Living in Haddonfield's Historic District: What Needs HPC Approval

A lot of Haddonfield's oldest streets sit inside a Historic District overlay. If you live there, or on a designated landmark lot outside the contiguous boundary, exterior changes usually need a Certificate of Appropriateness before work starts. The Historic Preservation Commission reviews the design. The Planning Board makes the final call.

This is the homeowner version of how that works.

How to tell if you are in the district

The borough's HPC FAQ says an annual letter goes to Historic District residents. A map is posted online. Chapter 135 of the borough code names the boundary streets (both sides unless noted), from Kings Highway stretches to Tanner, Warwick, Washington, Chestnut, Centre, Colonial, Friends and more, plus separate landmarks such as Birdwood on Hopkins Lane and Elizabeth Haddon's Brew House on Wood Lane.

If you are buying, sellers of pre-1978 Historic District or landmark property must hand over borough disclosure materials before the contract is signed.

What needs a Certificate of Appropriateness

Borough ordinance and the HPC home page put it plainly. You need Planning Board approval, after HPC design review, before exterior changes to buildings, structures or sites in the district. That includes roofing, siding, window and door changes that alter appearance, additions, new construction, signs, lighting, fences, paving and related site work.

The FAQ is blunt: roofing, siding or any alteration to the exterior appearance needs a Certificate of Appropriateness. Extensive structural renovation may also need a registered architect or engineer.

What does not need one

Per the FAQ, the commission does not regulate:

• Paint color
• Ornamental or decorative items (window boxes, flags)
• Landscaping

The code also lists maintenance and repair exemptions when you use the same materials and keep the same design, plus compatible storm windows and exterior painting. When you are unsure, the Zoning Officer is the first call. The HPC chair can sometimes clear minor work without a full commission hearing.

The path from application to yes (or no)

1. File with the Construction and Zoning Office, Room 104, Borough Hall, 242 Kings Highway East.
2. The Historic Preservation Commission reviews complete applications at its regular meeting (second Wednesday of the month, 7:30 p.m., Borough Hall auditorium).
3. HPC sends a written recommendation to the Planning Board.
4. The Planning Board holds a public hearing and approves, approves with conditions, remands or denies. If approved, a Certificate of Appropriateness is issued.

You (or counsel) must appear at the Planning Board hearing. Optional informational meetings with the HPC are encouraged before you file a big project. The borough's design guidelines PDF is reference material for owners and designers; it is not a substitute for the ordinance.

Why this keeps showing up on Planning Board agendas

Most months the Planning Board calendar is thick with HPC case numbers. The Nov. 4 agenda listed four Historic District applications and two designation requests; outcomes for those items were still not posted as of Thursday evening. Earlier October cases for 27 Colonial Ave. and 120 Chestnut Ave. now have signed resolutions on the 2026 Planning Board page. Next Planning Board date listed there is Dec. 1.

A construction permit is a separate step. State ordinary-maintenance rules and borough permit basics are covered in our permit guide. In the Historic District, exterior work still needs HPC review even when the state would not require a construction permit.

Who to ask: Zoning Officer at SKrohn@haddonfield-nj.gov; HPC Secretary at KBrockett@haddonfield-nj.gov; Borough Hall main line 856-429-4700.

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