Historic District Commission

Please read Historic District Regulations here or at the town office.

Please complete an application either downloaded or obtained from the town office.

Include with the application the following items where appropriate: photos of existing building where alterations are planned; a description of your proposed project including, where appropriate, photos, sketches, formal drawings, manufacturer’s brochures, web links, or other material sufficient to describe the project. 

Submit your application to the town office. A fee sufficient to cover costs of mailing to all abutters and yourself is required. The Town Assessor’s office can assist you in preparing the list of abutters and mailing costs. Contact Ashley Davis at adavis@canaannh.org or 603-523-4501 ext 3. 

Your abutters and you will be notified by mail of a public hearing, at which time the Commission will receive information about the project from your application, and any additional clarifying information you wish to provide at the hearing. Abutters and the general public will have an opportunity at the hearing to ask questions, and express concerns or support for the project. After hearing from all parties, the Commission may make a decision to approve, conditionally approve, or disapprove the project at the hearing, or at a later date should circumstances warrant. Abutters include those properties within 50 feet of your property. Abutters also include those across the street from you. It is assumed that property owners own property to the middle of the street. Building permits are not valid until the Commission has approved your application. Hearings are normally conducted on the evening of the third Monday of the month. Complete applications submitted by the first Monday of the month will be scheduled for a hearing that same month. 

Additional information may be found in the Historic District Guidelines and Procedures also available at the town office.