaluated by the Staff Design Review Committee. However, if it is
located within a historic or conservatfon district, the Historic Preservatfon Commission is responsible for
design review and has adapted the original guidelines to be more applicable to districts. Within dis-
tricts, more weight is given to the architectural style of the proposed building and its compatfbility with
other historic structures. The Design Guidelines for Multi-Family Buildings are located in sectfon 9.0.
144.0 Guidelines for Alteratfons Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
Balustrades (guardrails) and handrails serve as both decoratfve and functfonal elements on porches,
balconies, and steps. For historic propertfes, the design should be consistent with the architectural style,
but not at the expense of safety.
4.0 Guidelines for Alterations
Most maintenance and remodeling projects such as siding repair, porch reconstructfon or repair, and
changes to the doors and windows are considered alteratfons. Alteratfons to both contributfng and
noncontributfng propertfes, as well as landmarks, should be done in a manner that is appropriate to the
style and age of the building, as well as its neighborhood context. The historic character and integrity of
older buildings should be maintained by repairing historic components to the extent feasible and using
traditfonal materials and techniques.
Recommended:
Historic Balustrades and Handrails
Repairing historic balustrades and railings.
Replacing badly deteriorated components
with ones that match the historic
components in design and material.
New Balustrades and Handrails
Constructfng or replacing missing
balustrades by using historic photographs or
by choosing a style that is consistent with
the architectural style of the building.
Installing turned balusters in balustrades
that have an actual diameter of 2 inches or
greater, or square spindles that are 1-1/2
inches or greater in width.
Installing top and foot rails that are at least 2
inches in thickness.
On buildings where a spindled balustrade
would be most consistent with the
architectural style, spacing spindles so that
the balustrade is at least 40% solid. Spindles
must be spaced so that no gap between the
spindles exceeds 4 inches as required by the
building code.
Providing handrails on porch steps as
required by the building code. Handrails
should match the historic balustrade height
on the porch unless otherwise specified by
the building code. The handrail must have a
contfnuous member that can be easily
gripped. The handrail should either match
the porch balustrade or be made of round
steel pipe.
Providing balustrades on the porch as
required by the building code. When the
porch floor is more than 30 inches above
grade, the balustrade must be 42 inches high
except for single-family and duplex
structures where it may be as low as 36
inches.
Sloping the top and foot rails slightly to
allow water to be shed from these surfaces
and help prevent deterioratfon of these
members.
Disallowed:
Historic Balustrades and Handrails
Removing historic balustrades or railings.
(Continued on page 15)
Appropriate Balustrade for most Italianate and
Queen Anne structures and for some Period
Revival, Vernacular, and Eclectic structures
Appropriate Balustrade for most Craftsman,
Craftsman Bungalow, American Foursquare,
and Prairie School structures
4.1 Balustrades and Handrails
15
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook 4.0 Guidelines for Alteratfons Appropriate Balustrade for most structures of
simple ornamentation
Inappropriate Balustrade for any structure in a
Historic or Conservation District or any
Landmark
Covering the historic balustrades or railings
with materials such as siding.
New Balustrades and Handrails
Using unpainted treated wood for elements
that would have been painted in the historic
applicatfon.
exceptfons to the Iowa City Guidelines. Projects requiring the exceptfons corresponding to the property
type listed below may be approved by the Preservatfon Planner or Preservatfon Planner and Chair.
Projects requiring exceptfons to the guidelines that are not listed may be considered by the full
Commission under major review. The Commission is afforded flexibility when reviewing applicatfons in
order to arrive at historically and architecturally appropriate solutfons in cases where a proposed
constructfon project does not significantly affect the architectural character of a historic structure.
In deciding on a project requiring an exceptfon to the guidelines, the Commission may find guidance in
the additfonal guidelines, outlined in sectfon 3.2. When approving a project requiring an exceptfon, the
Commission shall identffy the guideline(s) for which the exceptfon is being made, and the ratfonale for
the exceptfon.
For more informatfon on exceptfons to the Iowa City Guidelines, please refer to sectfon 3.2.
Applies to Noncontributfng Propertfes in Historic Districts
All Propertfes in Conservatfon Districts
Using wrought iron elements unless they
were part of the historic design.
Exception
In order to provide flexibility for certain
changes and certain propertfes, the
Commission has documented a number of
New Balustrades and Handrails
On buildings where a spindled balustrade
would be most consistent with the
architectural style, spacing spindles so that
the balustrade is at least 30% solid.
On buildings where turned spindles would
be most consistent with the architectural
style, installing square spindles.
Applies to Non-Historic Propertfes in
All Districts
New Balustrades and Handrails
Alternatfve baluster and handrail designs
may be considered.
Sloping top and foot rails
allow water to shed and help
prevent deterioration
164.0 Guidelines for Alteratfons Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
Fireplace chimneys are often a defining architectural feature of historic houses. Chimneys may have
decoratfve brickwork and often are a distfnguishing feature of the roof profile. Therefore, historic chimneys
should be preserved.
The original size and shape of door openings should be maintained. Many historic entrance doors are of
panel-type constructfon or solid frames with glass lights in the upper part of the door. Historic storm doors
are often wood doors with removable sashes and screens. These historic door styles should be used when
it is necessary to replace original doors. Historic garage doors often possess distfnctfve design features and
should be retained if possible.
4.2 Chimneys
4.3 Doors
Recommended:
Historic Chimneys
Adding a flue liner to historic chimneys for
safety reasons.
Keeping flue caps as inconspicuous as
possible.
Following the recommendatfons for masonry
repair in sectfon 4.8 Masonry.
Repairing and capping unused historic
chimneys in a manner that prevents vermin
from entering the chimney, but allows air
circulatfon.
New Chimneys
Using masonry to construct full-height
exterior fireplace chimneys in a manner that
is consistent with the architectural style of
the building.
Boxing and finishing new chimney pipes that
penetrate the roof with thin brick veneer or
stucco.
Disallowed:
Historic Chimneys
Removing prominent chimneys that are
important to the historic architectural
character of the building.
Plastering over masonry chimneys in place of
proper repair.
Pointfng with mortar that is too hard for
historic, soft brick.
Using synthetfc sealants, adhesives and/or
wraps to repair masonry chimneys.
Exception
For more informatfon on exceptfons to the Iowa
City Guidelines, please refer to sectfon 3.2.
Recommended:
Garage Doors
Retaining and repairing historic garage doors
where practfcal.
Installing new garage doors that resemble
the styles of historic ones, or installing new
garage doors which are simple in design.
Adding trim to garage door openings that
matches that of other doors and windows in
the garage.
Installing two single-car doors instead of a
single door.
Historic Doors
Repairing historic doors rather than
replacing them.
Replacing badly deteriorated doors with new
or salvaged doors that are similar in size,
material, style, and appearance.
New Doors
Installing a wood screen door that accepts
sashes with glass or screen.
Adding new door openings that are trimmed
to match other doors and windows in the
building.
Substftutfng a material in place of wood for
doors and screen doors only if the substftute
material retains the style and appearance of
the historic doors and screen doors. The
substftute material must be durable, accept
paint, and be approved by the Historic
Preservatfon Commission.
Disallowed:
New Doors
(Continued on page 17)
17
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook 4.0 Guidelines for Alteratfons These traditionally styled doors are appropriate replacements for
many historic homes.
These modern style doors are generally poor choices
for historic homes, particularly on the fronts of the
house.
Installing flush entrance doors or other
modern door styles.
Installing sliding patfo doors if they were not
original to the building or consistent with
the architectural style.
Installing natural aluminum storm doors.
Blocking down door openings to
accommodate standard door sizes.
Exception
All Propertfes in Conservatfon
Districts
Garage Doors
Allowing one double door instead of two
single-doors. On a case-by-case basis, the
Commission may allow one double garage
door for garages not highly visible from the
street or which mimic the appearance of
two single-doors.
Applies to Non-Historic Propertfes in
Historic Districts
All Propertfes in
Conservatfon Districts
New Doors
Sliding patfo doors or other modern-style
doors may be installed on the rear of a
primary building provided that the
openings are trimmed to match the
existfng doors and/or windows.
In order to provide flexibility for certain changes and certain propertfes, the Commission has
documented a number of exceptfons to the Iowa City Guidelines. Projects requiring the exceptfons
corresponding to the property type listed below may be approved by the Preservatfon Planner or
Preservatfon Planner and Chair. Projects requiring exceptfons to the guidelines that are not listed may
be considered by the full Commission under major review. The Commission is afforded flexibility when
reviewing applicatfons in order to arrive at historically and architecturally appropriate solutfons in cases
where a proposed constructfon project does not significantly affect the architectural character of a
historic structure.
In deciding on a project requiring an exceptfon to the guidelines, the Commission may find guidance in
the additfonal guidelines, outlined in sectfon 3.2. When approving a project requiring an exceptfon, the
Commission shall identffy the guideline(s) for which the exceptfon is being made, and the ratfonale for
the exceptfon.
For more informatfon on exceptfons to the Iowa City Guidelines, please refer to sectfon 3.2.
Applies to Noncontributfng and Non-Historic Propertfes in Historic Districts
18 4.0 Guidelines for Alteratfons Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
4.4 Energy Efficiency
Use light paint colors for your house’s
exterior. Lighter colors reflect heat
Start with an energy audit. Audits can
help pinpoint problem areas and
measure energy savings. In a historic
house, it is important to hire a
professional who’s well acquainted
with the idiosyncrasies of older homes.
Your local energy company may also
conduct complimentary energy audits.
The audit should be done in the late
fall or winter and may include a Blower
Door Test or an infrared camera
evaluatfon. During a Blower Door test
your auditor will mount a fan on an
exterior door frame to pull air out of
the house and determine how airtfght
the home really is.
Make sure fireplace dampers,
dryer vents, and bathroom fans
are open only during use. An
open damper can let as much as
eight percent of the heat in your
Decorate for cold-weather
efficiency. Use lined draperies,
working shutters, and insulated
window shades to significantly
cut heat loss.
Check your heating system. Have your
furnace serviced for maximum
efficiency. Bleed radiators and clean
forced-air registers to ensure proper
operatfon. Change furnace filters
monthly or as recommended by the
Add storm windows. Storm windows
improve energy efficiency and
personal comfort for a fractfon of the
Restore porches and awnings.
Porches, awnings, and shutters
were intended for shade and
insulatfon. The restoratfon of
porches requires historic review.
Often the solutfon to energy leaks in an older home are simpler than imagined. A misconceptfon that some
people have about Historic Preservatfon is that it is counter to the growing desire for increased energy
efficiency and green building practfces. However, there are many green practfces that are appropriate or
that are inherent in historic buildings. Many of the suggestfons listed below do not require historic review,
but the small steps outlined can make a big difference in cutting energy loss in an older home. The
Commission also encourages new innovatfons and ideas be brought to their attentfon for discussion and
research as technologies change.
19
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook 4.0 Guidelines for Alteratfons Keep doors airtight by
weather stripping, caulking,
Insulate ductwork and hot water
pipes travelling through cool spaces.
Caulk holes around mail chutes,
cable television and utflity entrances,
and outdoor faucets.
Keep original windows intact. Older
windows perform extremely well
when properly maintained. Don’t
replace — repair! Seal gaps with
caulk, apply new glazing compound,
replace broken panes, repair loose
wood parts, and install weather
stripping. You’ll reduce landfill waste
and the demand for vinyl, a non-
biodegradable material that gives off
toxic byproducts when made.
Insulate the attic, basement, and
crawl space. About 20% of energy
costs come from heat loss in those
areas. Inadequate insulatfon results in
heat loss, and forces your furnace to
work overtfme. Make certain the attic
hatch is as well insulated as the attic
Reuse old materials, such as brick,
stone, glass, and slate when making
home improvements. This prevents
these materials from ending up in the
landfill and does not require the
resources to harvest or produce new
materials. Make a visit to the Salvage
Barn at the Iowa City Landfill to find
reusable materials of every sort.
Plant trees and other landscaping.
Evergreen trees on the north and west
sides of your house can block winter
winds, and leafy trees on the south and
west provide shade from the summer
sun. It may be possible to use old
photos to match the historic
In summer, open the windows and
use fans and dehumidifiers, which
consume less energy than air-
conditfoning. Many old houses
were designed with good cross-
ventflatfon; take advantage of your
Install a programmable
thermostat to keep your house
warm when you are home, and
20 4.0 Guidelines for Alteratfons Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
City Guidelines. Projects requiring the exceptfons corresponding to the property type listed below may be
approved by the Preservatfon Planner or Preservatfon Planner and Chair. Projects requiring exceptfons to
the guidelines that are not listed may be considered by the full Commission under major review. The
Commission is afforded flexibility when reviewing applicatfons in order to arrive at historically and
architecturally appropriate solutfons in cases where a proposed constructfon project does not significantly
affect the architectural character of a historic structure.
In deciding on a project requiring an exceptfon to the guidelines, the Commission may find guidance in the
additfonal guidelines, outlined in sectfon 3.2. When approving a project requiring an exceptfon, the
Commission shall identffy the guideline(s) for which the exceptfon is being made, and the ratfonale for the
exceptfon.
For more informatfon on exceptfons to the Iowa City Guidelines, please refer to sectfon 3.2.
Applies to Noncontributfng Propertfes in Historic Districts
All Propertfes in Conservatfon Districts
Foundatfons provide a base for a building and make a transitfon from the walls above ground to the walls
or supports below ground. The amount of exposed foundatfon varies with historic structures, but is
typically 12 to 30 inches. On brick or stone structures the foundatfon material may be different in color and
texture than the wall material, and the two are often separated by a belt course of yet another material or
pattern. On many occasions correctfng all sources of moisture and other circumstances that may cause
damage to the foundatfon wall and footfngs is necessary prior to the repairs. Maintaining a slope away
from the foundatfon to prevent standing water or drainage toward the foundatfon is also essentfal for the
long-term stability.
4.5 Foundations
Recommended:
Historic Foundatfons
Correctfng all sources of moisture and other
circumstances that may cause damage to
the foundatfon wall and footfngs.
Repairing historic foundatfons rather than
replacing them.
Removing all non-historic materials and
repairing or replacing, if necessary,
foundatfons with materials that appear
similar to the existfng materials in size, color,
texture, compositfon, and joint profile.
Repairing stucco with a mixture that
matches the existfng in texture, color, and
compositfon.
Retaining the size, shape and locatfon of
historic door openings, window openings,
and storm cellar entrances in the
foundatfon. If new window wells are
required, the materials used must appear
similar to the existfng foundatfon material.
New Foundatfons
Using a smooth faced concrete foundatfon
for new primary buildings and outbuildings
Disallowed:
Historic Foundatfons
Covering exposed brick, stone, and textured
concrete block foundatfons with a cement
plaster or stucco.
Raising the adjacent grade at the foundatfon
to cover what was historically exposed.
Paintfng masonry or concrete foundatfons
that were originally unpainted.
Exception
In order to provide flexibility for certain changes
and certain propertfes, the Commission has
documented a number of exceptfons to the Iowa
New Foundatfons
The Commission may allow use of concrete
or rock-face concrete block for replacement
foundatfon walls and piers in place of
masonry units that appear similar to the
existfng.
21
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook 4.0 Guidelines for Alteratfons Original built-in gutters are important design features of some historic buildings. Removing these
requires a building permit and must be approved by the Historic Preservatfon Commission. A building
permit and Certfficate of Appropriateness are not required for replacing external gutters.
4.6 Gutters and Downspouts
Recommended:
New Downspouts
Installing metal downspouts placed vertfcally
near the corners. They should be painted to
match the background wall or trim color.
Original Built-In Gutters
Repairing original built-in gutters. EPDM
rubber sheetfng is an economical
replacement material for the original tfn
flashing.
Covering original built-in gutters and
applying exterior gutters only if the roof
slope at the gutter is not altered. This can
be accomplished with horizontal blocking
and flashing above the old gutter.
Disallowed:
Roof Pitch
Altering the roof pitch when covering
historic built-in gutters.
Exception
In order to provide flexibility for certain changes and certain propertfes, the Commission has
documented a number of exceptfons to the Iowa City Guidelines. Projects requiring the exceptfons
corresponding to the property type listed below may be approved by the Preservatfon Planner or
Preservatfon Planner and Chair. Projects requiring exceptfons to the guidelines that are not listed may
be considered by the full Commission under major review. The Commission is afforded flexibility when
reviewing applicatfons in order to arrive at historically and architecturally appropriate solutfons in cases
where a proposed constructfon project does not significantly affect the architectural character of a
historic structure.
In deciding on a project requiring an exceptfon to the guidelines, the Commission may find guidance in
the additfonal guidelines, outlined in sectfon 3.2. When approving a project requiring an exceptfon, the
Commission shall identffy the guideline(s) for which the exceptfon is being made, and the ratfonale for
the exceptfon.
For more informatfon on exceptfons to the Iowa City Guidelines, please refer to sectfon 3.2.
Applies to All Propertfes
Original Built-In Gutters
Removal of original built-in gutters unable to
be repaired. On a case-by-case basis, the
Commission may consider allowing removal
of original built-in gutters if documentatfon
is provided to establish evidence of need.
This may include damage to the roof itself or
inability to repair built-in gutters to proper
working conditfon.
Roof Pitch
Modified roofline, built-in gutters
covered/removed, a slight slope has
been added to allow for drainage. A
slight modification of the roof pitch at
the built-in gutter is allowed to
accommodate drainage.
Original Roofline with the built-in
gutters. Simply covering the built-in
gutters does not allow for adequate
roof drainage.
Modified roofline, built-in gutters
have been removed and the roofline
straightened. This alters the character
defining flared roof edge and lowers
the cornice of the building.
Dramatically altering the roof pitch at
the built-in gutter is not allowed.
Minor changes to the roof pitch to
address drainage concerns. On a case-by
-case basis, the Commission may
consider allowing minor changes to the
roof pitch if documentatfon is provided
to establish evidence of need. Work
should be done to ensure other
significant architectural features such as
trim and brackets are not altered.
224.0 Guidelines for Alteratfons Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
Mass and roof pitch are defining characteristfcs of historic architectural styles. Most of the roofs in historic
neighborhoods were originally sawn cedar shingles, although standing seam metal was sometfmes applied.
The texture of the wood shingles on the steep-pitched roofs was a prominent feature of historic
neighborhoods during the 19th and early 20th centuries. A building permit is not required for simply
replacing shingles and historic review is not required.
4.7 Mass and Rooflines
Recommended:
Materials
Preserving historic trim such as crown
molding, skirt and frieze boards, and
decoratfve metal.
Consider unoriginal materials that may have
achieved significance, such as metal roofs.
Maintaining metal roofs rather than
replacing.
Paintfng metal roofs dark colors, usually dull
red or green, or a natural metallic silver
color.
Replacing a special historic shingle with one
of a similar style when the old shingles need
replacing. If quality replacement items
cannot be obtained, metal roofs should be
replaced with a high-quality wood shingle or
with asphalt shingles.
Using asphalt shingles that resemble the
texture and color of weathered wood
shingles for roofs that had wood shingles
historically.
Using metal framed skylights where allowed.
New Dormers
Designing new dormers to be of a size, scale
and proportfon that is consistent with the
architectural style.
Designing new dormers such that the face of
the dormer is primarily composed of window
area.
Adding dormers to an existfng roof in a
manner that does not significantly alter the
character of the historic building.
Adding dormers that are in proportfon to the
roof’s overall size. The width of the dormers
in proportfon to the roof on which they are
located should be consistent with the
architectural style.
Adding dormers that are no closer than 3
feet to an existfng gable end or hip. The
intent is to avoid significantly altering the
original roof lines.
Constructfng gabled and hipped dormers
that have roof pitches similar to the pitch of
the main roof.
Original Roofline and Mass
Preserving the original roof pitches and
spans.
Preserving the original walls and vertfcal
corners that define the massing of a historic
building.
Disallowed:
New Dormers
Adding dormers that are wider than ones
commonly found in the neighborhood or on
buildings of a similar architectural style.
Adding dormers that extend above the
existfng peak of the roof.
Original Roofline and Mass
Substantfally altering the roof pitch of a
historic building on one or both sides of the
roof to gain headroom below the rafters.
Not Recommended:
Mechanical Devices
Installing antennas, vents, solar collectors,
skylights, satellite dishes, or other
mechanical devices on prominent street
elevations.
Exception
In order to provide flexibility for certain changes
and certain propertfes, the Commission has
documented a number of exceptfons to the Iowa
(Continued on page 23)
23
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook 4.0 Guidelines for Alteratfons City Guidelines. Projects requiring the exceptfons corresponding to the property type listed below may
be approved by the Preservatfon Planner or Preservatfon Planner and Chair. Projects requiring
exceptfons to the guidelines that are not listed may be considered by the full Commission under major
review. The Commission is afforded flexibility when reviewing applicatfons in order to arrive at
historically and architecturally appropriate solutfons in cases where a proposed constructfon project
does not significantly affect the architectural character of a historic structure.
In deciding on a project requiring an exceptfon to the guidelines, the Commission may find guidance in
the additfonal guidelines, outlined in sectfon 3.2. When approving a project requiring an exceptfon, the
Commission shall identffy the guideline(s) for which the exceptfon is being made, and the ratfonale for
the exceptfon.
For more informatfon on exceptfons to the Iowa City Guidelines, please refer to sectfon 3.2.
Applies to All propertfes
Replacement of metal roofs.
On a case-by-case basis, the Commission
may consider allowing replacement of metal
roofs with an approved alternatfve material
if documentatfon is provided to establish
evidence of need and of efforts to repair
existfng damage.
Roof Pitch
Minor changes to the roof pitch to address
drainage concerns. On a case-by-case basis,
the Commission may consider allowing
minor changes to the roof pitch if
documentatfon is provided to establish
evidence of need. Work should be done
to ensure other significant architectural
features such as trim and brackets are
not altered.
Hipped roof Gambrel roof Mansard roof
Flat roof
Shed roof Gable roof
Types of rooflines commonly found in Iowa City
Commercial flat roof
24 4.0 Guidelines for Alteratfons Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
Masonry is designed to resist weathering without paint or any other protectfve coatfng while retaining an
appealing appearance. As such, it is a relatfvely maintenance-free material. When there is deterioratfon of
masonry, the single most important step is to locate and repair the cause of the problem before going to
the expense and trouble of repairing the masonry. When repairing masonry, four important propertfes
should be considered: color, texture, dimension, and hardness of the masonry units.
4.8 Masonry
Recommended:
Historic Masonry
Removing all vines. Vines cause the masonry
to retain moisture. Their root-like holdfasts
can cause damage to mortar joints.
Removing deteriorated mortar by hand.
Raking the joints with hand tools is less likely
to damage the masonry. The Historic
Preservatfon Commission may, at its
discretfon, allow for the use of electric
grinders by a qualified professional to
remove mortar.
Replacing deteriorated masonry units with
ones that appear similar to the existfng
masonry units in color, texture and size, and
that have an appropriate hardness.
Using mortar that is similar in hardness to
the original mortar. A recommended mix for
historic masonry contains 1 part white
Portland cement, 3 parts lime, and 9 parts
sand. If necessary, dye should be added to
the new mortar to match the color of the
original mortar. This mix is suitable for both
laying and pointfng masonry walls.
Making mortar joints that match the
dimensions of the original joints. Historic
mortar joints are often narrower than those
commonly used today.
Cleaning new mortar smears from the
masonry face with a mild acid designed for
that purpose.
Cleaning historic masonry using a natural
bristle brush and mild, water-based
detergent. Sometfmes a gentle chemical
method may be appropriate, but only if it
does not damage the masonry.
Disallowed:
Historic Masonry
Sandblastfng, water blastfng, or any other
abrasive cleaning method. Blastfng can
cause very serious damage by destroying the
protectfve exterior surface and exposing the
softer interior to rapid deterioratfon. This
damage cannot be repaired.
Pointfng soft historic masonry with a strong
Portland cement mix or synthetfc caulking
compound. Hard mortars will damage soft
historic masonry such as brick.
Paintfng or sealing historic masonry that has
not been painted.
Exception
For more informatfon on exceptfons to the Iowa
City Guidelines, please refer to sectfon 3.2.
Average temperatures
No movement
Flexible Mortar
(Lime)
Inflexible Mortar
(Cement)
Average temperatures
No movement
Hot (Bricks expand)
Mortar compresses
Cold (Bricks contract)
Mortar flexes
Hot (Bricks expand)
Spalding
Cold (Bricks contract)
Cracks open up
25
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook 4.0 Guidelines for Alteratfons Paint schemes should be simple. Colors should be selected to complement the style and period of the
building. The Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Commission has literature that recommends historically
appropriate paint colors and schemes. For informatfon please contact the Preservatfon Planner. A
building permit is not required for paintfng and historic review is not required, though, the Commission
may include provisions regarding paint and color for certain projects which do require a permit and
historic review.
4.9 Paint and Color
Color #2
Trim
Color # 1
Wall
Color #3
Window Sash
Typically black or
dark green
Recommended:
Paint Color
Choosing a color scheme that is consistent
with the architectural style of the building.
Typically, this would be one color for the
body of the building, one or two colors for
the trim, and black or dark green for the
window sashes and storm windows. If a
horizontal board delineates the upper floor
of the building, a second color may be used
for the upper floor walls.
Pressure Treated Lumber
Pressure treated lumber should be allowed
to cure for a period of six months to one
year prior to paintfng or staining due to high
moisture content
Repaintfng
Removing loose and peeling paint and
cleaning the surfaces to be painted in
accordance with pertfnent State and Federal
guidelines. Practfces that help reduce the
potentfal for the creatfon of lead dust, such
as mistfng surfaces with water when
scraping, are encouraged. Old paint that is
sound and reasonably smooth should be left
in place as a foundatfon for the new paint.
Taking all recommended safety
precautfons, including using a proper
respirator to avoid breathing the fumes
or dust from lead-based paint.
Covering the ground and plants adjacent
to the work area with plastfc tarps to
catch lead-based paint chips and dust
Collectfng and properly disposing of paint
chips and other waste.
Priming, caulking, and finishing with high-
quality products.
Removing any grayed surface of
weathered wood by sanding.
Treatfng dry wood with linseed oil and
priming with an oil-based primer.
Windows
Finishing approved non-wood window
sashes in a dark color such as black or
dark green.
Not Recommended:
Paint Color
(Continued on page 26)
264.0 Guidelines for Alteratfons Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
Porches are the focus of many historic buildings and help define their overall character. In historic
residentfal neighborhoods, front porches help to establish a sense of community. Front porches and sun
porches should be preserved for both their architectural and social value.
Recommended:
Historic Porches
Repairing historic porches and conserving as
much of the historic material as possible.
Replacing badly deteriorated components
with new ones that match the historic
components in design and material. Custom
fabricatfon of columns, brackets, pedestals,
and moldings may be necessary, but many
porch components can be ordered through
lumber yards.
Using vertfcal-grained fir porch flooring for
its resistance to weathering.
Constructfng or replacing missing
balustrades and handrails using historic
photographs or in a style that is consistent
with both the building and neighborhood
(See sectfon 4.1 Balustrades and Handrails
for more details).
Using wood steps for
a wood porch and tfle, brick,
or concrete steps for a
masonry porch.
Leaving exposed the
support piers below the
porch columns. Skirtfng must
be added to fill the space
below the porch floor and
grade if this space is 18
inches or greater. The skirt
must be located between the
porch piers.
Constructfng porch
skirtfng using a 3-6 inch wood
frame with slats fastened to
the back of the frame in a vertfcal or lattice
pattern.
Wood Substftutes
Substftutfng a material in place of wood only
if the substftute material retains the
appearance and functfon of the original
wood. The substftute must be durable,
accept paint, and be approved by the
Historic Preservatfon Commission.
Disallowed:
Historic Porches
Removing a historic front porch.
Changing the original roof pitch. Newer
materials including EPDM rubber sheetfng
and heat–sealed asphalt products make the
maintenance of low-pitched roofs easier
than in years past.
Enclosing front porches or other porches
that are highly visible from the street with
permanent windows and/or walls.
Unique porch guidelines exist for the Moffitt
Cottage Natfonal Register Historic District.
In this district traditfonal front porches were
not used and are not permitted. Refer to 8.0
Neighborhood District Guidelines.
New Materials
Using wrought iron elements unless they
were part of the historic design.
Using unpainted treated wood for elements
that would have been painted in their
historic applicatfons.
Using precast concrete steps on the front or
(Continued on page 27)
Choosing bright, obtrusive colors.
Paintfng a building entfrely white.
Repaintfng
Dry sanding, sandblastfng or using high-pressure sprayers to
remove paint from masonry or wood.
Using high heat or open flames for paint removal.
Using paint strippers containing methylene chloride.
Using other methods with a high potentfal to create lead dust
that are discouraged by State and Federal guidelines.
Diagonal Lattice
Typical Skirting Designs
Vertical Slats
Orthogonal Lattice
4.10 Porches
Proper usage of respiratory
protection and heat to
prevent the distribution of
lead dust
27
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook 4.0 Guidelines for Alteratfons New Materials
Porch floors may be concrete if the floor is
no more than 18 inches above grade.
Porches with floors that are more than 18
inches above grade must be built using
traditfonal porch constructfon with wood
joists and wood flooring.
Pretreated porch decking or dimensional
lumber may be used for decking provided
the gaps between the floorboards do not
exceed 1/8 inch.
Porches on rear elevatfons need not
reproduce historic details.
Projects requiring the exceptfons corresponding to the property type listed below may be approved by
the Preservatfon Planner or Preservatfon Planner and Chair. Projects requiring exceptfons to the
guidelines that are not listed may be considered by the full Commission under major review. The
Commission is afforded flexibility when reviewing applicatfons in order to arrive at historically and
architecturally appropriate solutfons in cases where a proposed constructfon project does not
significantly affect the architectural character of a historic structure.
In deciding on a project requiring an exceptfon to the guidelines, the Commission may find guidance in
the additfonal guidelines, outlined in sectfon 3.2. When approving a project requiring an exceptfon, the
Commission shall identffy the guideline(s) for which the exceptfon is being made, and the ratfonale for
the exceptfon.
For more informatfon on exceptfons to the Iowa City Guidelines, please refer to sectfon 3.2.
Applies to Noncontributfng Propertfes in Historic Districts
All Propertfes in Conservatfon Districts
side elevatfon if the steps will be highly
visible from the street. They are acceptable
on the rear elevatfon.
Wood Substftutes
Substftutfng a material in place of wood that
does not retain the appearance, functfon,
and paintability of the original wood.
Exception
In order to provide flexibility for certain
changes and certain propertfes, the
Commission has documented a number of
exceptfons to the Iowa City Guidelines.
Roof
Cornice
Column
Baluster
Floor
Skirting
Pier
284.0 Guidelines for Alteratfons Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
Wood siding is prevalent throughout the historic neighborhoods in Iowa City. Most often it is plain
clapboard siding with an exposure between 3 and 5 inches; however, it is sometfmes tongue and groove,
shiplap, or wall shingle siding. Wood siding along with the trim details and a variety of paint colors combine
to make one of the most important defining characteristfcs of historic districts. This display of detail and
color is essentfal to the character of the older neighborhoods, and therefore siding is protected by the
design guidelines.
The primary threat to the traditional appearance of older neighborhoods has been the application
of synthetic siding. This has been installed in an effort to avoid periodic painting. While synthetic siding
may last longer than an application of paint, it does deteriorate over time and does need to be replaced
when it fades, cracks, dents, or deteriorates. The application of synthetic siding covers many architectural
details of a building, damages the historic siding and trim, traps moisture within the walls, and in
some cases, necessitates the removal of historic elements altogether. For all of these reasons the
covering of historic properties with synthetic siding is not allowed.
The presence of modern insulation in the walls of historic homes can also result in moisture damage. For recommendations on ways to improve the energy efficiency of a historic home, please reference section 4.4 Energy Efficiency.
4.11 Siding
Clapboard siding Staggered edge shingle siding Board and Batten Siding
Typical Siding Types found in Iowa City
Recommended
Historic Siding
Repairing historic wood siding and trim.
Replacing deteriorated sectfons of wood
siding with new or salvaged wood siding that
matches the historic wood siding.
Removing synthetfc siding and repairing
historic wood siding and trim.
Synthetfc Siding
Replacing synthetfc siding with siding to
match the original siding of the structure.
Matching synthetfc siding may be used to
repair damage to small sectfons of existfng
synthetfc siding.
Wood Substftutes
Substftutfng a material in place of wood
siding only if the substftute material retains
the appearance and functfon of the original
wood. The substftute material must be
durable, accept paint and be approved by
the Historic Preservatfon Commission. In
many applicatfons, fiber cement board with
a smooth finish is an approved wood
substftute.
Disallowed
Historic Trim
Removing historic trim pieces such as door
and window trim, skirt and frieze boards,
and corner boards.
Covering historic trim such as door and
window trim, skirt and frieze boards, and
corner boards.
Synthetfc Siding
Applying synthetfc siding such as aluminum,
vinyl, or false masonry siding.
(Continued on page 29)
29
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook 4.0 Guidelines for Alteratfons Shingle siding Fish scale siding Dutch lap (drop) siding
Exceptions
In order to provide flexibility for certain changes and certain properties, the Commission has
documented a number of exceptions to the Iowa City Guidelines. Projects requiring the exceptions
corresponding to the property type listed below may be approved by the Preservation Planner or
Preservation Planner and Chair. Projects requiring exceptions to the guidelines that are not listed
may be considered by the full Commission under major review. The Commission is afforded flexibility
when reviewing applications in order to arrive at historically and architecturally appropriate solutions
in cases where a proposed construction project does not significantly affect the architectural
character of a historic structure.
In deciding on a project requiring an exception to the guidelines, the Commission may find guidance in
the additfonal guidelines, outlined in sectfon 3.2. When approving a project requiring an exceptfon, the
Commission shall identffy the guideline(s) for which the exceptfon is being made, and the ratfonale for
the exceptfon.
For more informatfon on exceptfons to the Iowa City Guidelines, please refer to sectfon 3.2.
Applies to Non-Historic Propertfes in
Historic Districts
Noncontributfng and Non-
Historic Properties in
Conservation Districts
Noncontributing and
Non- Historic
Outbuildings in
Conservation Districts.
Synthetfc Siding May be Considered Provided
the Following Conditfons:
Noncontributfng and non-historic structures
be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to
determine the architectural merit of the
property under consideratfon. Some
noncontributfng and non-historic structures
were classified according to an architectural
style or constructfon period inconsistent
with the district, but nevertheless remain
important propertfes and worthy of
preservatfon.
For structures already possessing synthetfc
siding, other factors besides the presence of
synthetfc siding should exist which prevents
the structure from being considered a
contributfng structure to the district.
Otherwise, alteratfons should be encouraged
which will enable the property to become
contributfng to the district.
All sources of moisture that have caused
damage to the structure are corrected
and the damage repaired prior to the
application of the siding.
Historic architectural features such as
window trim, brackets, moldings, rafter
tails, columns, balusters and similar
details are not covered, removed, cut or
otherwise damaged. Unless severely
deteriorated, historic wood siding must
not be removed.
To the extent possible, the synthetic
siding appears similar to the original
wood siding in exposure, texture and
design.
Trim boards extend in front of the face of
the siding.
The synthetic siding does not have a
simulated wood grain.
(Continued on page 30)
Synthetic siding may be removed, and if original wood siding exists underneath it may be repaired or removed and replaced with wood or an approved alternative material, provided the following conditions:
Synthetic siding covers the original
wood siding.
Evidence of technical or economic
challenges is noted related to the
deteriorated condition of the original
wood siding or the impact that
rehabilitation may have on building
performance, health or safety.
If original wood siding is removed, it must
be replaced with an appropriate material
that matches in exposure, texture, and
design.
Economic challenges could exist in situations where compliance with the guidelines results in costs that are exorbitant. In order to demonstrate an economic challenge, applicants must submit detailed cost estimates. Staff and the Commission can evaluate if the added costs to comply with the guidelines is necessary or if there is another less costly solution.
Staff and the Commission can evaluate other technical or economic challenges on a case-by-case basis.
The following exception provides flexibility to owners of eligible buildings with existing synthetic siding installed over original wood siding. The City recommends repair of original wood siding over replacement whenever feasible. Removal of the synthetic siding and repair of the original wood siding and trim is often the most sustainable and affordable solution. However, some property owners may have legitimate economic or technical concerns due to the deteriorated condition of the original wood siding or the impact rehabilitation may have on building performance, health or safety such as the potential for moisture damage due to the presence of modern insulation. Therefore, this exception encourages City staff and the Commission to consult with homeowners and/or their professional agents to assess applications involving the presence of synthetic siding and provide flexibility to situations where property owners wish to avoid economical and technical challenges such as moisture damage, remove the synthetic siding and the original siding, and replace it with an appropriate material as described in this handbook that matches in exposure, texture, and design.
Local historic landmarks and key contributing properties in historic and conservation districts are not eligible for this exception. This exception only applies to buildings with wood siding and not stucco, stone, or brick.
Applies to Non-Historic Properties inHistoric and Conservation Districts
NŽŶ-ĐŽŶƚƌŝďƵƚŝŶŐ and CŽŶƚƌŝďƵƚŝŶŐƉƌŽƉĞƌƚŝĞƐ in Historic and Conservation Districts
PƌŝŵĂƌLJƐƚƌƵĐƚƵƌĞƐĂŶĚŽƵƚďƵŝůĚŝŶŐƐ͕ŝŶHŝƐƚŽƌŝĐĂŶĚCŽŶƐĞƌǀĂƚŝŽŶDŝƐƚƌŝĐƚƐ
304.0 Guidelines for Alteratfons Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
•
•
•
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook 4.0 Guidelines for Alteratfons 31
324.0 Guidelines for Alteratfons Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
Site features and landscaping can contribute significantly to the character of a neighborhood, streetscape
or property. Accommodatfng parking, site access and other modern outdoor needs should be done in a
discreet manner. To the extent possible, these modern site features should be located in the backyard and
accessed from an alley.
4.12 Site and Landscaping
Recommended:
Disability Access
Following the recommendatfons for ramps
in 5.2 Decks and Ramps.
Fences
Installing fences between the street and the
front facade that are 4 feet or less in height.
Designing fences to be similar to historic
fence styles, such as wood picket fences, and
wrought iron or metal fences.
Paintfng wood fences.
Parking
Providing parking behind the primary
structure on a lot where possible. If parking
must be located along the side of an existfng
or new primary structure, it must be set
back from the front plane of the building a
minimum of 10 feet and be screened by a
decoratfve fence, landscaping, or a
combinatfon of a decoratfve fence and
landscaping, and approved by the Historic
Preservatfon Commission.
Providing a minimum of 5 feet setback from
all property lines for parking areas of 4 or
more spaces
Pedestrian Access
Providing a sidewalk that connects the
entrance door or porch to the public
sidewalk.
Sidewalks, Streets, and Walls
Repairing historic brick paving materials
and masonry retaining walls.
Constructfng new driveways to be similar to
historic driveways in the neighborhoods.
Typically these driveways are 8-10 feet in
width and may have only a three foot
sectfon for each track paved, leaving grass in
the center of the drive.
Vegetatfon
Removing large trees that are planted closer
than 20 feet to historic buildings and shrubs
planted closer than 5 feet. Trees, shrubs and
other substantfal plantfngs can increase the
moisture and mold at the exterior walls and
the roots can damage foundatfons.
Vehicular Access
Providing vehicular access from an alley
when available. Driveways leading from the
(Continued on page 33)
Street
Street
Minimum 10 feet
setback behind front
of primary building
Minimum 5 feet setback
from property line if
more than 4 spaces
Decorative fence and
landscape screen
Sidewalk connecting
entrance door to
public sidewalk
8-10 feet wide
driveway
33
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook 4.0 Guidelines for Alteratfons Installing chain link, wire mesh or rail
fences in locatfons highly visible from the
street.
Sidewalks, Streets, and Walls
Replacing historic brick paving with
concrete.
Vegetatfon
Removing mature trees, unless tree is
causing damage to a building, is diseased,
or is structurally unsound, as determined
by a professional arborist.
Exception
For more informatfon on exceptfons to the
Iowa City Guidelines, please refer to sectfon
3.2.
4.13 Windows
Head
Casing
Muntin Bars
Light/pane
Sash
Sill
street to garages or parking at the rear of
the property should be one lane in width,
but can be widened toward the back of the
lot to provide access to multf-stall garages or
parking spaces.
Disallowed:
Fences
Removing historic metal fences.
Parking
Providing parking spaces between the
primary structure and the street.
Vehicular Access
Adding curb cuts and driveways from the
street when access is available from an alley.
Not Recommended:
Fences
Windows are one of the most important elements that define a building’s architectural character.
Important window characteristfcs and elements include the window type, size, proportfon, trim—
lintels, sills, decoratfve hoods and pediments, pattern of divided lights, mullions, sash and decoratfve
glass. Most often, historic windows are double-hung, but casements were occasionally used. Except for
small decoratfve windows, historic windows are generally taller than they are wide, and the lower and
upper floor windows are often aligned vertfcally. The Commission recommends repair of historic
windows before replacement is considered, and requires documentatfon of the extent of deterioratfon
in order to approve replacement of windows.
Recommended:
Attic Windows, Vents, Window Air-Conditfon Units and Other
Similar Openings
Preserving historic attic windows, their trim and installing
traditfonal wood vents.
Locatfng new attic openings in a manner that is
compatfble with the historic window pattern.
Locatfng window air-conditfoning units on a building
elevatfon which is not highly visible from the street.
Historic Windows
Preserving the historic windows by repairing sashes and
frames.
Retaining historic window frames and replacing badly
deteriorated sashes with new sashes that match the
historic ones.
New Windows
Adding windows that match the type, size, sash width,
trim, use of divided lights, and overall appearance of the
historic windows.
Adding new windows in a locatfon that is consistent with
the window pattern of the historic building or buildings of
similar architectural style.
(Continued on page 34)
344.0 Guidelines for Alteratfons Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
Outbuilding Windows
Windows on outbuildings should be
relatfvely small and rectangular or square.
Relocatfon and Closing Window Openings
If an opening is to be relocated, it should
not detract from overall fenestratfon
pattern.
If an opening is to be closed on a brick
structure, it should be recessed to express
the original opening and lintels and sills
should be maintained. On a framed
structure, appropriate siding that matches
the existfng should be used with its
members being placed across and randomly
extended beyond the opening.
Replacement Windows
Replacing badly deteriorated windows with
new ones that match the type, size, sash
width, trim, use of divided lights, and overall
appearance of the historic windows.
Using new wood windows to replace
deteriorated historic wood windows,
although the use of metal-clad, solid-wood
windows is acceptable. All replacement
windows and trim must accept paint.
Typically, sashes will be finished in a dark
color, either black or dark green.
Divided lights may be true or simulated.
Simulated divided lights may be created with
muntfn bars that are permanently adhered
to both sides of the glass, preferably with
spacer bars between the panes of insulatfng
glass.
Replacing a bedroom window, if required for
egress by the Building Code, with a new one
that matches the size, trim, use of divided
lights, and overall appearance.
Storm Windows and Shutters
Installing traditfonal wood storm windows
Typical window types:
Double Hung window Awning window Casement window Slider window
and screens on older buildings. Storms
should fit the opening exactly, without the
use of spacers.
Installing wood-frame combinatfon storm
windows with screens that resemble
traditfonal wood storm windows. The use of
metal-clad, wood-frame combinatfon storm
windows is acceptable. Storm windows must
accept paint and should be painted the same
color as the sash of the main windows,
preferably black.
Any new shutters should be
proportfonate so that they cover the
windows if closed. The shutters should
be compatfble with the style of the historic
house and should be louvered or paneled
wood constructfon.
Disallowed:
New and Replacement Windows
Installing modern types of windows
including sliding, awning, casement, and bay
windows when they were not original to the
building, consistent with the architectural
style, or required for egress.
Installing metal, vinyl-clad or vinyl windows
on primary structures or on contributfng
outbuildings when they were not original to
the building.
Using between-the-glass grilles or snap-in
grilles to achieve the appearance of divided
lights.
Introducing new window openings into
primary elevatfons.
Shutters
Installing shutters on windows on a structure
that did not historically have shutters.
Exception
In order to provide flexibility for certain changes
and certain propertfes, the Commission has
documented a number of exceptfons to the Iowa
(Continued on page 35)
35
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook 4.0 Guidelines for Alteratfons City Guidelines. Projects requiring the exceptfons corresponding to the property type listed below may
be approved by the Preservatfon Planner or Preservatfon Planner and Chair. Projects requiring
exceptfons to the guidelines that are not listed may be considered by the full Commission under major
review. The Commission is afforded flexibility when reviewing applicatfons in order to arrive at
historically and architecturally appropriate solutfons in cases where a proposed constructfon project
does not significantly affect the architectural character of a historic structure.
In deciding on a project requiring an exceptfon to the guidelines, the Commission may find guidance in
the additfonal guidelines, outlined in sectfon 3.2. When approving a project requiring an exceptfon, the
Commission shall identffy the guideline(s) for which the exceptfon is being made, and the ratfonale for
the exceptfon.
For more informatfon on exceptfons to the Iowa City Guidelines, please refer to sectfon 3.2.
Applies to All Propertfes
New and Replacement Windows
Fiberglass windows may be considered
for basement windows with
moisture problems.
Modern window types may be considered
on a case-by-case basis in situatfons where
multfple window types exist on a building.
Glass block may be considered in situatfons
where the glass would not be visible from
the street, or where privacy issues exist.
Change in window size may be allowed for
egress requirements. The change of window
size should be considered a last resort.
Applies to Non-Historic Propertfes in all
Districts
New and Replacement Windows
Vinyl or vinyl-clad wood windows may be
considered for replacement windows
provided they match historical proportfons.
Applies to Noncontributfng and Non-
Historic Propertfes in all
Districts
Outbuilding Windows
Vinyl or vinyl-clad wood windows may be
considered, provided they match
appropriate historical outbuilding
window proportfons.
Applies to Noncontributfng and Non-
Historic Propertfes in
Historic Districts
All Propertfes in Conservatfon
Districts
New and Replacement Windows
Vinyl or vinyl-clad wood windows may be
used for replacement of basement
windows provided the foundatfon wall is
no more than 18 inches above grade.
Vinyl or vinyl-clad wood windows may be
considered for primary buildings in if
existfng windows are vinyl or vinyl-clad
wood.
Vinyl or vinyl-clad wood windows may be
considered for additfons provided they
match historical proportfons.
364.0 Guidelines for Alteratfons Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
Most of the structures in Iowa City’s historic neighborhoods are of wood frame constructfon and have
wood siding. Many dwellings have wood elements such as trim, windows, doors, porches, cornices,
decoratfve elements, and pediments. While most wood is relatfvely inexpensive, durable, and easy to work
with, it must be maintained properly to have a long life.
4.14 Wood
Paint stripped from balusters and
some decay is found
Small decay holes filled with
epoxy, larger ones replaced with
new wood
Original balusters are repaired
and repainted retaining the
original material and integrity
no simulated wood grain
MiraTech and similar materials have been
approved for above-grade applicatfons on a
case-by-case basis.
Polyethylene/sawdust composite materials,
such as Trex, are appropriate on a case-by-
case basis
Deck and Porch Materials
Pressure treated lumber should be allowed
to cure for a period of six months to one
year prior to paintfng due to high moisture
content.
Disallowed:
Historic Wood
Covering original wood siding, soffits and
eave boards with another material such
as vinyl or aluminum siding.
Using destructfve and dangerous paint
removal methods such as sandblastfng,
water blastfng, or burning with a propane or
butane torch.
Removal of historic wood elements such
as trim, porches, cornices, and
decoratfve elements.
Wood Substftutes
Substftutfng a material in place of wood that
does not retain the appearance, functfon,
and paintability of the original wood.
Exception
For more informatfon on exceptfons to the Iowa
City Guidelines, please refer to sectfon 3.2.
Recommended:
Historic Wood
Repairing historic wood elements rather
than replacing them.
Using epoxy products, such as Wood Epox
and Liquid Wood by Abatron, to consolidate
deteriorated wood components, and fill or
reconstruct missing wood.
Duplicatfng and replacing historic wood
elements when they cannot be repaired.
Replacing damaged wood components
with new or salvaged wood components
that match the historic ones.
Monitoring wood surfaces for signs of
excessive water damage, rot, or pest
infestatfon. Keeping all surfaces primed,
painted and appropriately caulked in order
to prevent wood deterioratfon.
Eliminatfng excessive moisture problems
such as leaky roofs, gutters, and
downspouts. The improper ventfng of baths,
kitchens, basements, and dryers may cause
moisture problems.
Removing vegetatfon that is growing
against the wood elements or siding.
Wood Substftutes
Substftutfng a material in place of wood only
if the substftute material retains the
appearance and functfon of the original
wood. The substftute material must be
durable, accept paint, and be approved by
the Historic Preservatfon Commission.
For many applicatfons, fiber cement board is
an approved substftute for wood provided
the fiber cement board is smooth faced with
37
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook 4.0 Guidelines for Alteratfons Worn Paint, Wood in good condition
Peeling Paint, Wood likely in good condition
Peeling Paint, Wood may be in bad condition
Peeling Paint, Wood at bottom is rotting
385.0 Guidelines for Additfons Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
When planning an additfon that expands the building footprint, consider first how a new exterior form and
roof can be added to the existfng house in a manner that is compatfble with the design of the historic
building. Often, the desired interior space dictates the locatfon and size of the additfon, and the resultfng
roofline and form appear awkward and inconsistent with the historic structure. The Historic Preservatfon
Commission strongly recommends using a design professional to help evaluate space needs and plan a
compatfble additfon. Additfons to structures in districts must also comply with the guidelines in sectfon 8.0
Neighborhood District Guidelines.
5.0 Guidelines for Additions
5.1 Expansion of Building Footprint
An additfon to a historic house is often required to accommodate an expanding family, home office or
modern lifestyle. These guidelines are for additfons that expand the interior living space or building
footprint, as well as for other attached structures such as new porches, decks and ramps.
Recommended:
Balustrades and Handrails
Following the guidelines for new balustrades
and handrails in sectfon 4.1 Balustrades and
Handrails.
Chimneys
Constructfng new exterior fireplace
chimneys of masonry or stucco if the
chimney is highly visible from the street.
Building Façade
Unique surface area guidelines exist for
street elevatfons in the Longfellow
Neighborhood, generally restrictfng surface
area to no more than 800 square feet. For
Governor, Bowery, and Court Streets the
total surface area of the street elevatfon
must be no more than 1200 square feet for a
new primary building or for an existfng
building including a new additfon. For
Summit Street the total surface area of the
street elevatfon must be no more than 1500
square feet for a new primary building or for
an existfng building including a new additfon,
and no more than 750 square feet for a new
outbuilding building. For the Moffitt Cottage
Natfonal Register Historic District the street
elevatfon must be no more than 450 square
feet for a new primary building or an existfng
building including a new additfon. Refer to
8.0 Neighborhood District Guidelines.
Unique surface area guidelines exist for
street elevatfons in the College Hill
Neighborhood, generally restrictfng surface
area to no more than 1200 square feet.
Refer to 8.0 Neighborhood District
Guidelines.
Unique surface guidelines exist for street
elevatfons in the Northside Neighborhood.,
generally restrictfng surface area to no more
than 1200 square feet. Refer to 8.0
Neighborhood District Guidelines.
Building Height and Mass
Unique height and mass guidelines exist for
single-family houses or duplexes in the
Longfellow Neighborhood, restrictfng the
height to no more than two stories. For the
Summit Street Historic District single-family
houses must have two full stories in the
principal portfon of the building. For the
Moffitt Cottage Natfonal Register Historic
District single-family houses must be one
story in height. Refer to 8.0 Neighborhood
District Guidelines.
Unique height and mass guidelines exist for
single-family houses or duplexes in the
College Hill Neighborhood, restrictfng the
height to no more than two stories in height.
For College Street single-family houses and
duplexes must be two stories in height.
Refer to 8.0 Neighborhood District
Guidelines.
Unique height and mass guidelines exist for
single-family houses or duplexes in the
Northside Neighborhood, restrictfng the
height to one-and-a-half or two stories.
Refer to 8.0 Neighborhood District
Guidelines.
Design
Preserving significant historic materials and
features of the original structure such as
decoratfve windows, brackets, porches, and
trim.
Designing an additfon so that it does not
diminish the character of the historic
structure.
Distfnguishing between the historic structure
and the new additfon. This may be
accomplished easily by offsetting the walls of
the additfon from the walls of the original
structure or by connectfng additfons with a
(Continued on page 39)
39
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook 5.0 Guidelines for Additfons breezeway.
Matching key horizontal “lines” on the
existfng building, such as water table, eave
height, window head height and band
boards, in order to provide contfnuity
between the additfon and the historic
structure.
Using a palette of materials that is similar
to that used on the historic structure.
Placing building additfons at the rear of a
property, if possible. Additfons at or near the
front of an existfng building must be set back
at least 18 inches from the front plane of the
historic building, and must be differentfated
by a change in the roofline or other means.
Doors
Installing doors in additfons that match the
material of historic doors, and have a similar
style and appearance as the historic doors in
the existfng building.
Installing French doors, or doors of a
similar type, in additfons where a large
opening is desired.
Following the guidelines for new doors in
sectfon 4.3 Doors.
Foundatfons
Constructfng an additfon foundatfon that
appears similar to the historic foundatfon in
color, texture, unit size, and joint profile.
Masonry
When using masonry on an additfon, using
new masonry that appears similar in
color, texture, unit size, and joint profile
to the historic masonry.
Mass and Roofline
Constructfng additfons that are
consistent with the massing and roofline
of the historic building. This requires that
the wall areas and corners, as well as the
roof pitches and spans are all consistent
with the existfng building and have a
proportfon that is similar to that of the
existfng building.
Constructfng the roof overhang, soffits
and eaves of the additfon so that they
match the roof overhang, soffits and
eaves of the existfng building. When the
eaves of an additfon intersect the eaves
of the existfng building, care should be
taken to assure that the two eaves align
properly. The trim details of a new eave
should match the eave details of the
existfng building.
New Porches
Constructfng new porches that are
consistent with the historic building or
similar to porches of the same
architectural style.
Constructfng new porches that are more
than 18 inches above grade using
traditfonal porch constructfon with wood
joists and wood flooring.
Adding skirtfng to fill the space between
the porch floor and grade if this space is
24 inches or greater. The skirt should be
constructed between the porch piers.
Paint and Color
Paintfng additfons to match the existfng
historic building.
Setbacks
Unique setback guidelines exist for
Summit Street, located within the
Summit Street Historic District and the
Longfellow Neighborhood. On this street
the rear wall of the primary structures
must not extend deeper than 125 feet
from the front street. This restrictfon
preserves the openness of the rear yards.
Refer to 8.0 Neighborhood District
Guidelines.
Siding
Applying siding to a new additfon that
appears similar in size, shape, texture,
and material to the existfng siding on the
(Continued on page 40)
Recommended: Connecting additions with a breezeway. This
provides for an easy way to distinguish the original house from
the addition.
Recommended: Additions matching the roof pitch and type as
the original structure. Key horizontal lines, such as eaves, are
carried into the new addition.
40 5.0 Guidelines for Additfons Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
historic building.
Windows
Using windows that are of a similar type,
proportfon and divided light pattern as those
in the original structure.
Following the guidelines for new windows in
sectfon 4.13 Windows.
Wood
Constructfng additfons with materials that
appear similar to the historic siding, trim,
moldings, and other details of the original
building.
Disallowed:
Design
Constructfng an additfon between the
historic building and the street.
Leaving large expanses of wall surface
uninterrupted by windows or doors.
Constructfng an additfon that is not
distfnguishable from the historic building.
Constructfng an additfon that expands a
historic house vertfcally and increases its
overall height. Remodeling an attic space
and adding dormers is acceptable.
Porches
Adding space to a structure by enclosing a
historic front or side porch.
Unique porch guidelines exist for the Moffitt
Cottage Natfonal Register Historic District.
In this district traditfonal front porches were
not used and are not permitted. Refer to 8.0
Neighborhood District Guidelines.
Unique setback guidelines exist for the
Summit Street Historic District, located
within the Longfellow Neighborhood. In this
district attached garages are not allowed.
Garages must be located at the rear of the
property whenever possible. Refer to 8.0
Neighborhood District Guidelines.
Siding
Using synthetfc siding on an additfon instead
of the historic siding type or a substftute
material approved by the HPC, unless an
exceptfon is provided by the HPC.
Exceptions
In order to provide flexibility for certain changes
and certain propertfes, the Commission has
documented a number of exceptfons to the Iowa
City Guidelines. Projects requiring the
exceptfons corresponding to the property type
Disallowed: Constructing additions between the front of
the house and the street or that alter the historic street
facing elevation.
Disallowed: Constructing an addition that increases the
height of the original structure or alters the roofline.
Disallowed: Constructing additions that alter the
roofline of the original structure, use a differing roof
pitch, or do not match up key horizontal lines.
Disallowed: Constructing additions that are taller than
the original structure or that alter the roofline.
41
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook 5.0 Guidelines for Additfons Gutters and Downspouts
Additfons need not have built-in gutters
unless the new gutters align with the built-in
gutters of the existfng building. For instance,
a one-story additfon need not have built-in
gutters if it is attached to a two-story wall.
New Foundatfons
For additfons to foundatfons, concrete or
textured concrete block may be used in
place of masonry units that appear similar to
the original masonry.
For additfons to foundatfons, it is acceptable
to match the color of the original foundatfon
by using paint or masonry stain rather than
matching the material and appearance of
the original foundatfon material.
New Masonry
Additfons to masonry structures may be
sided with wood. The siding type must be
consistent with the age and architectural
style of the historic building. The trim must
be consistent with both the siding type and
the architectural style of the building. Any
substftute materials must be durable, accept
paint, and be approved by the Historic
Preservatfon Commission.
Porches
Porch floors may be concrete if the floor is
no more than 18 inches above grade.
Porches with floors that are more than 18
inches above grade must be built using
traditfonal porch constructfon with wood
joists and wood flooring.
Pretreated porch decking or dimensional
lumber may be used provided the gaps
between the floorboards do not exceed 1/8
inch.
Porches on rear elevatfons need not
reproduce historic details.
Windows
Modern window types, such as casement
windows, may be used in additfons
provided they have overall proportfons
comparable to those found on the
historic building, and a similar divided
light pattern. The windows must be
trimmed to match the historic windows
in the building. The windows may be
installed side-by-side, but they must have
a mullion between them if mullions were
used between windows on the historic
building. Transom-like or half-round fixed
glass units may be used if they create a
traditfonal-looking window arrangement
consistent with the historic building style.
Wood
Window trim, door trim, fascia and frieze
boards, and corner and band boards on
additfons must be similar to those on the
historic building. However, other details
of the historic building may be omitted,
simplified, or enhanced on additfons as
long as they are compatfble with the
existfng structure.
Applies to Noncontributfng and Non-
Historic Propertfes in
Conservatfon
Districts
Noncontributfng and Non-
Historic Outbuildings in
Conservatfon Districts
Synthetfc Siding May be Considered Provided
the Following Conditfons:
(Continued on page 42)
listed below may be approved by the Preservatfon Planner or Preservatfon Planner and Chair. Projects
requiring exceptfons to the guidelines that are not listed may be considered by the full Commission
under major review. The Commission is afforded flexibility when reviewing applicatfons in order to
arrive at historically and architecturally appropriate solutfons in cases where a proposed constructfon
project does not significantly affect the architectural character of a historic structure.
In deciding on a project requiring an exceptfon to the guidelines, the Commission may find guidance in
the additfonal guidelines, outlined in sectfon 3.2. When approving a project requiring an exceptfon, the
Commission shall identffy the guideline(s) for which the exceptfon is being made, and the ratfonale for
the exceptfon.
For more informatfon on exceptfons to the Iowa City Guidelines, please refer to sectfon 3.2.
Applies to Setback Additfons in Historic Districts
All Additfons in Conservatfon Districts
425.0 Guidelines for Additfons Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
Decks and ramps are features that are not typical to historic structures. They are modern inventfons
designed to meet the needs of our modern lifestyle and building codes. As such, it is not necessary that
they duplicate the details of the building to which they are attached. However, they should be as unob-
trusive as possible. These guidelines shall also be used for multf-family structures.
Ramps may be approved that accommodate reasonable access and use by disabled occupants provided
they do not significantly alter or detract from the historic character of the building. The Historic Preser-
vatfon Commission will work with applicants to find designs that will accommodate their needs and that
are compatfble with the historic character of the building.
Recommended:
5.2 Decks and Ramps
Decks
Locatfng a new deck on the back of a prima-
ry building, opposite the street-facing facade
and set in from the side walls at least 8 inch-
es.
Designing decks so that the size, scale and
locatfon do not detract from the character of
the district’s rear yards, if significant to the
district.
Attaching decks to the building in a manner
that will not damage a historic exterior wall
or, other historic materials, or cause wood
siding to deteriorate.
Following the guidelines in sectfon 4.1
Balustrades and Handrails.
If creatfng a screened porch structure,
following the guidelines for porches in
sectfon 5.1 Expansion of Building Foot
print.
Ramps
Designing ramps so they do not detract from
the historic character of the building. To the
extent possible, the yard should be graded
to create a portfon of the incline of the
ramp.
Locatfng a new ramp, or as much of the
new ramp as possible, on the side of the
building.
Incorporatfng a ramp into a porch.
Landscaping around a ramp to soften the
visual impact of the structure from the
street.
Following the guidelines in sectfon 4.1
Balustrades and Handrails.
Disallowed:
(Continued on page 43)
Noncontributfng and non-historic structures
be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to
determine the architectural merit of the
property under consideratfon. Some
noncontributfng and non-historic structures
were classified according to an architectural
style or constructfon period inconsistent
with the district, but nevertheless remain
important propertfes and worthy of
preservatfon.
For structures already possessing synthetfc
siding, other factors besides the presence of
synthetfc siding should exist which prevents
the structure from being considered a
contributfng structure to the district.
Otherwise, siding for additfons should be
encouraged which will not further degrade
the property.
To the extent possible, the synthetfc
siding appears similar to the original
wood siding in exposure, texture and
design.
Trim boards extend in front of the face of
the siding.
Applies to Non-Historic Propertfes in
All Districts
New Balustrades and Handrails
Alternatfve baluster and handrail designs
may be considered.
43
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook 5.0 Guidelines for Additfons Inappropriate railing for deck or ramp
Decks
Constructfng a deck between the street and
the street-facing facade if it detracts from
the neighborhood or is not compatfble with
the architectural style of the existfng build-
ing.
Leaving balusters and railings unpainted
if they are highly visible from the street.
Ramps
Constructfng a ramp that extends more
than 8 feet in front of the primary, street
-facing facade.
Exception
In order to provide flexibility for certain changes and certain propertfes, the Commission has document-
ed a number of exceptfons to the Iowa City Guidelines. Projects requiring the exceptfons corresponding
to the property type listed below may be approved by the Preservatfon Planner or Preservatfon Planner
and Chair. Projects requiring exceptfons to the guidelines that are not listed may be considered by the
full Commission under major review. The Commission is afforded flexibility when reviewing applica-
tfons in order to arrive at historically and architecturally appropriate solutfons in cases where a pro-
posed constructfon project does not significantly affect the architectural character of a historic struc-
ture.
In deciding on a project requiring an exceptfon to the guidelines, the Commission may find guidance in
the additfonal guidelines, outlined in sectfon 3.2. When approving a project requiring an exceptfon, the
Commission shall identffy the guideline(s) for which the exceptfon is being made, and the ratfonale for
the exceptfon.
For more informatfon on exceptfons to the Iowa City Guidelines, please refer to sectfon 3.2.
Appropriate railing for deck or ramp
446.0 Guidelines for New Constructfon Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
These guidelines are intended to ensure that new buildings are compatfble with the character of the
neighborhood where the new constructfon is to occur. Although most of the lots in Iowa City’s historic
neighborhoods are developed, occasionally the opportunity to construct a new primary structure on a
vacant lot may arise, or to replace a non-historic building that has been destroyed. Most of the new
structures built are garages or other outbuildings.
Proposed new buildings must also comply with 8.0 Neighborhood District Guidelines and with 7.0
Guidelines for Demolition, if applicable. The content of 8.0 Neighborhood District Guidelines is used to
determine the appropriate size, scale, site locatfon and architectural style of the new building. These
factors are dependent on the character of the surrounding neighborhood and district. 7.0 Guidelines for
Demolition requires approval for demolitfon and of new building plans prior to issuance of a demolitfon
permit.
Recommended:
Balustrades and Handrails
Following the guidelines for new balustrades
and handrails in sectfon 4.1 Balustrades and
Handrails.
If second-story porches are constructed,
placing them above first-story porches or
first-floor interior spaces.
Building Façade
Unique surface area guidelines exist for
street elevatfons in the Longfellow
Neighborhood, generally restrictfng surface
area to no more than 800 square feet. For
Governor, Bowery, and Court Streets the
total surface area of the street elevatfon
must be no more than 1200 square feet for a
new primary building or for an existfng
building including a new additfon. For
Summit Street the total surface area of the
street elevatfon must be no more than 1500
square feet for a new primary building or for
an existfng building including a new additfon.
For the Moffitt Cottage Natfonal Register
Historic District the street elevatfon must be
no more than 450 square feet for a new
primary building or an existfng building
including a new additfon. Refer to 8.0
Neighborhood District Guidelines.
Unique surface area guidelines exist for
6.0 Guidelines for New Construction
6.1 New Primary Structures
street elevatfons in the College Hill
Neighborhood, generally restrictfng surface
area to no more than 1200 square feet.
Refer to 8.0 Neighborhood District
Guidelines.
Unique surface are guidelines exist for street
elevatfons in the Northside Neighborhood.,
generally restrictfng surface area to no more
than 1200 square feet. Refer to 8.0
Neighborhood District Guidelines.
Building Height and Mass
Unique height and mass guidelines exist for
single-family houses or duplexes in the
Longfellow Neighborhood, restrictfng the
height to no more than two stories. For the
Summit Street Historic District single-family
houses must have two full stories in the
principal portfon of the building. For the
Moffitt Cottage Natfonal Register Historic
District single-family houses must be one
story in height. Refer to 8.0 Neighborhood
District Guidelines.
Unique height and mass guidelines exist for
single-family houses or duplexes in the
(Continued on page 45)
New construction shall be of an appropriate size, scale, site location, and architectural style
compared to the existing historic structures in the neighborhood.
Inappropriate
new construction
45
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook 6.0 Guidelines for New Constructfon College Hill Neighborhood, restrictfng the
height to no more than two stories. For
College Street single-family houses and
duplexes must be two stories in height.
Refer to 8.0 Neighborhood District
Guidelines.
Unique height and mass guidelines exist for
single-family houses or duplexes in the
Northside Neighborhood, restrictfng the
height to one-and-a-half or two stories.
Refer to 8.0 Neighborhood District
Guidelines.
Decks and Ramps
For guidelines on constructfng decks and
ramps, see 5.2 Decks and Ramps.
Design
Designing a new primary structure in a
similar style to the architectural styles
prevalent in the district. See the 8.0
Neighborhood District Guidelines for the
architectural styles that are appropriate for
each district.
Once an architectural style for a new
primary building is selected, following the
specificatfons in sectfon 12.0 Residential
Architectural Styles of Iowa City. This sectfon
describes the massing, roofline, siding,
windows, doors, porches and other
architectural features for each historic style.
Doors
Adding exterior doors on front or side
elevatfons of buildings that have half- or full-
light windows and/or raised panel
constructfon, and are consistent with the
architectural style.
Dormers
Following the guidelines for new dormers in
sectfon 4.7 Mass and Rooflines.
Masonry
Using masonry that has a similar appearance
to the masonry on historic buildings of a
similar architectural style.
Paint and Color
Where synthetfc siding is allowed, using a
color scheme that is consistent with the
architectural style of the building.
Porches
Constructfng front porches that are
consistent with the architectural style of the
building. Front porches are a character-
defining element in Iowa City districts.
Using vertfcal-grained fir porch flooring
for the porch decking.
Using wood or an approved wood
substftute that accepts paint for porch
posts, trim and other components.
Constructfng new porches that are more
than 18 inches above grade using
traditfonal porch constructfon with wood
joists and wood flooring.
Adding a skirtfng to fill the space
between the porch floor and grade if this
space is 24 inches or greater. The skirt
should be constructed between the
porch piers.
Setbacks
For new primary buildings, locatfng the
building a distance from the street so
that the setback is consistent with the
setbacks of existfng principal buildings
located along the same frontage.
Unique setback guidelines exist for
Summit Street, located within the
Summit Street Historic District and the
Longfellow Neighborhood. On this street
the rear wall of the primary structures
must not extend deeper than 125 feet
from the front street. This restrictfon
preserves the openness of the rear yards.
Refer to 8.0 Neighborhood District
Guidelines.
Siding
Using siding that is consistent with the
architectural style of the new building.
Most historic siding in Iowa City is wood.
Fiber cement siding with a smooth finish
is an acceptable substftute for wood
siding in most circumstances.
Windows
Specifying the window type, proportfon,
shape, profile, divided light pattern, and
placement based on the architectural
style of the new structure and
contributfng structures of a similar style.
(Continued on page 46)
466.0 Guidelines for New Constructfon Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
Using windows that are made of wood. The
use of metal-clad, solid-wood windows is
acceptable. Windows and trim must accept
paint. Divided lights must be created with
muntfns that are adhered to both sides of
the glass.
Placing small decoratfve windows in the attic
level of front gable ends if consistent with
the architectural style.
Adding wood (or an acceptable wood
substftute) window trim that is three to four
inches in width if the exterior walls are sided
with wood.
Wood
Using wood or an approved wood substftute
for building trim and features such as corner
boards, window trim, frieze boards,
columns, brackets and similar features.
Wood Substftutes
Substftutfng a material in place of wood only
if the substftute material retains the
appearance and functfon of wood. The
substftute material must be durable, accept
paint, and be approved by the Historic
Preservatfon Commission. For many
applicatfons, fiber cement board with a
smooth finish is an approved wood
substftute.
Disallowed:
Doors
Installing sliding glass patfo doors in any
locatfon that is highly visible from the street.
Constructfng balconies that protrude from
the walls without vertfcal supports on the
front or sides of the building.
Masonry
Using synthetfc masonry materials such as
artfficial stone.
Porches
Unique porch guidelines exist for the Moffitt
Cottage Natfonal Register Historic District.
In this district traditfonal front porches were
not used and are not permitted. Refer to 8.0
Neighborhood District Guidelines.
Constructfng a new front porch that is
entfrely enclosed with walls and/or
windows. Only a portfon of a front porch
may be enclosed with screens to provide a
sitting area that is to the side of the steps
and front entrance of the house. The screens
should be set behind the columns and
balustrades to create an appearance that is
consistent with the architectural style.
Windows
Using snap-in muntfn bars to create the
appearance of divided lights.
Not Recommended:
Attached Garages
Constructfng attached garages. However, if
constructed, they should be set back at least
20 feet from the street-facing plane of the
building.
Masonry
Using thin veneer masonry.
Shutters
Adding shutters if shutters are not consistent
with the architectural style of the building.
Exceptions
In order to provide flexibility for certain changes
and certain propertfes, the Commission has
documented a number of exceptfons to the Iowa
City Guidelines. Projects requiring the
exceptfons corresponding to the property type
listed below may be approved by the
Preservatfon Planner or Preservatfon Planner
and Chair. Projects requiring exceptfons to the
guidelines that are not listed may be considered
by the full Commission under major review. The
(Continued on page 47)
47
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook 6.0 Guidelines for New Constructfon Commission is afforded flexibility when reviewing applicatfons in order to arrive at historically and
architecturally appropriate solutfons in cases where a proposed constructfon project does not
significantly affect the architectural character of a historic structure.
In deciding on a project requiring an exceptfon to the guidelines, the Commission may find guidance in
the additfonal guidelines, outlined in sectfon 3.2. When approving a project requiring an exceptfon, the
Commission shall identffy the guideline(s) for which the exceptfon is being made, and the ratfonale for
the exceptfon.
For more informatfon on exceptfons to the Iowa City Guidelines, please refer to sectfon 3.2.
Applies to All Propertfes in Conservatfon Districts
Porches
Porch floors may be concrete if the floor is no more than 18 inches above grade. Porch floors that
are more than 18 inches above grade must be built in a traditfonal way with wood joists and wood
flooring.
Pretreated porch decking or dimensional
lumber may be used provided the gaps
between the floorboards do not exceed 1/8
inch.
Porches on rear elevatfons need not
reproduce historic details.
Applies to Non-Historic Propertfes in
All Districts
New Balustrades and Handrails
Alternatfve baluster and handrail designs
may be considered.
Applies to Non-Historic Propertfes in
Conservatfon Districts
Siding
Synthetfc siding may be used on new
primary structures, provided all window
and door trim, corner boards, band
boards or other trim are wood or an
approved wood substftute.
Windows
Vinyl and vinyl-clad wood windows may
be used on new primary structures.
486.0 Guidelines for New Constructfon Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
Recommended:
Building Façade
Unique surface area guidelines exist for
street elevatfons for Summit Street., located
within the Summit Street Historic District
and the Longfellow Neighborhood. On this
street the total surface area of the street
elevatfon must be no more than 750 square
feet for a new outbuilding building. Refer to
8.0 Neighborhood District Guidelines.
Design
Placing new outbuildings, including garages,
to the rear of the primary building.
Constructfng garages and other outbuildings
that are clearly subordinate in size and
ornamentatfon to the primary structure.
Constructfng new outbuildings that reflect
the style of the primary structure. The
primary structure will typically reflect a style
of architecture prevalent within the district.
See the 8.0 Neighborhood District Guidelines
for the architectural styles that are
appropriate for each district.
Garage Doors
Installing garage doors that are simple in
design. Smooth or simple panel-type garage
doors may be used. Carriage-style doors in
a style appropriate to the property may also
be used.
Adding trim around the garage door
openings that matches the trim of other
doors and windows on the building.
6.2 New Outbuildings
Installing single-car garage doors. Double-car
garage doors are discouraged.
Windows
Incorporatfng windows into the design that
are relatfvely small and rectangular.
Disallowed:
Attached Garages
Unique outbuilding guidelines exist for the
Summit Street Historic District, located
within the Longfellow Neighborhood. In this
district attached garages are not allowed.
Garages must be located at the rear of the
property whenever possible. Refer to 8.0
Neighborhood District Guidelines.
Siding
The use of synthetfc siding such as
aluminum, vinyl, or false masonry siding for
an outbuilding in a historic district.
Not Recommended:
Attached Garages
Constructfng garages attached to the
primary building.
Exceptions
In order to provide flexibility for certain changes
and certain propertfes, the Commission has
documented a number of exceptfons to the Iowa
(Continued on page 49)
Asphalt Shingles
Gable Vent or Window
Lap Siding (3-5” reveal)
Frieze Board (6-8”)
Corner Boards
Door and Window trim
Single garage doors
(either simple or a
compatible style)
Simple garage designs that are appropriate on most properties in Iowa City
49
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook 6.0 Guidelines for New Constructfon City Guidelines. Projects requiring the exceptfons corresponding to the property type listed below may
be approved by the Preservatfon Planner or Preservatfon Planner and Chair. Projects requiring
exceptfons to the guidelines that are not listed may be considered by the full Commission under major
review. The Commission is afforded flexibility when reviewing applicatfons in order to arrive at
historically and architecturally appropriate solutfons in cases where a proposed constructfon project
does not significantly affect the architectural character of a historic structure.
In deciding on a project requiring an exceptfon to the guidelines, the Commission may find guidance in
the additfonal guidelines, outlined in sectfon 3.2. When approving a project requiring an exceptfon, the
Commission shall identffy the guideline(s) for which the exceptfon is being made, and the ratfonale for
the exceptfon.
For more informatfon on exceptfons to the Iowa City Guidelines, please refer to sectfon 3.2.
Applies to All Propertfes in Conservatfon Districts
Design
New outbuildings may reflect the historic outbuilding styles in the neighborhood or the style of the
primary building.
Siding
Synthetfc siding may be used on new outbuildings.
Windows
Vinyl or vinyl-clad wood windows may be used on new outbuildings.
50 7.0 Guidelines for Demolitfon Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
Recommended:
Removing additfons or alteratfons that
are not historic and that significantly
detract from the building’s historic charac-
ter or that are structurally unsound and are
a safety hazard
Removing non-historic buildings and struc-
tures that detract from the historic character
of a district. Such buildings should be re-
placed with buildings that are more compatf-
ble with the district.
Saving and storing on site any historic archi-
tectural features such as windows, doors
and trim that are removed from a building or
structure.
Retaining historic garages. If the period gar-
age is insufficient for modern-day vehicles,
efforts should be made to construct a new
garage on another portfon of the site.
7.0 Guidelines for Demolition
All buildings and structures that contribute to a Conservatfon or Historic District; or that are listed or are
eligible for listfng on the Natfonal Register of Historic Places, regardless of whether they are in a
designated Historic or Conservatfon District, must be preserved against decay, deterioratfon, and kept
free from structural defects. Accordingly, all such buildings and structures must be maintained in
accordance with the provisions of Sectfon 17-5-19 of the Housing Code, Responsibilitfes of Owners
Relatfng to the Maintenance and Occupancy of Premises.
The Historic Preservatfon Commission may file a petftfon with the Building Official requestfng
investfgatfon of any applicable building or structure suspected of neglect or deterioratfon. The Building
Official will proceed with investfgatfon and may take any enforcement actfon necessary to correct or
prevent further violatfon. Failure to comply with the stated correctfve actfon may result in penaltfes
and/or legal actfon.
7.1 Demolition of Whole Structures or Significant Features
Demolitfon involves the complete removal of a building or a portfon of a building. Removal of dormers,
decoratfve trim, porches, balusters, chimneys and other significant features requires a permit for
demolitfon, and therefore historic review. The Historic Preservatfon Commission will act to ensure the
preventfon of demolitfon by neglect and to ensure historically appropriate steps are taken during the
remediatfon of dangerous conditfons.
Designing replacement garages to be com-
patfble in design with the primary structure
and/or other outbuildings in the neighbor-
hood. See 6.0 Guidelines for New Construc-
tion.
Disallowed:
Demolishing any primary building on a con-
tributfng property within a conservatfon or
historic district, or any Iowa City Historic
Landmark.
Removing any historic architectural feature,
such as a porch, chimney, bay window, dor-
mer, brackets or decoratfve trim, that is sig-
nificant to the architectural character and
style of the building.
Not Recommended:
Removing significant historic site features on
the property such as brick driveways and
iron fences.
A Certfficate of Appropriateness for the demolitfon of any primary building on a contributfng property with-
in a conservatfon or historic district, or any landmark, will be denied unless the applicant can demonstrate
that the building is structurally unsound and irretrievable. A decision to approve a Certfficate of Appropri-
ateness for the demolitfon of outbuildings on contributfng and noncontributfng propertfes, and primary
buildings on noncontributfng and non-historic propertfes, will be made on a case-by-case basis. For these
cases, the Commission will consider the conditfon, integrity and architectural significance of the outbuild-
ing or noncontributfng building.
A Certfficate of Appropriateness is also required for the removal of any portfon of a building, such as a
porch, porch balustrade, decoratfve brackets and trim, dormers, chimney or other architecturally signifi-
cant components on any structure within a district, or on any landmark.
Before a Certfficate of Appropriateness for demolitfon will be approved for a primary building, the Iowa
City Historic Preservatfon Commission must approve a Certfficate of Appropriateness for the building that
will replace the one being demolished. These projects will also be evaluated using 6.0 Guidelines for New
Construction and 8.0 Neighborhood District Guidelines
7.2 Prevention of Demolition by Neglect
51
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook 8.0 Neighborhood District Guidelines The Longfellow Neighborhood District Guidelines apply to the Summit Street Historic District,
Longfellow Historic District (including the Moffitt Cottage Natfonal Register Historic District), Governor-
Lucas Street Conservatfon District, Clark Street Conservatfon District, and Dearborn Street Conservatfon
District. They apply to single-family, duplex and multf-family buildings in these neighborhood districts.
Proposed new multf-family buildings must also comply with 9.0 Design Guidelines for Multi-Family
Buildings.
Site and Scale Guidelines
Setback, Front
On Summit Street only: The rear wall of the
primary structures must not extend deeper
than 125 feet from the front street. This
restrictfon preserves the openness of the rear
yards.
Building Facade
The total surface area of the street elevatfon of
a new primary building must be no more than
800 square feet. Existfng primary structures
must not be expanded in such a manner that
the total surface area exceeds 800 square feet.
For the purposes of enforcing this guideline,
the total surface area of the street elevatfon is
defined as a figure derived by calculatfng the surface area of all wall and roof surfaces, including
window and door openings that are visible in a measured drawing of the building’s street elevatfon.
On Governor, Bowery, and Court Streets only: The total surface area of the street elevatfon must be no
more than 1200 square feet for a new primary building or for an existfng building including a new
additfon.
On Summit Street only: The total surface area of the street elevatfon must be no more than 1500 square
feet for a new primary building or for an existfng building including a new additfon, and no more than
750 square feet for a new outbuilding.
In the Moffitt Cottage National Register Historic District only: The surface area of the street elevatfon
must be no more than 450 square feet for a new primary building or an existfng building including a
new additfon.
Outbuildings
In the Summit Street Historic District only: Attached garages are not allowed. Garages must be located
at the rear of the property wherever possible.
(Continued on page 52)
8.0 Neighborhood District Guidelines
8.1 Longfellow Neighborhood
The size of a primary building on a site, the size of the yard, as well as the architectural character of the
building are defining characteristfcs of historic and conservatfon districts, and vary according to the
neighborhood. This sectfon deals specifically with site, scale, structure locatfon, and architectural style
standards unique to propertfes within certain Iowa City neighborhoods.
Proposed projects on buildings within a neighborhood listed in this sectfon must meet the respectfve
Neighborhood District Guidelines in addition to the other applicable standards of the Iowa City
Preservation Handbook. The provisions of this sectfon will supersede provisions found elsewhere in the
handbook if the provisions conflict.
Longfellow
Historic District
Summit StreetHistoric DistrictGovernor-Lucas StreetConservation DistrictClark StreetConservation DistrictDearborn StreetConservation District
52 8.0 Neighborhood District Guidelines Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
Architectural Guidelines for New Primary Structures
Building Styles
Architectural style is a defining characteristfc for historic and conservatfon districts. A new primary
structure must reflect the historic styles of its neighborhood. Although new constructfon may adapt and
mix some elements of different styles, a single style must dictate the height and mass, rooflines,
fenestratfon, and overhangs for the new building. Please refer to sectfon 12.0 Residential Architectural
Styles of Iowa City for examples of historic building styles. The architectural styles represented in each
district are given below.
In the Summit Street Historic District only: A new building must reflect the Italianate, Queen Anne, Colonial
Revival, American Foursquare, Prairie School, Vernacular, or Eclectic style.
In the Longfellow Historic District only: A new building must reflect the Queen Anne, Colonial Revival,
Craftsman, Craftsman Bungalow, American Foursquare, Prairie School, Period Revival Cottage, Vernacular,
or Eclectic style.
In the Governor-Lucas Street Conservation District only: A new building on Governor Street must reflect the
Italianate, Queen Anne, American Foursquare, or Vernacular style. A new building on Lucas Street must
reflect the Queen Anne, Craftsman, Craftsman Bungalow, American Foursquare, Prairie School, or
Vernacular style.
In the Clark Street Conservation District only: A new building must reflect the Queen Anne, Colonial Revival,
Craftsman, Craftsman Bungalow, American Foursquare, Vernacular, or Eclectic style.
In the Dearborn Street Conservation District only: A new building must reflect the Craftsman, Craftsman
Bungalow, American Foursquare, Vernacular, or Eclectic style.
In the Moffitt Cottage National Register Historic District only: A new building must reflect the Period Revival
Cottage style.
Building Height and Mass
New structures must be one, one-and-a-half, or two stories in height except as noted below.
In the Summit Street Historic District only: New single-family houses must have two full stories in the
principal portfon of the building.
In the Moffitt Cottage National Register Historic District only: New single-family houses must be one story
in height.
Porches
In the Moffitt Cottage National Register Historic District only: Traditfonal front porches were not used in
this district and are not permitted
Exception
In order to provide flexibility for certain changes and certain propertfes, the Commission has documented a
number of exceptfons to the Iowa City Guidelines. Projects requiring the exceptfons corresponding to the
property type listed below may be approved by the Preservatfon Planner or Preservatfon Planner and
Chair. Projects requiring exceptfons to the guidelines that are not listed may be considered by the full
Commission under major review. The Commission is afforded flexibility when reviewing applicatfons in
order to arrive at historically and architecturally appropriate solutfons in cases where a proposed
constructfon project does not significantly affect the architectural character of a historic structure.
In deciding on a project requiring an exceptfon to the guidelines, the Commission may find guidance in the
additfonal guidelines, outlined in sectfon 3.2. When approving a project requiring an exceptfon, the
Commission shall identffy the guideline(s) for which the exceptfon is being made, and the ratfonale for the
exceptfon.
For more informatfon on exceptfons to the Iowa City Guidelines, please refer to sectfon 3.2.
53
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook 8.0 Neighborhood District Guidelines The College Hill Neighborhood District Guidelines apply to the College Green Historic District, East
College Street Historic District, and the College Hill Conservatfon District. They apply to single-family,
duplex and multf-family buildings in these neighborhood districts. Proposed new multf-family buildings
must also comply with 9.0 Design Guidelines for Multi-Family Buildings.
Site and Scale Guidelines
Building Facade
The total surface area of the street elevatfon of
a new primary structure must be no more than
1200 square feet. Existfng primary structures
that were historically single-family houses must
not be expanded in such a manner that the
total surface area exceeds 1200 square feet.
For the purposes of enforcing this guideline,
the total surface area of the street elevatfon is
defined as a figure derived by calculatfng the
surface area of all wall and roof surfaces,
including window and door openings that are visible in a measured drawing of the building’s street
elevatfon.
Architectural Guidelines for New Primary Structures
Building Styles
Architectural style is a defining characteristfc for historic and conservatfon districts. A new primary
structure must reflect the historic styles of its neighborhood. Although new constructfon may adapt and
mix some elements of different styles, a single style should dictate the height and mass, rooflines,
fenestratfon, and overhangs for the new building. Please refer to sectfon 12.0 Residential Architectural
Styles of Iowa City for examples of historic building styles.
In the College Hill Neighborhood: A new building must reflect the Italianate, Queen Anne, Colonial
Revival, Craftsman, American Foursquare, Prairie School, Period Revival House, Vernacular or Eclectic
style.
Building Height and Mass
New single-family houses or duplexes must be one-and-a-half, or two stories in height, except as noted
below. New multf-family structures must be compatfble in height and mass with the surrounding
neighborhood.
On College Street only: New structures must be two stories in height.
Exception
In order to provide flexibility for certain changes and certain propertfes, the Commission has
documented a number of exceptfons to the Iowa City Guidelines. Projects requiring the exceptfons
corresponding to the property type listed below may be approved by the Preservatfon Planner or
Preservatfon Planner and Chair. Projects requiring exceptfons to the guidelines that are not listed may
be considered by the full Commission under major review. The Commission is afforded flexibility when
reviewing applicatfons in order to arrive at historically and architecturally appropriate solutfons in cases
where a proposed constructfon project does not significantly affect the architectural character of a
historic structure.
In deciding on a project requiring an exceptfon to the guidelines, the Commission may find guidance in
the additfonal guidelines, outlined in sectfon 3.2. When approving a project requiring an exceptfon, the
Commission shall identffy the guideline(s) for which the exceptfon is being made, and the ratfonale for
the exceptfon.
For more informatfon on exceptfons to the Iowa City Guidelines, please refer to sectfon 3.2.
8.2 College Hill Neighborhood
College Green
Historic District
East College StreetHistoric District
College Hill
Conservation District
54 8.0 Neighborhood District Guidelines Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
These guidelines apply to single-family, duplex and multf-family buildings in the Woodlawn Historic District.
Proposed new multf-family buildings must also comply with 9.0 Design Guidelines for Multi-Family
Buildings.
Site and Scale Guidelines
Due to the unique site characteristfcs of this district,
standard Site and Scale Guidelines are difficult to apply.
Therefore, the Historic Preservatfon Commission will use
sectfon 10.0 The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for
Rehabilitation for these guidelines.
Architectural Guidelines for New Primary Structures
Building Styles
Although it is unlikely that a new primary structure will be
constructed in the Woodlawn Historic District, in the event
that this should happen, projects will be evaluated using
sectfon 10.0 The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for
Rehabilitation. Please refer to sectfon 12.0 Residential
Architectural Styles of Iowa City for examples of historic
building styles.
In the Woodlawn Historic District: A new building must
reflect the Gothic Revival, Italianate, Queen Anne, Stick/
Eastlake, Tudor Revival or Eclectic style.
Exception
In order to provide flexibility for certain changes and certain propertfes, the Commission has documented a
number of exceptfons to the Iowa City Guidelines. Projects requiring the exceptfons corresponding to the
property type listed below may be approved by the Preservatfon Planner or Preservatfon Planner and
Chair. Projects requiring exceptfons to the guidelines that are not listed may be considered by the full
Commission under major review. The Commission is afforded flexibility when reviewing applicatfons in
order to arrive at historically and architecturally appropriate solutfons in cases where a proposed
constructfon project does not significantly affect the architectural character of a historic structure.
In deciding on a project requiring an exceptfon to the guidelines, the Commission may find guidance in the
additfonal guidelines, outlined in sectfon 3.2. When approving a project requiring an exceptfon, the
Commission shall identffy the guideline(s) for which the exceptfon is being made, and the ratfonale for the
exceptfon.
For more informatfon on exceptfons to the Iowa City Guidelines, please refer to sectfon 3.2.
8.3 Woodlawn Historic District
Woodlawn
Historic Distrct
55
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook 8.0 Neighborhood District Guidelines The Northside Neighborhood District Guidelines apply to the Brown Street Historic District, Northside
Historic District, Goosetown/ Horace Mann Conservatfon District, and the Jefferson Street Historic
District. They apply to single-family, duplex and multf-family buildings in these neighborhood districts.
Proposed new multf-family buildings must also comply with 9.0 Design Guidelines for Multi-Family
Buildings.
Site and Scale Guidelines
Building Facade
The total surface area of the street elevatfon of a new
primary structure must be no more than 1200 square
feet. Existfng primary structures that were historically
single-family houses must not be expanded in such a
manner that the total surface area exceeds 1200
square feet. For the purposes of enforcing this
guideline, the total surface area of the street elevatfon
is defined as a figure derived by calculatfng the surface
area of all wall and roof surfaces, including window and
door openings that are visible in a measured drawing of
the building’s street elevatfon.
On Bella Vista Drive only: Due to the unique site
characteristfcs of this area, standard Site and Scale
Guidelines are difficult to apply. Therefore, the Historic
Preservatfon Commission will use sectfon 10.0 The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for
Rehabilitation for these guidelines.
Architectural Guidelines for New Primary Structures
Building Styles
Architectural style is a defining characteristfc for historic and conservatfon districts. A new primary
structure must reflect the historic styles of its neighborhood. Although new constructfon may adapt and
mix some elements of different styles, a single style should dictate the height and mass, rooflines,
fenestratfon, and overhangs for the new building. Please refer to sectfon 12.0 Residential Architectural
Styles of Iowa City for examples of historic building styles.
In the Northside Neighborhood: A new building must reflect the Greek Revival, Italianate, Queen Anne,
Colonial Revival, Craftsman, American Foursquare, Prairie School, Vernacular, or Eclectic style.
Building Height and Mass
New structures must be one-and-a-half or two stories in height.
Exception
In order to provide flexibility for certain changes and certain propertfes, the Commission has
documented a number of exceptfons to the Iowa City Guidelines. Projects requiring the exceptfons
corresponding to the property type listed below may be approved by the Preservatfon Planner or
Preservatfon Planner and Chair. Projects requiring exceptfons to the guidelines that are not listed may
be considered by the full Commission under major review. The Commission is afforded flexibility when
reviewing applicatfons in order to arrive at historically and architecturally appropriate solutfons in cases
where a proposed constructfon project does not significantly affect the architectural character of a
historic structure.
In deciding on a project requiring an exceptfon to the guidelines, the Commission may find guidance in
the additfonal guidelines, outlined in sectfon 3.2. When approving a project requiring an exceptfon, the
Commission shall identffy the guideline(s) for which the exceptfon is being made, and the ratfonale for
the exceptfon.
For more informatfon on exceptfons to the Iowa City Guidelines, please refer to sectfon 3.2.
8.4 Northside Neighborhood
569.0 Design Guidelines for Multf-Family Buildings Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
Building Access, Entrances and Orientation
Buildings must have at least one door on the exterior of the building that provides pedestrian access to
dwelling units within the building. A pedestrian circulatfon system must be provided that connects
residentfal entrances to adjacent public rights-of-way, and to parking areas and other on-site facilitfes.
Guidelines for disability access can be found in 5.2 Ramps and Decks.
The “front” of the building must have at least one main entrance to the building, or may contain separate
main entrances to the ground level dwelling units. Main entrances to a building require certain
architectural treatments which emphasize the entrance. These can be found in 9.2 Architectural Elements.
Orientatfon of the “front” of the building must be to the street or interior courtyard in a manner similar to
existfng buildings in the neighborhood
Lighting
All exterior lightfng, including balcony and porch lightfng, must be carefully placed, downcast and shielded
so that entrances, sidewalks and stairways are well lit, but the lightfng is non-obtrusive to neighboring
propertfes. No exterior light source should be located on poles more than 15 feet high. When lights
mounted on buildings are intended to provide site lightfng rather than corridor or exit lightfng, they must
be mounted no higher than 15 feet. For requirements on the use of lightfng to highlight architectural
elements, see 9.2 Architectural Elements.
Parking and Garages
Parking lots, including detached garages and carports, must not be located between the principle building
and the street. Parking must be located behind a building, below grade, or under a building. On corner lots
parking may be located alongside the building, but not within a required front or side yard and no closer
than 20 feet to the sidewalk. Landscaped screening consistfng of densely planted evergreen shrubs, a
hedge, a combinatfon of evergreen and deciduous shrubs, or a decoratfve masonry wall in combinatfon
with landscaping must be used to screen the parking from the street and adjacent propertfes.
Where parking is located below a building, any exposed portfons of the exterior walls of the parking area
visible from a street must appear to be a component of the facade of the building. The use of similar
building materials, window openings, and providing facade detailing similar to the upper levels are
examples of how this can be achieved. In no case shall a building have the appearance from the street of
being elevated above a parking level, or “on stflts.”
When parking is provided within the primary structure, garage doors should not be located on any side of a
building facing a street. When located on a side wall or on a rear wall on a corner lot, landscaping, masonry
walls, or elements of the building should be used to help screen the garage doors from view from the
street.
Setback, Front
(Continued on page 57)
9.0 Design Guidelines for Multi-Family Buildings
9.1 Site Elements
Compliance with 14-2B-6 Multf-Family Site Development Standards of the Iowa City Zoning Code must be
demonstrated prior to the issuance of a Certfficate of Appropriateness. The standards of this sectfon will
be administered by the Historic Preservatfon Commission concurrently with review of the proposed
development as defined in 14-2B-6 Multf-Family Site Development Standards. The provisions of this
sectfon will supersede the provisions of 14-2B-6 Multf-Family Site Development Standards if the provisions
conflict. New structures must also meet the provisions of 8.0 Neighborhood District Guidelines. Please be
advised building permit requirements are unique for multf-family structures. Please contact the Building
Department at 356-5120 before beginning work to inquire about your property.
AcceptableUnacceptable
S2 screening
S2 screening
Acceptable Acceptable
Location of surface parking for properties with a single building
57
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook 9.0 Design Guidelines for Multf-Family Buildings Architectural Details
The building should include architectural details to add interest to building elevatfons visible from the
public street, including but not limited to the following: Quoins, dentfls, cornice moldings, brackets,
arches, corner boards, keystones, decoratfve lintels and sills, double-hung windows, soldier courses,
belt courses, bay windows, and other decoratfve features as appropriate for the design of the overall
building and materials being used. The use of these elements must be reviewed in the context of the
overall building design and the character of the historic district, and not simply based on the provision
of these architectural details.
Architectural Style
The purpose of requiring an architectural style is to ensure that the mass, roof form, window style and
configuratfon, and the basic architectural details of a building are generally compatfble with the historic
character of the historic or conservatfon district. New buildings should appear similar to a large house
or a small historic apartment building.
Any building elevatfon that is within public view (visible from a public street, public sidewalk, public
access easement, or other public way, or from a public park or other public open space area.), must be
designed in a manner that is consistent with a historic architectural style typical of residentfal buildings
in the historic and conservatfon districts. However, building facades that are visible only from public
alleys are not subject to these standards. The applicable architectural styles are outlined in 8.0
Neighborhood District Guidelines, and include: Italianate; Queen Anne; Colonial
Revival; Craftsman; Craftsman Bungalow; American Foursquare; Prairie School;
Period Revival; and Eclectfc. The applicant must indicate in detail how each of the
following architectural elements in the proposed building are consistent with one of
these architectural styles as described in 12.0 Residential Architectural Styles of Iowa
City:
1.Form and mass of the building;
2.Roof configuratfon and pitch;
3.Style and placement of windows and doors;
4.Window and door trim, eave boards, frieze boards, and other trim;
5.Porch and entrance features;
6.Building details and ornamentatfon.
Alternatfve designs that have been prepared by a licensed architect may be
acceptable and will be reviewed on a case-by case basis.
(Continued on page 58)
9.2 Architectural Elements
Acceptable UnacceptableAcceptable
Location of surface parking for properties with multiple buildings
Frieze board
Corner board
Window trim
Masonry
base
Building Materials
The front yard setback must comply with the setback requirements established within the appropriate
individual district guidelines. If no setback requirement is established within the district guidelines, the
following standard must apply. The front setback for new buildings must not deviate more than 5 feet
from the average setback of existfng principal buildings along the same frontage. Alternatfvely, for
frontages that contain more than six lots, the average may be calculated based on the principal building
setbacks on the four closest lots along the same frontage to the lot containing the new building.
However, in no instance shall a new building may not be located closer to the street than the existfng
principal building that is closest to the street along the same frontage.
589.0 Design Guidelines for Multf-Family Buildings Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
Balconies, Decks, Exterior Stairways, Corridors Lifts and Ramps
Balconies, decks, exterior stairways, corridors, lifts and ramps should be designed so that they are
integrated into the overall design of the building. Methods of integratfng these elements into the building
design may include, but are not limited to, fully or partfally recessing them into the facade of the building,
placing them under a roof that is integrated into the overall roof plan, utflizing supports that are
compatfble with the rest of the building in terms of materials and design, and utflizing supports that reach
to the ground rather than append on the exterior of the building.
For purposes of this subsectfon the term, “exterior stairways,” refers to stairways that lead to floors of a
building that are above the first or ground-level floor of a building. “Exterior corridors refers to unenclosed
corridors located above the first or ground-level floor of a building. Balconies and exterior stairways,
exterior corridors and exterior lifts must comply with the following standards:
1.Exterior stairways, exterior lifts and exterior corridors must be covered with a roof similar in design and
materials to the roof over the rest of the structure. Said roof should be incorporated into the overall
roof plan of the structure. Alternatfvely, such features may be recessed into the façade of the building.
Exterior corridors may not be located on a street-facing wall of the building or within 20 feet of a street
-facing wall.
2.Unenclosed or partfally enclosed stairways may not be used as the primary means of access to dwelling
units located above the ground-level floor of the building (see 14-2B-6D-6 of the Iowa City Zoning
Code).
3.Balconies, exterior stairways, exterior lifts and exterior corridors may not be located on any side of a
building that is adjacent to a property that is zoned Single Family Residentfal or that contains an
existfng Single Family Use. Buildings that are set back at least 40 feet from any such property are
exempt from this standard.
4.The design of any balcony, exterior stairway, exterior lift or exterior corridor must utflize columns,
piers, supports, walls, and railings that are designed and constructed of materials that are similar or
complementary to the design and materials used for the rest of the building.
5.Decks and ramps should be designed according to the guidelines set out in sectfon 5.2 Decks
and Ramps.
Unacceptable Acceptable Acceptable
Balconies and exterior corridors
Building Height and Mass
Measures should be incorporated into the design of a new building that help to reduce its “visual mass”
and overall height. In historic and conservatfon districts the width of the front façade of new buildings
must not exceed 40 feet unless the horizontal plane of any street-facing façade of the building is broken
into modules that give the appearance of smaller, individual buildings. Each module must meet the
following standards:
1.Each module must be no greater than 30 feet and no less than 10 feet in width and must be
distfnguished from adjacent modules by a variatfon in the wall plane of at least 16 inches in depth. For
buildings that are 3 or more stories in height, the width of the module may be increased to 40 feet.
2.Each module must have a corresponding change in the roofline.
3.Each module must be distfnguished from the adjacent module by at least one of the following means:
a)Variatfon in Material colors, types or textures;
b)Variatfon in the building and/or parapet height;
(Continued on page 59)
59
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook 9.0 Design Guidelines for Multf-Family Buildings Lights intended to architecturally highlight a building or its features must use a limited pattern of light
that does not extend beyond the wall of the building.
Roofline
(Continued on page 60)
windows, pilasters and pediment, or other significant architectural treatments that emphasize main
entrances.
Lighting
c)Variatfon in the architectural details such as decoratfve banding, reveals, stone, or tfle accents;
d)Variatfon in window pattern.
e)Variatfon in the use of balconies and recesses.
Entrances
Main entrances to a building, including main entrances to ground level individual dwelling units must be
clearly demarcated by one of the following means: covered porch or canopy, transom and sidelight
b. Transom &
sidelight windows
a. Canopy a. Porch c. Pilasters &
pediment
Main entrance features
Unacceptable Acceptable
Acceptable Acceptable
Building articulation
Module Module
New MF Building Existing
ModuleModule
Existing
Building modules that break up the horizontal plane
60 9.0 Design Guidelines for Multf-Family Buildings Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
Rooflines should reflect the predominant roof type, orientatfon, scale and pitch of existfng buildings within
the neighborhood.
Windows/Fenestration
The placement of windows and doors on street elevatfons should be consistent with the window and door
patterns found on other propertfes in the surrounding neighborhood, and of a similar size, scale and
proportfon to the windows of other buildings in the neighborhood. Individual window units that are
located in primary living spaces, such as living rooms, dining areas, and bedrooms, must have a height that
is at least 1.5 tfmes greater than the width of the window unit. Individual window units may be located
side-by-side in a wider window opening. Bathroom, kitchen, skylights, and decoratfve windows, such as
stained-glass and ocular windows, are not required to meet this standard. The use of trim and moldings
must be similar in width and character to surrounding buildings.
width
1.5 X widthWindow proportions
61
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook 10.0 The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitatfon The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation (Standards) were originally written to
determine the appropriateness of proposed project work on propertfes that were listed on the Natfonal
Register of Historic Places. The Standards are accompanied by instructfons concerning methods,
materials, historical character, and other consideratfons that relate to the historical significance of the
partfcular property and its surroundings. The Standards have been widely accepted by state, county,
and city governments.
The Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Commission uses the Standards to determine the appropriateness
of exterior changes to historic landmarks and propertfes located in historic and conservatfon districts.
The Iowa City Guidelines are based on and comply with the Standards, and were written to provide
more specific guidance for owners, contractors and consultants in Iowa City as well as the Historic
Preservatfon Commission.
The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation (1990) are listed below.
1. A property shall be used for its historic purpose or be placed in a new use that requires minimal
change to the defining characteristfcs of the building and its site and environment.
2. The historic character of a property shall be retained and preserved. The removal of historic
materials or alteratfon of features and spaces that characterize a property shall be avoided.
3. Each property shall be recognized as a physical record of its tfme, place, and use. Changes that
create a false sense of historical development, such as adding conjectural features or architectural
elements from other buildings, shall not be undertaken.
4. Most propertfes change over tfme; those changes that have acquired historic significance in their
own right shall be retained and preserved.
5. Distfnctfve features, finishes, and constructfon techniques or examples of craftsmanship that
characterize a property shall be preserved.
6. Deteriorated historic features shall be repaired rather than replaced. Where the severity of
deterioratfon requires replacement of a distfnctfve feature, the new feature shall match the old in
design, color, texture, and other visual qualitfes and, where possible, materials. Replacement of
missing features shall be substantfated by documentary, physical, or pictorial evidence.
7. Chemical or physical treatments, such as sandblastfng, that cause damage to historic materials shall
not be used. The surface cleaning of structures, if appropriate, shall be undertaken using the
gentlest means possible.
8. Significant archeological resources affected by a project shall be protected and preserved. If such
resources must be disturbed, mitfgatfon measures shall be undertaken.
9. New additfons, exterior alteratfons, or related new constructfon shall not destroy historic materials
that characterize the property. The new work shall be differentfated from the old and shall be
compatfble with the massing, size, scale, and architectural features to protect the historic integrity
of the property and its environment.
10. New additfons and adjacent or related new constructfon shall be undertaken in such a manner that
if removed in the future, the essentfal form and integrity of the historic property and its
environment would be unimpaired.
10.0 The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation
62 11.0 Title 14: Iowa City Zoning Code Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
The Iowa City Zoning Code is a document to ensure proper implementatfon of the Comprehensive Plan for
the city of Iowa City. All development, including work on historic structures, must comply with the rules
and regulatfons set out in the Zoning Code. Certain procedures, standards, regulatfons, guidelines,
incentfves, definitfons, and noncompliance violatfons exist for historic preservatfon. The sectfons of the
Zoning Code below detail the preponderance of administratfve procedures and rules which relate to
projects involving historic structures. The Zoning Code may be found at http://www.icgov.org/zoning, or
may be viewed or purchased from the Department of Planning and Community Development.
Multi-Family Site Development Standards
Chapter 2, Artfcle B, Sectfon 6 of the Iowa City Zoning Code deals with the requirements of multf-family
structures and the requisite parking and driveway requirements, architectural styling, building materials
and minor modificatfons to existfng structures.
Historic District Overlay Zone
Chapter 3, Artfcle B, Sectfon 1 of the Iowa City Zoning Code discusses the purpose of an overlay zone,
defines an overlay zone as well as a historic district, provides maps of Iowa City historic districts and lists
designated local historic landmarks.
Conservation District Overlay Zone
Chapter 3, Artfcle B, Sectfon 2 of the Iowa City Zoning Code discusses the purpose of an overlay zone,
defines an overlay zone as well as a conservatfon district, and provides maps of Iowa City conservatfon
districts.
Historic Review
Chapter 3, Artfcle B, Sectfon 3 of the Iowa City Zoning Code discusses the purpose of the historic review,
when a historic review is required, the applicatfon process, and appealing historic review decisions.
Certificate of Economic Hardship
Chapter 3, Artfcle B, Sectfon 4 of the Iowa City Zoning Code discusses the preconditfons for applicatfon of a
Certfficate of Economic Hardship and the approval criteria.
Compliance with Certificate Required
Chapter 3, Artfcle B, Sectfon 5 of the Iowa City Zoning Code discusses violatfons of work authorized by
permits and penaltfes for violatfng the parameters of work authorized.
Remedy of Dangerous Conditions
Chapter 3, Artfcle B, Sectfon 6 of the Iowa City Zoning Code grants the Historic Preservatfon Committee a
chance to provide input into the remedy of historic structures deemed to be dangerous to life, health, or
property.
Prevention of Demolition by Neglect
Chapter 3, Artfcle B, Sectfon 7 of the Iowa City Zoning Code mandates property owners maintain buildings
against deterioratfon, decay, structural defects and provides for penaltfes in the case of violatfon.
Historic Preservation Commission
Chapter 7, Artfcle A, Sectfon 3 of the Iowa City Zoning Code determines the makeup of the membership
of the Historic Preservatfon Commission. It further elaborates the purpose, powers and dutfes of the
Commission, and provides for the establishment of the Design Review Subcommittee.
11.0 Title 14: Iowa City Zoning Code
11.1 Chapter 2, Article B – Multi-Family Residential Zones
11.2 Chapter 3, Article B – Historic District and Conservation District Overlay
11.3 Chapter 7, Article A – Boards and Commissions
63
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook 11.0 Title 14: Iowa City Zoning Code Designation of Historic Districts, Conservation Districts, and Local Historic Landmarks
Chapter 8, Artfcle E, Sectfon 1 of the Iowa City Zoning Code discusses the procedures for designatfon of
historic districts, conservatfon districts, and local historic landmarks including applicatfon requirements
and provisions for public hearings.
Historic Review
Chapter 8, Artfcle E, Sectfon 2 of the Iowa City Zoning Code discusses the applicatfon requirements for a
Historic Review, the various levels of review, and the approval and appeals procedure.
Certificate of Economic Hardship
Chapter 8, Artfcle E, Sectfon 3 of the Iowa City Zoning Code discusses the circumstances which qualify
for a Certfficate of Economic Hardship, the applicatfon requirements and the approval procedure.
11.4 Chapter 8, Article E – Historic Preservation Commission Approval Procedures
This sectfon of the code provides definitfons to terms used throughout the code and which refer to
historic preservatfon.
11.5 Chapter 9, Article B – Historic Preservation Definitions
64 12.0 Residentfal Architectural Styles of Iowa City Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
The American Foursquare style is typified by its cubical
mass and hipped roof. Roof pitches vary from 6/12 to
10/12. Often, the roof pitch at the eave will be less
than the pitch of the main roof forming a “sweep” at
the roof edge. Overhangs are often 24 inches or more
with boxed-in soffits and a wide frieze board.
Foursquare houses have hipped, wide attic dormers on
one or more sides. Windows tend to have wider
proportfons than other styles, but they are stfll taller
than they are wide. Although not always strictly
symmetrical, the front facade is very regular.
Ornamentatfon is typically simple and is usually
expressed in the design of the porch. There may be
two types of siding used, similar to a Craftsman house.
Foursquare porches typically extend the entfre width
of the front facade and have a low-pitched hip roof.
The porch may have two or three large, square
columns on masonry piers to support the roof. Other
Foursquare porches have Classic Revival style details
with round tapered columns. The porch railing may be
constructed of solid panels, rails with square spindles,
or a solid wall covered with the siding material.
The American Foursquare originated as a design for
single family residences with four rooms on each of
two floors. However, it may be adapted for multf-
family buildings. The square plan may be elongated or
designed as two attached houses to form a duplex.
12.0 Residential Architectural Styles of Iowa City
12.1 American Foursquare
The following is a guide to the most typical architectural styles found in Iowa City’s historic and
conservatfon districts. Building styles are characterized by the mass and proportfons of the building, the
style and placement of windows and doors (fenestratfon), and style of trim and other ornamentatfon. New
constructfon in historic and conservatfon districts should reflect the size, proportfons, fenestratfon, trim,
and other ornamentatfon of a building style typical of that district. These guidelines will be used in
evaluatfng new single-family houses and multf-family buildings.
Typical American Foursquare house
Foursquare duplex
Large Foursquare house with Classic Revival details
65
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook 12.0 Residentfal Architectural Styles of Iowa City Buildings designed in the Colonial Revival style are
distfnctfve for the formal, often symmetrical
arrangement of the facade and plan. The plan is
typically rectangular, though it may have rear or side
wings. The simple side-gable roof has a pitch between
8/12 and 12/12 and frequently has small dormers that
are symmetrically placed. Dutch Colonial Revival style
houses have a gambrel roof with shed dormers at the
front and rear of the house. Colonial Revival buildings
have boxed eaves and they have a wide frieze board
beneath the eave. More elaborate buildings will also
have dentfls at the frieze. Ornamentatfon is limited to
simple classical columns at the porch and shutters. The
width of the two shutters at a window should equal
the width of the window opening to give the
appearance that they are operable.
Colonial Revival porches are small portfcos. The facade
is arranged symmetrically with the portfco and
entrance door at the center. However, large multf-
family buildings may have a two-story porch. The
porch roof is a simple gable supported by round
classical columns. The columns should taper and each
column should have a capital and base. Some Colonial
Revival buildings have no porches, but will at least
have an ornamental door surround with pilasters at
the entry.
Single-family houses are 1-1/2 stories to 2-1/2 stories
in height. Multf-family buildings may be up to 3-1/2
stories.
12.2 Colonial Revival
Modest 1 1/2 story Colonial Revival house
Dutch Colonial Revival house
Multi-family Colonial Revival building
66 12.0 Residentfal Architectural Styles of Iowa City Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
In Iowa City, Craftsman style houses are two stories
with a simple rectangular floor plan. Roof pitches are
low, and range from 5/12 to 8/12 with 18 to 24 inch
overhangs. The soffits are open, leaving the rafter tails
exposed. The siding material often changes between
the first and second story. A wide band board or brick
soldier course will delineate the change in materials. A
water table and band board is located at the top of the
foundatfon wall. Other ornamentatfon is relatfvely sim-
ple, with square wood brackets, upper sash divided
lights, and square porch columns.
Craftsman porches may be small and only wide
enough to provide a covered entry, or they may be the
full width of the house. Porch railings are typically
wood panels, solid with siding on either side or brick,
or they may have rails with square spindles. Porch or-
namentatfon is similar to that on the main house.
The Craftsman style has also been used for apartment
buildings, though there are few examples of such
building in Iowa City. Craftsman apartment buildings
are typically 3-4 stories and have a symmetrical plan.
They may be U-shaped or the entry may be centrally
located and flanked by vertfcal bays. Apartment build-
ings are usually all brick, or brick and stucco.
12.3 Craftsman
Front-gabled Craftsman house with wall shingles
Side-gabled Craftsman house
Large Craftsman house
67
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook 12.0 Residentfal Architectural Styles of Iowa City Bungalows are a subset of the Craftsman style.
Although the two styles display similar materials and
ornamentatfon, Bungalows are only one or 1-1/2
stories in height. The massing may be quite simple
with a rectangular plan, or more complex with wall
projects, bays and dormers. Like the Craftsman house,
they have square columns, brackets, open eaves and a
lower roof pitch.
There also tend to be more variatfons of the Bungalow
porch. The porch roof will often be integrated with the
main roof and may extend the entfre width of the
facade.
Bungalows are used for single-family residences,
though they may be connected at the side walls to
form a duplex or series of townhouses.
12.4 Craftsman Bungalow
Simple Craftsman Bungalow
Side-gable brick Craftsman Bungalow
Front-gable duplex Craftsman Bungalow
6812.0 Residentfal Architectural Styles of Iowa City Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
12.5 Eclectic
Eclectfc houses are characterized by the inclusion of
two or more different styles in the same building.
Most frequently, these styles occurred during the
same tfme period, or the eclectfc house demonstrates
the transitfon between two styles. Architectural
characteristfcs of these houses may be influenced by
two or more of the styles described previously in this
sectfon. However, for new constructfon, it is best to
use only two styles in an Eclectfc building with one
style dominatfng.
House with Queen Anne and Foursquare influence
Duplex with Queen Anne and Foursquare influence
Cottage with Period Revival & Craftsman
influences
69
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook 12.0 Residentfal Architectural Styles of Iowa City The Greek Revival Style is directly inspired by classical
Greece architecture, such as the Parthenon. It is of
the most popular and long -lived styles in America
because it was thought to embody the ideals of
democracy.
A Greek Revival house ranges in appearance from a
windowed Greek temple to that of a simple Colonial
house with a massive columned porch over the front
door. Architects of Greek Revival copied the Greek
orders (columns including shafts, capitals,
entablatures, and/or bases decorated per a specific
classical order) and usually painted everything white
to replicate the white marble finish of a Greek
Temple. The windows are set back behind columns
because they conflict with the desirable look of the
Greek Temple.
As the Greek Revival style gained acceptance, it was
found that the easiest way of convertfng the basic
colonial house into a Greek temple was to turn the
gable end to the street and redesign the front
entrance into it. The gable was then made into an
impressive pediment which either remained flat or
was extended to rest on a row of columns.
Other characteristfcs of Greek Revival architecture
include white pilasters, wooden pilaster trim work to
simulate columns supportfng the pediment, delicately
detailed front doors, white painted cedar clapboards,
and a window in the pediment to light the attic.
Because chimneys were not part of the design of a
Greek temple, they were hidden as much as possible
on Greek Revival homes.
12.6 Greek Revival
House built with Greek Revival characteristics
Historic home demonstrating Greek Revival
influence
70 12.0 Residentfal Architectural Styles of Iowa City Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
The Italianate building style emphasizes vertfcality.
Often, Italianate buildings are two or three stories tall
with each story having a ceiling height of at least ten
feet. Plans are usually rectangular, T -shaped, or L-
shaped. Italianate roofs are most commonly gabled
with a hipped cornice return. The roof pitch is
between 6/12 and 8/12. Distfnctfve of this style is the
decoratfve cornice with intricate brackets beneath a
wide overhang. Windows are narrow and tall, and
first and second story windows are typically aligned
and evenly spaced. Italianate buildings often have
decoratfve bay windows and paired narrow windows
in lieu of a wider single window. Window and door
openings are often arched with decoratfve “hoods”
and sills.
Italianate porches are ornate, with chamfered square
columns and decoratfve balustrades. The balustrades
may have turned or square members placed
horizontally as well as vertfcally. A geometric pattern
may also be cut from flat one-inch boards to form the
balustrade. Italianate porches often have decoratfve
friezes composed of spindles just below the eaves.
Porches often extend the entfre width of the front
facade and may wrap around to the side.
12.7 Italianate
Simple rectangular Italianate house
Elaborate T-shaped Italianate house
Large Italianate building
71
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook 12.0 Residentfal Architectural Styles of Iowa City Historic European architecture, such as Cotswold
cottages, Tudor houses, French country houses, and
Renaissance manor houses, provide the precedent for
Period Revival cottages and houses. The architectural
characteristfcs of Period Revival buildings are based on
the architectural style emulated. The modest,
picturesque cottages of Howard Moffitt are most
evocatfve of English Cotswold cottages. Other
cottages, as well as fraternity houses, are commonly
based on English Tudor architecture.
Period Revival cottages tend to have irregular plans,
roof lines, and facades. Roof pitches vary from 8/12 to
16/12 or steeper. Houses with very steep gables are
more evocatfve of Tudor cottages. The Period Revival
style is distfnctfve more for the use of materials,
massing and roofline than applied ornament. The
cottages are usually 1-1/2 stories in height and the
roof may be gabled or hipped with small dormers
interruptfng the roofline. Most of the window
openings are small, and sometfmes arched and have
wood shutters that appear to be operable. They often
have a stone or brick chimney protruding from the
exterior wall.
Period Revival cottages typically do not have porches.
They have a brick or stone front stoop and a small
entry vestfbule. Some cottages may have a simple
bracketed canopy at the entry.
Fraternity and sorority houses were typically
constructed in the Period Revival style. Though
significantly larger than cottages, the architectural
characteristfcs of these houses are similar to those of
the cottages described above.
12.8 Period Revival Cottages and Houses
Tudor Revival cottage
Moffitt Cottage
Large Renaissance Revival sorority house
72 12.0 Residentfal Architectural Styles of Iowa City Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
12.9 Prairie School
Although historic buildings of the Prairie School style
are not typical in Iowa City, new buildings could be
constructed based on Prairie School designs. The Prai-
rie School developed in the Midwest with Frank Lloyd
Wright being its best known architect. In Iowa City, the
Prairie School style may be combined with the Ameri-
can Foursquare and Craftsman styles. Houses are char-
acterized by hip roofs with pitches of 8/12 or less, and
relatfvely simple rectangular massing. The eaves are
deep to provide protectfon from the sun. The entranc-
es may be located at the side of the house or porch.
Large piers, often at the porch, are also characteristfc
of this style.
Windows may be double-hung or casement. Common-
ly, multfple tall windows will be installed side-by-side
with a mullion between each window. Although sever-
al patterns of divided lights are possible, a typical di-
vided light pattern is nine lights with the muntfn bars
located only four to six inches from the sash. This cre-
ates a large center light with small square lights at the
corners. In the case of double-hung windows, only the
top sash will have divided lights.
Buildings influenced by the Prairie School are often
stucco or brick with wood or brick banding. If sided
with wood, wide board and batten siding is often used
in lieu of traditfonal clapboard. At the upper story win-
dow sills, there is frequently wood or brick banding
and a change of materials above the banding.
Although rare in Iowa City, apartment buildings influ-
enced by the Prairie School are constructed of brick,
stucco or a combinatfon of the two with ornamental
banding. The roofs may be flat or hipped as described
above. Entrances are often from a small courtyard.
Stucco Prairie School house with side entrance
Wood and Stucco Prairie School house
Stucco and brick Prairie School apartment building
73
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook 12.0 Residentfal Architectural Styles of Iowa City Queen Anne buildings range from the great “painted
ladies” to more modest homes of 1-1/2 stories. They
have an asymmetrical building footprint with
projectfons and intersectfng masses in the roofs and
walls. Roof pitches are at least 12/12 and roofs may be
hipped and/or gabled in a variety of combinatfons. The
gables are emphasized with decoratfve wood shingles
and ornate trim. Round turrets are common on the
most elaborate Queen Anne houses. Facades
frequently include a large picture window, slightly
taller than wide, surmounted by a fixed pane of
ornamental glass.
Queen Anne porches are ornate, with turned or round
columns, porch rails, and turned spindles in a variety
of patterns. Porches are large and gracious, often
wrapping around the house.
Multf-family buildings in the Queen Anne style may
appear as a large elaborate house or as a series of
simpler houses connected at the side walls to form a
duplex or series of townhouses.
12.10 Queen Anne
Modest 1 1/2 story Queen Anne house
Large elaborate Queen Anne house
Simple Queen Anne duplex
74 12.0 Residentfal Architectural Styles of Iowa City Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
Vernacular buildings tend to be relatfvely small in size,
reflectfng the modest means of their early occupants.
Their massing is often simple and they are one to two
stories in height. Many vernacular houses have no
ornamentatfon. Other houses have modest
ornamentatfon that is a simplified design of whatever
“high” style may have been popular at the tfme the
house was built. The high style may also influence the
massing, roof pitch, porch design and fenestratfon of
the vernacular house.
12.11 Vernacular
Vernacular house with Queen Anne influence
Stone and clapboard Vernacular house
Vernacular apartment building with Period Revival
influence
75
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook 12.0 Residentfal Architectural Styles of Iowa City
76 13.0 Historic Landmarks, Propertfes and Districts Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
13.0 Historic Landmarks, Properties, and Districts
*Historic review is only required for changes to propertfes listed as Iowa City landmarks or located within Historic
or Conservatfon Districts.
13.1 Historic Landmarks
Address Name Year
Built Style Iowa City
Landmark
National
Register
Historic/
Conservation
District
747 W. Benton St. Cyrus S. & Georginia
Ranck House
ca 1905 Late Queen
Anne
Aug-02 — —
518 Bowery St. Bowery Street Grocery 1856 Storefront Oct-12 Apr-14 —
228 Brown St. Arthur Hillyer Ford House 1908 Mission Revival — Apr-86 Brown Street H.D.
414 Brown St. Charles Berryhill House 1868 Italianate — May-79 Brown Street H.D.
529 Brown St. Bohumil Shimek House 1893 Queen Anne
Vernacular
— Dec-91 Brown Street H.D.
Capitol St. & Iowa
Ave.
Old Capitol 1842 Greek Revival — May-72 —
Capitol St. & Iowa
Ave.
Pentacrest 1902-24 Classic Revival — Mar-78 —
1030 Carroll St. Plum Grove 1844 Greek Revival — May-73 —
30 N. Clinton St. First Congregatfonal
Church
1869 Gothic Revival Sep-96 Jun-73 Jefferson Street H.D.
417 S. Clinton St. Johnson County
Courthouse
1901 Richardsonian
Romanesque
— Mar-75 —
125 E. College St. College Block Building 1883 Italianate Sep-96 Jul-73 —
307 E. College St. Carnegie Library 1903 Classic Revival Jul-01 — —
320 E. College St. Trinity Episcopal Church 1871 Gothic Revival Sep-96 Dec-74 —
906 E. College St. Thomas C. Carson House 1875 Second Empire Sep-96 Sep-82 College Green H.D.
935 E. College St. Linsay House 1893 Queen Anne Sep-96 Aug-77 College Hill C.D.
1142 E. Court St. Oakes-Wood House 1858 Italianate Sep-96 Apr-78 Longfellow H.D.
332 E. Davenport
St.
Emma J. Harvat House 1916 Classic Revival — May-00 Northside H.D.
515 E. Davenport
St.
Letovsky-Rohret House 1881 Greek Revival Sep-96 Apr-82 Goosetown/Mann
C.D.
1415 E. Davenport
St.
Rose Hill 1849 Greek Revival Sep-96 Apr-92 —
111 S. Dubuque St. Franklin Printfng House 1856 Commercial
Brick
Sep-96 Apr-86 —
914 S. Dubuque St. Tate Arms 1880 Vernacular Sep-2014 — —
120 E. Fairchild St. Carriage House & Jackson
-Swisher House
1877 Gothic Revival Sep-96 Nov-82 —
630 Fairchild St. F. X. Rittenmeyer
(Burger) House
ca 1875 Anglo-
Italianate
Sep-96 May-79 —
115 N. Gilbert St. William Bostfck House 1851 Greek Revival Sep-96 Mar-96 Jefferson Street H.D.
219 N. Gilbert St. Jacob Wentz House 1847 Greek Revival Sep-96 Aug-74 —
529 S. Gilbert St. Hawthorne Glove Factory 1905 Early 20th C.
Industrial
Apr-13 Sep-14 —
538 S. Gilbert St. C.D. Close House 1874 Italianate Sep-96 May-74 —
2460 S. Gilbert St. McCollister Farmstead 1864 Anglo-
Italianate
Sep-96 Oct-76 —
30 S. Governor St. Stevenson-Baker House 1882 Italianate May-03 — College Hill C.D.
411 S. Governor St. Bethel AME Church 1868 Vernacular — Sep-00 Governor-Lucas C.D.
611 N Governor St Isaac Wetherby House ca 1860 Vernacular — Mar-09 Goosetown/Horace
Mann C.D.
77
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook 13.0 Historic Landmarks, Propertfes and Districts Address Name Year
Built Style Iowa City
Landmark
National
Register
Historic/
Conservation
District
604 Iowa Ave. Windrem House ca 1850 Vernacular Sep-96 Sep-77 College Hill C.D.
726 Iowa Ave. Crum-Overholt House ca 1840 Greek Revival May-03 ---- College Hill C.D.
130 E. Jefferson St. Park House Hotel 1852 Greek Revival/
Late Victorian
Sep-96 Dec-78 Jefferson Street H.D.
220 E. Jefferson St. St. Mary's Church and
Rectory
1867 Gothic Revival Sep-96 Feb-80 Jefferson Street H.D.
610 E. Jefferson St. St. Mary's Rectory 1854 Greek Revival Sep-96 Jul-95 —
524 N. Johnson St. Czecho Slovakian
Associatfon Hall
1900 Colonial
Revival
Sep-96 Nov-76 —
829 Kirkwood Ave. Clark House 1874 Victorian/
Italianate
Sep-96 May-96 —
1101 Kirkwood Ave. Samuel Kirkwood House 1864 Anglo-
Italianate
Sep-96 Sep-74 —
119-123 N. Linn Economy Advertfsing
Company
1923 Commercial
Brick
Sep-96 Apr-86 —
127-131 N. Linn &
221-227 E. Market
Union Brewery 1856-57 Italianate Sep-96 Apr-86 —
203 N. Linn St.Union (Bashnagel) Bakery 1872 Commercial
Brick
June-14 — —
13 S. Linn St. Hohenshuh Mortuary 1917 Colonial
Revival
Oct-00 — —
28 S. Linn St. Old Post Office 1904 Classic Revival — Apr-79 —
410 N. Lucas St. Schindhelm--Drews
House
1855 Greek Revival Sep-96 Jan-94 Goosetown/Horace
Mann C.D.
20 E. Market St. North Presbyterian
Church
1856 Romanesque
Revival
Sep-96 Aug-73 —
410 E. Market St. Henry C. Nicking House ca 1854 Vernacular Sep-96 Apr-75 —
108 McLean St. Sigma Pi Fraternity House 1900 Tudor Revival May-12 Dec-13
Melrose Ave,
West of Hwy 218
Johnson County Asylum 1855 Vernacular — Aug-78 —
320 Melrose Ave. Wilbur D. and Hattie
Cannon House
1884 Italianate Sep-96 Oct-94 —
503 Melrose Ave. A. W. Pratt House 1885 Italianate Sep-96 Feb-83 Melrose Avenue
Natfonal H.D.
629 Melrose Ave. Billingsley-Hills House 1870 Italianate/
Greek Revival
Sep-96 Jan-83 Melrose Avenue
Natfonal H.D.
820 Park Rd. Ned Ashton House 1947 Modern
Movement
— Jan-01 —
200 E Park Rd City Park Cabins ca 1880 Log Cabin — Jun-13 —
704 Reno St. Cavanaugh-Zetek House 1870 Gothic Revival Sep-96 Sep-77 —
228 S. Summit St. Summit Apartment
Building
1916 Prairie/
Sullivan
Sep-96 Sep-83 College Hill C.D.
800 N. Van Buren St. Vogt-Unash House 1889 Queen Anne — Jul-78 Brown Street H.D.
207-215 E.
Washington
Paul--Helen Building 1910 Commercial
Brick
Sep-96 Apr-86 —
221 E. Washington
St.
Englert Theatre 1912 Renaissance
Revival
— Aug-01 —
332 E. Washington
St.
Boerner-Fry Company/
Davis Hotel
1899 Classic Revival — Jan-83 —
802 E. Washington
St.
Haddock House "The
Crag"
1891 Gothic Revival May-03 — College Hill C.D.
109 Wright St.Chicago, Rock Island &
Pacific Railroad
Passenger Statfon
1898 Victorian Ec-
lectfc
Sep-96 Dec-82 —
78 13.0 Historic Landmarks, Propertfes and Districts Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
13.2 Historic and Conservation Districts
Address Iowa City Local
District
Natfonal
Register
South Summit Street Historic District Roughly 300-800 blocks of South Summit Street Mar-84 Oct-73
Woodlawn Avenue Historic District Irregular pattern along Woodlawn Avenue Mar-84 Mar-79
Brown Street Historic District
Roughly Brown Street from west of Linn Street to
Governor Street and adjacent parts of inter-
sectfng streets
May-94 Sep-94
Moffitt Cottage Historic District 1322-1330 Muscatfne Avenue May-95 May-93
East College Street Historic District East College Street between South Summit Street
and Muscatfne Avenue. Mar-97 Jul-97
College Green Historic District Roughly bounded by Burlington, Governor, Wash-
ington, and Johnson Streets Mar-97 Jul-97
Governor-Lucas Conservatfon District
Roughly bounded by Burlington, South Lucas, and
South Governor Streets, and the Iowa Interstate
Railway
May-01 ----
Longfellow Historic District
Roughly bounded by Court and Rundell Streets,
Sheridan Avenue, and the west boundary of
Longfellow School
Jan-02 Sep-02
Clark Street Conservatfon District Roughly 400-800 blocks of Clark Street, and por-
tfons of Roosevelt and Maggard Streets Jan-02 ----
Dearborn Street Conservatfon District
Roughly bounded by Muscatfne Avenue, South
7th Avenue, Rundell Street, and the Iowa Inter-
state Railway
Jan-02 ----
College Hill Conservatfon District Roughly bounded by Iowa Avenue, Johnson and
Burlington Streets, and Muscatfne Avenue May-03 ----
Longfellow-Moffitt Cottage
Combinatfon Historic District
Combines the previous, separate Longfellow and
Moffitt Cottage Historic Districts Jun-03 ----
Brown Street Historic District (Increase) Roughly 500-800 blocks of East Ronalds Street Dec-04 Sep-04
Gilbert-Linn St. (Northside) Historic Dis-
trict
Portfons of 300-600 North Gilbert and North Linn
Streets May-09 Apr-05
Jefferson Street Historic District Portfons of 100-400 blocks of East Jefferson Nov-12 Sep-04
Goosetown/ Horace Mann
Conservatfon District
Roughly bounded on the north by Ronalds, Gil-
bert, Davenport, and Governor Streets. On the
south by Jefferson, Dodge, and Governor Streets
Jun-14 Sep-04
Melrose Historic District
Portfons of Melrose Avenue, Melrose Court, Mel-
rose Circle, Brookland Park Drive, Brookland
Place, and Myrtle Avenue
---- Dec-04
79
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook 14.0 Historic and Conservatfon Districts Descriptfon and History 14.0 Historic and Conservation Districts Description and History
Governor-Lucas Street Conservation District
Turn-of-the-century houses and tree-lined streets characterize the Governor-Lucas Conservatfon District
with houses datfng from the late 19th century through the 1930s. Governor Street’s unusually wide lots
and deep set-backs on the east side create a sense of spaciousness that is similar to portfons of Summit
Street and not found in most Iowa City residentfal districts. Examples of vernacular house forms and
architectural styles from the 1860s through the 1930s are present, with many good examples of
Craftsman Style, American Four-Squares and Bungalows intermixed with earlier Victorian styles.
The Governor-Lucas Conservatfon District was Iowa City’s first conservatfon district. It includes 139
residentfal propertfes and one church, the Bethel AME Church (Natfonal Register). The neighborhood
saw its transitfon to rental occupancy begin in 1961 when the majority of the district was rezoned for
dense multffamily occupancy. In the wake of this rezoning, blocks to the west saw houses razed and
new apartment buildings erected. Measures to designate the area for protectfon began with a
reconnaissance survey of the neighborhood and blocks to the west completed in 1990. In 1996 and
1998, a smaller area was included in the intensive level survey completed for the Longfellow
Neighborhood. In May 2000, owner-occupants and long-term renters, aware of the pressure to
construct dormitory-style apartment buildings in the neighborhood, successfully petftfoned the City
Council to down-zone the neighborhood. Work on establishment of a conservatfon district paralleled
the rezoning measure.
Summit Street Historic District
The neighborhood’s three blocks include Iowa City’s best collectfon of well-preserved Victorian-era and
turn-of-the-century American Revival style residences. Houses along the broad street are set well back
on deep, wooded lots with many propertfes containing carriage houses, fences, carriage blocks, and
historic landscaping features. The ambiance of the Summit Street Historic District is park-like.
Constructfon dates for the district’s building stock primarily range from the 1860s-1910s.
The Summit Street blocks were recognized through the years as having a sense of tfme and place.
Individual houses were prominently featured in Margaret Keyes’ early book on Iowa City architecture.
Early threats to the neighborhood posed by apartment house constructfon were thwarted by
neighborhood actfvism and subsequent down zoning and historic district protectfon. In 1973, residents
sought and received a designatfon for the area as a Natfonal Register historic district – the first historic
district established in Iowa City. A decade later, the district was also the first to be listed as a local
historic district, along with the Woodlawn Avenue Historic District.
The health of Summit Street is evidence of the long term community benefits fostered by historic
preservatfon. A neighborhood that was threatened with redevelopment in the 1960s is now a stable
and well-regarded residentfal anchor for the near east part of the city. Buildings in the district have
been rehabilitated at a rate commensurate with or ahead of other older neighborhoods in the city.
Property values have kept pace with or exceeded appreciatfon in the balance of the community. Traffic
increases are stfll perceived by current residents; and others, as the principal threat to the
neighborhood.
For many, the Summit Street Historic District is an example of the idiom “If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"
The area has a well-recognized historic image in the community and the district’s addresses are sought
after in spite of an increasingly competftfve market for preserved historic residences
Clark Street Conservation District
The Clark Street Conservatfon District includes residences constructed as worker housing for the nearby
Kelly Manufacturing Company and Oakes Brickworks during the late 19th and early 20th centuries as
well as homes built for what became an early 20th-century commuter suburb. Modest one- to two-
story houses in styles and vernacular house forms typical of the period characterize the district.
Scattered examples of earlier domestfc architectural styles and forms appear on the west edge adjacent
to the Summit Street Historic District. Narrow, tree-lined streets contribute to the historic sense of tfme
and place of this neighborhood.
At the tfme the Clark Street Conservatfon District was designed in 2001, 57 of the district’s 76
propertfes, approximately 75 percent, were considered to be contributfng to the character of the
conservatfon district.
14.1 Longfellow Neighborhood Districts
80 14.0 Historic and Conservatfon Districts Descriptfon and History Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
College Hill Conservation District
The district adjoins three historic districts – College Green, East College Street, and Woodlawn. The
neighborhood takes its name from the topographic rise in the center of the area occupied by College Green
Park and the ladies seminary that was once located in the park. The neighborhood includes a mix of single-
family and multffamily residentfal buildings datfng from the late 19th through the early 20th century. The
neighborhood traditfonally had a strong associatfon with the University, housing students in rooming
houses, in scattered fraternity and sorority houses, and more recently, in apartment buildings. Private
residences housed University faculty and staff as well as many business and civic leaders. Constructfon of
apartment complexes and the unsympathetfc renovatfons of other buildings have diminished the
appearance of some of the streetscapes.
The College Hill Conservatfon District was evaluated in two separate surveys – the intensive level survey of
the College Hill Neighborhood completed in 1994 and the reconnaissance level survey of Iowa Avenue in
2003. The district became a local conservatfon district in 2003. The College Hill Conservatfon District,
partfcularly Iowa Avenue, was one of the most seriously damaged neighborhoods in the tornado of 2006.
The repairs of damaged structures was reviewed by the Historic Preservatfon Commission to assure the
long-term preservatfon of the neighborhood. These efforts were recognized by an Award for Hard Won
Victories from the Iowa Chapter of the American Planning Associatfon.
14.2 College Hill Neighborhood Districts
Longfellow Historic District
The Longfellow Historic District includes portfons of the original Rundell Additfon, Oakes Additfon and East
Iowa City. The northern fringe of the Longfellow neighborhood was developed before World War I while
the balance of the area extending south of Court St. and east of Clark St. was not fully developed untfl
World War II. Good examples of vernacular house forms and architectural styles from before and after
World War II survive throughout the neighborhood, with constructfon occurring c. 1910 – 1940. Facing
blocks have a homogeneous scale of buildings with uniform setbacks. The neighborhood has a high level of
physical integrity, including many historic garages. The Longfellow Elementary School is an important
landmark anchoring the neighborhood, which was originally conceived as a streetcar suburb.
The former Moffitt Cottage district, combined with the Longfellow district in 2003, is made up of the group
of five buildings in the 1300 block of Muscatfne Avenue. These are single-family, one or one-and-a-half
story, stone-veneered buildings with Period House stylistfc forms and details in the English cottage
variatfon. They were constructed in 1939 and 1940.
Since 1992, major progress has been made on the preservatfon objectfves for the Longfellow Historic
district. In 1996 and 1998, historical and architectural survey work was completed. Parallel designatfon
tracks saw the Longfellow Historic District listed as a local ordinance district in early 2002 and on the
Natfonal Register later the same year. The Moffitt Cottage district was combined with the Longfellow
Historic District in 2003. Fears of residents expressed in 1992 regarding incompatfble exterior remodeling
of pristfne bungalows and period cottages has been replaced by carefully planned historic rehabilitatfons.
Removal of the district’s small period garages has been slowed, and where replacement buildings have
been erected the design review has mitfgated their loss by requiring more compatfble design for new
garages. The contfnuing loss of original garages is a challenge for the neighborhood.
Dearborn Street Conservation District
The Dearborn Street area developed primarily during the 1930s and post-World War II years. A number of
the district’s houses are based on standardized small house plans popularized during the pre-World War II
period. By this tfme the automobile was more common and many homes have small historic garages that
are similar to the houses or are incorporated into the house structure.
The area was surveyed in 1996. A number of the houses have been altered, diminishing the neighborhood’s
architectural integrity and eligibility for designatfon as a historic district. At the tfme the Dearborn Street
Conservatfon District was designated in 2002, 105 of the district’s 147 propertfes, approximately 75
percent, were considered to be contributfng to the character of the conservatfon district.
81
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook 14.0 Historic and Conservatfon Districts Descriptfon and History Woodlawn is an enclave of 14 well-preserved late 19th and early 20th century residences (c. 1880 –
1900). Cohesion, seclusion and contfnuity of form are the principal characteristfcs which make the
Woodlawn Historic District significant in the architectural and natural landscape of Iowa City. This
essentfally late 19th Century enclave of upper middle-class residentfal structures is distfnguished by its
large lots, deep setbacks, and the presentatfon of prominent front gables, each with its own partfcular
decoratfve details, to the narrow, unpaved oval of Woodlawn Avenue. “Governor’s Square” located
southwest of Woodlawn, was originally planned as the locatfon for the governor’s residence. After the
capital relocated to Des Moines in 1857, these plans were abandoned and Governor’s Square was
replatted for house lots. In 1889 S.M. Clark’s Sub-division, which contains Woodlawn, was platted east
of the terminus of Iowa Avenue. Beginning in the 1880s houses were built along Woodlawn Avenue’s
spacious lots featuring Gothic Revival, Italianate, Queen Anne, Stfck/Eastlake, and Tudor Revival styles.
Through the years, a Woodlawn address, like that of South Summit Street, connoted prestfge.
The Woodlawn Historic District was listed on the Natfonal Register in 1979 and became a local historic
district in 1984. Several buildings and mature landscape elements on Woodlawn were seriously
damaged in the April 2006 tornado.
14.3 Woodlawn Historic District
College Green Historic District
The College Green Historic District is a residentfal area in east Iowa City deriving its name from a square-
block park known as College Green. Substantfal houses were built surrounding the park, their styles
typical of house forms and designs from late 19th and early 20th century (c. 1860 – 1930s). The block
where the green is located was the site for an unsuccessful effort to establish the “Iowa Female
Collegiate Instftute” college in the 1850s and reverted to park use thereafter. College Green Park serves
as a neighborhood focal point. The neighborhood has a strong associatfon with the development of the
University with residences in the area having served as homes for faculty and staff as well as rooming
houses.
The College Green Historic District is a residentfal area in east Iowa City deriving its name from a square-
block park known as College Green. It includes the residentfal neighborhood including houses which
faces College Green and those structures in an area extending south and east of the green. The district
enjoys a high degree of visual contfnuity through similar scale and massing (single family residentfal),
age (1860s – 1930), and stylistfc influences (Nineteenth Century Revival Styles and early Twentfeth
Century Styles)… The district retains its mature tree canopy.
The College Green Historic District was one of two residentfal districts identffied in the historical and
architectural survey of the College Hill Neighborhood completed in 1994. In 1997 the district became a
local historic district, and a short tfme later was listed on the Natfonal Register of Historic Places The
mature landscape elements which contributed to the identfty of the district in and around College
Green Park were destroyed or damaged in the tornado of 2006
East College Street Historic District
Substantfal houses were built along the street, primarily between 1880 and 1920, manifestfng the
architectural styles and vernacular house popular in Iowa City during those decades. Queen Anne
Revival, Craftsman and American Four-square house forms predominate in three-quarters of the
district’s 28 buildings. Several propertfes in the district have historical associatfons with early business
leaders, while others were faculty members at the University. The architectural styles, period of
constructfon, similar lot setbacks and siding, along with the presence of a high canopy of mature trees
unify the district.
The East College Street Historic District was one of two districts identffied in the historical and
architectural survey of the College Hill Neighborhood completed in 1994. In 1997 the district became a
local historic district, and a short tfme later was listed on the Natfonal Register of Historic Places Several
buildings and the mature landscape elements along East College Street which contributed to the
identfty of the district were damaged in the tornado of 2006 but most in the district avoided serious
destructfon.
82 14.0 Historic and Conservatfon Districts Descriptfon and History Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
Brown Street Historic District
This Historic District is located along the north edge of Iowa City’s “North Side” neighborhood and is
comprised of residences representatfve of architectural styles, house forms, decoratfve details, and
materials used in Iowa City from c. 1850 - 1935. Brown Street residences range in size from small one and
two-story gable cottages to medium sized Gabled-Ell Cottages and to large hipped-roofed, two-story Four-
Squares and sprawling asymmetrical organic cottages. The district’s record of architectural styles, the
densely landscaped private lawns, and the intact brick streets create a distfnct sense of place. This visual
quality as well as the historic importance of Brown Street as an early transportatfon route and its
associatfon with faculty and staff of the University all serves to create a distfnct neighborhood identfty and
historic significance.
Since the 1960s this area of Iowa City has been the subject of intense debate and neighborhood planning.
During the 1980s, efforts were unsuccessful to designate a large mixed-use historic district in the North
Side that included portfons of Brown Street. After completfon of the 1992 Historic Preservation Plan, the
Historic Preservatfon Commission made its first priority the designatfon of Brown Street and portfons of
adjacent side streets (Bella Vista, Linn, Gilbert, Van Buren, Johnson, Dodge and Governor) as a separate
Natfonal Register and local ordinance historic district. These efforts were successfully completed with
strong neighborhood support in 1994 following considerable debate, organizing, and promotfon efforts led
by the Commission. In 2004, the district boundaries were expanded to include a sectfon of Ronalds Street.
Changing housing trends and the appeal of older houses as single-family residences have demonstrated the
capacity of North Side neighborhoods such as Brown Street to rejuvenate and prosper.
Northside Historic District (Gilbert-Linn Street National Register District)
The Northside Historic District, which includes the Gilbert-Linn Street Natfonal Register District, is locally
significant because of its associatfon with an important era of populatfon growth and intense residentfal
development in Iowa City’s North Side at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th
century. Iowa Citfans built private residences for their growing families while small-scale developers
constructed housing to meet the demand of a brisk rental market during these decades. The Northside
Historic District’s organic development followed this pattern of residentfal development.
Additfonal significance is gained from the fact that the Northside Historic District represented a cross
sectfon of middle and upper income households with prominent business and professional leaders living
next door to middle income and working class families. Individuals who resided in this neighborhood
highlight several important themes in the city’s history in the decades before and after the turn of the 20th
century. Primary among these were the growing prosperity of Iowa City’s German-American and Czech-
American communitfes and the growth in importance of the State University of Iowa. The constructfon of
new houses, the brisk rental of existfng houses, and the infill constructfon pattern that produced a dense
residentfal district from ca. 1895 through ca. 1925 testffy to the neighborhood’s significance.
The Northside Historic District also exhibits a representatfve collectfon of the residentfal architectural styles
and vernacular house forms that appeared in Iowa City neighborhoods from the 1860s through the 1930s.
From modest Bohemian cottages to pattern book houses and elaborate multf-story mansions, the
Northside Historic District reflects the architectural character and best local residentfal building practfces of
the period. The District derives added architectural significance because of the large number of well-
preserved residences designed by Iowa City’s most productfve early 20th century architect, O.H. Carpenter,
between 1900 and 1918.
The combinatfon of visual qualitfes and historical associatfons gives the Northside Historic District its
distfnct identfty and significance. The boundaries of the Northside Historic District are larger than the
boundaries of the Gilbert-Linn Street Natfonal Register District. This arose from the neighborhoods
desire to protect a larger number of intact historic resources in the neighborhood.
14.4 Northside Neighborhood Districts
83
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook 15.0 Historic and Conservatfon Districts (City wide map) Goosetown/ Horace Mann Historic District
The Goosetown/ Horace Mann Conservatfon District includes portfons of the Northside Neighborhood
surrounding Horace Mann School and the western portfon of Goosetown. This district contains some of
the city’s oldest and most unique housing stock, and is part of the original 1839 plat of Iowa City.
Goosetown is located in the northeast corner of the original town plat. It traditfonally stretched from
Bloomington Street and the flood plain of Ralston Creek on the south, to Oakland Cemetery on the north.
The western boundary of Goosetown developed in the latter half of the 19th century as a neighborhood of
successive generatfons of Bohemian (Czecho-Slovakian) immigrants and their families. The Goosetown
name comes from the practfce of Bohemian women and children herding flocks of geese from the
residentfal area to vacant nearby pasture land each day for feeding.
The historic houses of the Goosetown/Horace Mann Conservatfon District represent a variety of
vernacular forms and popular architectural styles. Some of the neighborhood’s earliest examples of
Italianate and Queen Anne Style dwellings are located here, datfng from the 1860’s. Many houses in the
district are from the 1880s and have survived with their original appearances substantfally intact. These
range from modest one-story Goosetown cottages to larger 2-story side-gabled I-houses, with many of
these otherwise simple vernacular forms displaying elements of the Greek Revival style.
A long traditfon of student housing exists in the neighborhood with many residences providing quarters for
a single roomer or a full house of boarders. The growth of student enrollments after 1900 also made the
neighborhood a likely candidate for redevelopment – smaller houses were razed or moved to make way for
larger residences. Student housing needs soared in the 1960s and 1970s and the same factors which had
made the Near North Side a convenient residentfal choice for University faculty and student boarders in
1900 made the area attractfve for development of apartment houses. This new housing took the form of
four to twelve-unit buildings constructed of brick veneer with mansard roofs. Constructfon of these
“mansard plexes” had declined by the late 1980s following passage of zoning changes making apartment
constructfon more difficult in the Northside.
Three propertfes within the conservatfon district have been listed on the NRHP. They are the Schindhelm-
Drews House, 410 N. Lucas Street, the Letovsky-Rohret House, 515 E. Davenport Street, and the Issac
Wetherby House, 611 N. Governor Street. Four other propertfes have been identffied as key propertfes and
are eligible for listfng in the Natfonal Register. These propertfes include 728 Fairchild Street, 508 Church
Street, the Joseph Cerny House located at 718 E. Davenport Street, and the Lewis and Anna Jiroski
(Yavorsky) House located at 724 Bloomington Street.
Jefferson Street Historic District
The Jefferson Street Historic District is a linear neighborhood that extends along East Jefferson Street from
Clinton to Van Buren streets. Propertfes facing the intersectfng streets of Dubuque, Linn, Gilbert, and Van
Buren are also included within the district. The entfre district was a part of the original plat of Iowa City and
includes a mix of instftutfonal buildings (religious and academic) and residentfal buildings that reflect its
historical development along the edge of the downtown and the University campus. University-related
resources include buildings originally used as a biological sciences classroom building, a medical school
anatomy lecture hall, an isolatfon hospital, and sorority houses. Buildings used for religious purposes
include four churches, a student center, a former convent, and a rectory.
The balance of the district includes two large apartment buildings, a collectfon of medium- and large-sized
single-family dwellings that date from the 1850s through the 1930s, and a variety of secondary structures
erected during the early 20th century. The district contains a total of 38 primary resources with all but one
considered contributfng.
The instftutfonal and residentfal buildings in the Jefferson Street Historic District exhibit a variety of late
19th and early 20th century historic architectural styles including excellent examples of eleven distfnct
styles. Greek Revival, Italianate, Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, and Craftsman style houses are scattered
through the District with well-preserved instftutfonal buildings designed in the Gothic Revival, French
Second Empire, Classical Revival, Romanesque Revival, Italian Renaissance Revival and a mix of the
Collegiate Gothic and Tudor Revival.
84 16.0 Longfellow Neighborhood Districts (Maps) Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
15.0 Historic and Conservation Districts (Citywide map)
85
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook 16.0 Longfellow Neighborhood Districts (Maps)
86 16.0 Longfellow Neighborhood Districts (Maps) Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
16.0 Longfellow Neighborhood Districts (Maps)
16.1 Governor-Lucas Street Conservation District
87
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook 16.0 Longfellow Neighborhood Districts (Maps) 16.2 Summit Street Historic District
88 16.0 Longfellow Neighborhood Districts (Maps) Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
16.3 Clark Street Conservation District
89
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook 16.0 Longfellow Neighborhood Districts (Maps) 16.4 Longfellow Historic District
90 16.0 Longfellow Neighborhood Districts (Maps) Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
16.5 Dearborn Street Conservation District
91
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook 17.0 College Hill Neighborhood Districts (Maps) 17.1 College Green Historic District
17.2 East College Street Historic District
17.0 College Hill Neighborhood Districts (Maps)
92 17.0 College Hill Neighborhood Districts (Maps) Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
17.3 College Hill Conservation District
93
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook 17.0 College Hill Neighborhood Districts (Maps)
9418.0 Woodlawn Historic District (Map) Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
18.0 Woodlawn Historic District (Map)
93
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook 19.0 Northside Neighborhood Districts (Map) 19.0 Northside Neighborhood Districts (Maps)
19.1 Northside Historic District
96 19.0 Northside Neighborhood Districts (Map) Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
19.2 Brown Street Historic District
97
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook 19.0 Northside Neighborhood Districts (Map)
98 19.0 Northside Neighborhood Districts (Map) Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
19.3 Goosetown/ Horace Mann Conservation District
99
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook 19.0 Northside Neighborhood Districts (Map) 19.4 Jefferson Street Historic District
100 Appendices Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
Additfon: A structure that is attached to an existfng building and that increases the size of its footprint.
Rooms, new porches, decks and ramps are examples of additfons.
Alteratfon: A modificatfon to the exterior of a building that does not increase the building footprint.
Certfficate of Appropriateness: The document that is evidence of approval by the Historic Preservatfon
Commission of a proposal to make a change in appearance. A Certfficate of Appropriateness must be
obtained before a Regulated Permit may be issued.
Certfficate of No Material Effect: The document, issued in lieu of a Certfficate of Appropriateness, that
signifies that the work contemplated in the applicatfon will have no effect on any significant features of a
historic landmark, or property within a historic or conservatfon district.
Change in appearance: Any alteratfon, additfon, demolitfon, new constructfon or other change that
modifies the site of or exterior of a structure on a landmark property or a property located within a district.
Conservatfon district: An area that contains abutting pieces of property under diverse ownership, the built
portfons of which by majority are at least fifty (50) years old and which:
1. According to a historic resources survey, no more than sixty percent (60%) of the primary structures
and/or sites are of a quality, integrity and conditfon that qualify as contributfng to a Natfonal Register
of Historic Places multf property listfng; and
2. Represent the traditfonal character of Iowa City neighborhoods through architectural characteristfcs,
building scale, building setback, and streetscape design; or
3.Exemplify a pattern of neighborhood settlement or development significant to the cultural history or
traditfon of Iowa City; or
4. Represent a unique or unusual physical character that creates distfnctfveness.
Contributfng property: A property within a district that is an integral part of the historic context and
character of the district.
Demolitfon: Any act or process that destroys a structure or building or any architecturally significant
component of a structure or building.
District: A historic district or conservatfon district.
Exceptfon: A statement in the Iowa City Guidelines that allows for a less stringent applicatfon of a historic
preservatfon guideline for specified propertfes, usually buildings that are within a conservatfon district,
noncontributfng or non-historic.
Exterior features: The architectural style, general design and arrangement of the exterior of a building,
including the kind and texture of building material and the type and style of all windows, doors, light
fixtures, trim and brackets, porches, chimneys, signs and other appurtenant fixtures.
Highly visible from the street: A building, object or feature is “highly visible from the street” if it can be
easily notfced or viewed from the street right-of-way. Such features are usually located within 20 feet of
the street-facing facade of a primary building.
Historic district: An area that does not exceed 160 acres in area, and contains abutting pieces of property
under diverse ownership which:
1.Are significant to American and/or Iowa City history, architecture, archaeology and culture; or
2.Possess integrity of locatfon, design, setting, materials and workership; or
3.Are associated with events that have made a significant contributfon to the broad patterns of our
history; or
4.Are associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; or
Appendices
A.1 Definitions
101
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook Appendices 5.Embody the distfnctfve characteristfcs of a type, period, method of constructfon; represent the
work of a master; possess high artfstfc values; represent a significant and distfnguishable entfty
whose components may lack individual distfnctfon; or
6.Have yielded or may likely yield informatfon important in prehistory or history.
Historic landmark: Any building, structure, object, archaeological site, area of land or element of
landscape architecture with significance, importance or value consistent with the criteria contained in
subsectfons one through six of the definitfon of “Historic District,” which has been designated as a
historic landmark by the Iowa City City Council.
Key property: A property that is individually eligible to be listed on, or is listed on the Natfonal Register
of Historic Places, and/or is designated a historic landmark. A list of key propertfes is available from the
Preservatfon Planner.
Natfonal Register of Historic Places (NRHP): A list of U.S. places of significance in American history,
architecture, archeology, engineering and culture on a natfonal, state, or local level and maintained by
the U.S. Department of the Interior.
Noncontributfng property: Any property within a district that is not listed as a contributfng property.
Non-historic property: Any noncontributfng property within a district that was less than 50 years old at
the tfme the district was designated and/or was not constructed during the district’s period of
significance.
Outbuilding: A building on a lot that is smaller than the primary building and typically located behind
the primary building. Examples of outbuildings are garages, barns, garden sheds, greenhouses and
gazebos.
Primary building: The inhabited building on a lot that is normally the largest and faces the street. Most
often a house is the primary building in historic and conservatfon districts.
Property: The site features, buildings, landscaping, and other structures that are located within the
property lines of a partfcular lot or parcel.
Setback additfon: An additfon built behind the existfng structure, opposite the street facade, that has a
setback of eight or more inches from the side walls and a roof that is no higher than the existfng roof.
When viewed from the street, the additfon must be narrower and no taller than the existfng structure.
Little or no part of the setback additfon is visible on the street elevatfon.
Street elevatfon: All roof and wall surfaces that face the street. These would be depicted in an
architectural drawing called a street “elevatfon.”
Structure: Any man-made feature that has been constructed on a site or property.
102 Appendices Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
Baluster: An upright member supportfng a railing or
banister.
Balustrade: A railing composed of a handrail supported by
balusters. In exterior applicatfons, balustrades typically
have a top and bottom rail.
Band board: A contfnuous horizontal wood band on an
exterior wall.
Barge board: A wide ornamental fascia board hung from
the eaves or in a gable.
Belt course: A contfnuous horizontal masonry band on an
exterior wall.
Brackets: Supportfng members of wood, stone or metal
often used for both decoratfve and structural purposed
and generally found under projectfng features such as
eaves, cornices, bay windows, and canopies.
Canopy: A small projectfng roof structure that shelters an
entrance.
Casement window: A window that is hinged on one side
and swings in or out to open.
Clapboards: Wood siding of overlapping horizontal boards.
Column: A slender vertfcal element that supports part of a
building or structure.
Corner boards: Vertfcal trim boards installed at the outside
and inside corners of a wall covered with wood siding.
Cornice: The projectfng moldings forming the top band of
a wall, eave, or other element.
Cornice return: The extension of a cornice in a new
directfon, especially where the rake of a gable end returns
horizontally a short distance.
Dentfl: In the cornice of a classically detailed building, one
of a series of small blocks that alternate with a blank
space.
Divided light: A window in which the glass is divided into
several small panes with muntfn bars. The nomenclature
for divided lights is the number of lights in the upper sash
over the number of lights in the lower sash, e.g. 3/1.
Double-hung window: A window with two sashes that slide
past each other vertfcally.
Eave: The part of a roof that projects beyond the wall
below the roof.
Facade: Any of the exterior faces of a building. Typically
refers to the side that faces the street and has the main
entrance.
Fascia board: A finish board attached to the ends of roof
rafter tails.
Fenestratfon: The arrangement of doors and windows in a
building facade.
A.2 Architectural Terms
Details of Classical Revival porch
Eave
Soffit
Frieze board
Columns
Pier
Balustrade
Skirt board
Skirtfng
Details of Eclectfc brick house
Frieze board
Bracket
Lintel
Double-hung
window
Sill
Belt Coarse
Quoins
103
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook Appendices Fish-scale: A pattern created by rows of shingles with
curved bottoms.
Frieze board: A flat board that is located on the vertfcal
plane and directly below the soffit.
Front-gabled: Refers to a building with a gabled roof in
which the main entrance is located on the facade that
has the sloping eaves and gable.
Gable: The triangular upper portfon of a wall beneath a
gabled roof.
Gabled roof: A roof composed of two sloping planes
that meet at a ridge.
Gambrel roof: A roof composed of two sloping planes
of different pitches on either side of a ridge; the lower
plane is the steeper one.
Hip roof: A roof with sloping planes on all sides that
meet at a central ridge or point.
Light: A pane of glass in a window or door.
Lintel: A horizontal beam bridging a window or door
opening to carry the weight of the wall above the
opening.
Mullion: The vertfcal dividing members between
grouped windows.
Muntfn bars: The vertfcal and horizontal strips or grid
that separate the panes of glass in a window sash or
door.
Pier: The square or rectangular masonry or wood post
projectfng less than a story above the ground that
carries the weight of a structure down to the
foundatfon.
Pilaster: A shallow column that is mounted to a wall.
Pediment: The triangular gable end of a classical
building, or the same form used elsewhere.
Portfco: A projectfng, classical style porch supported by
columns.
Quoin: A large, rectangular block of stone used to
physically and aesthetfcally anchor an outside corner of
a building.
Rafter tail: The end of a roof rafter that is exposed
when the eave is not enclosed.
Rake: The sloped edge of a gabled roof.
Rake board: A board installed at the gable end of a roof
parallel to the roof slope.
Sash: A wood or metal frame composed of rails and
stfles into which glass window panes (lights) are set.
Side-gabled: Refers to a building with a gable roof in
which the main entrance is located on the facade that
has the straight eaves and sloping roof.
Sidelight: A window located next to a door.
Hip roof and dormer
Gambrel roof
Details of Craftsman house
Rake board
Bracket
Wall shingle
Rafter tails
Band board
Clapboards
Corner board
Column
Water table
board
Foundatfon
104 Appendices Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook
Sill: The bottom member of a window frame.
Skirt board: The wide flat board installed below a porch or
deck floor to conceal the floor structure.
Skirtfng: The screen composed of lattice or slats within a
rectangular frame, and installed between porch or deck
piers.
Soffit: The exposed and finished underside of a roof
overhang.
Transom: A small window located over a door or another
window.
Tuckpointfng: Refilling deteriorated mortar joints with
fresh mortar.
Water table: A molding or projectfng sloping shelf located
at the bottom of a wall that is designed to divert runoff
water away from the masonry foundatfon below it.
Italianate house with gabled roof
Cornice
Frieze board
Brackets
Cornice
return
Gable of Queen Anne house
Barge Board
Fish-scale
Band board
Balustrade
Entrance with portfco and Prairie-
style divided lights
Transom
Sidelight
Double-hung windows with wood
storm windows
Casing
Muntfn bars
Light
Sash
Mullion
Sill
105
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Handbook Appendices A.3 Historic Preservation Documents
Feb 2008
Feb 2008
Feb 2010
Apr 2001
June 2000
June 1999
July 1998
Apr 1997
July 1996
July 1994
Jan 1994
Dec 2008
Jan 2003
Aug 2000
Nov 1996
Nov 1996
Nov 1996
Jan 1994
Sep 2001
Svendsen Tyler, Inc.
Clarion Associates LLC
Svendsen Tyler, Inc.
Clarion Associates LLC
Svendsen Tyler, Inc
Svendsen Tyler, Inc.
Svendsen Tyler, Inc.
Svendsen Tyler, Inc.
Molly Myers Naumann
Tallgrass Historians
Molly Myers Naumann
Tallgrass Historians, Inc.
Svendsen Tyler, Inc.
Svendsen Tyler, Inc.
Historic Preservatfon Commission
Historic Preservatfon Commission
Arborgast & Eckhardt
Arborgast & Eckhardt
Jan Nash
Svendsen Tyler, Inc.
Svendsen Tyler, Inc.
National Register of Historic Places
The Natfonal Register of Historic Places Registratfon Forms for historic landmarks and districts in Iowa City are available from
the Preservatfon Planner in the Department of Planning and Community Development.
Preservation Plan
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Plan
Iowa City Historic Preservatfon Plan – Appendices
Surveys and Evaluations of Iowa City Historic Neighborhoods
Survey and Evaluatfon of the Manville Heights Neighborhood
Survey and Evaluatfon of the Central Business District
Survey and Evaluatfon of the Goosetown Neighborhood
(Original Town Plat Phase III)
Survey and Evaluatfon of the Original Town Plat Phase II
Survey and Evaluatfon of the Longfellow Neighborhood I & II
Survey and Evaluatfon of a Portfon of the
Original Town Plat of Iowa City (Phase I)
Survey and Evaluatfon of the Dubuque/Linn Street Corridor
Survey and Evaluatfon of College Hill Neighborhood
Brown Street Historic District
Reconnaissance Surveys
Reconnaissance Survey of the Manville Heights Neighborhood
Reconnaissance Survey of Iowa Avenue in the
College Hill Neighborhood
Governor-Lucas Street Conservatfon District Site Informatfon Form
Historic District Summaries
East College Street Historic District
College Green Historic District
Moffitt Cottage Historic District
Brown Street Historic District
Feasibility Studies
Montgomery-Butler House Feasibility Study Report