Yes.  Paint is essentially a protective covering that is applied to both frame and masonry surfaces. The choice of paint color for the exterior of a historic property is a combination of personal taste, and in historic districts, consideration as to how that paint color will affect the character of the neighborhood. (Delray Beach Historic Preservation Design Guidelines).

Approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness request along with the Building Materials and Color Sample Form is required to change the exterior color of a structure.

The City of Delray Beach offers a Historic Property Ad Valorem Tax Exemption for improvements to historic properties. In addition, there are Federal Historic Tax Credits that provide up to a 20% tax credit for the rehabilitation of historic non-owner occupied properties that are within a Nationally Listed Historic District or Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. For more information, visit the Delray Beach Historic Preservation Economic Incentive web page.

No. The City allows any general maintenance and interior alterations to be at the discretion of the property owner. Although, in order to ensure that the City’s designated properties retain their historical and architectural integrity, the Historic Preservation Board requires a review process for exterior alterations or additions to a historic structure or property. These reviews for approval, known as a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness, are reviewed for compliance either by the Historic Preservation Board or city Historic Preservation Division staff - depending on the extent of the work. Property owners can review the Certificate of Appropriateness application on-line and speak with staff regarding any questions they may have.

A property is considered "historic" by the City of Delray Beach if it is at least fifty years old and holds significance for its historical associations with a person, event, or trend in local, State, or National history or for its distinguished architectural merits including unique craftsmanship, materials, artistic value, or is the work of an architectural master.

The City of Delray Beach Historic Preservation Design Guidelines were produced to assist owners with recommended approaches to additions, alterations and design for new construction for both historic districts and individual sites.  Design guidelines are intended as a useful tool for design professionals, property owners, government officials and other interested parties. Because the guidelines address the character of historic property types in general, anyone who rehabilitates an older building can find relevant information in this guide. While the guidelines are especially directed to owners of properties that are listed in the Delray Beach Register of Historic Places, who are required to undergo a review process when changes to a historic building are made, they are equally useful to anyone who is involved in the rehabilitation of a vintage property.

Additionally, the city's Land Development Regulations provide guidance regarding the compatibility and appropriateness of modifications to a historic property in LDR Section 4.5.1.

Finally, the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings is a useful tool in determining the "Recommended" and the "Not Recommended" approach to modifying a historic structure or property.  The required Standards for Rehabilitation of a historic structure or property can be found within the document.  "The purpose of these guidelines is to provide guidance to historic building owners and building managers, preservation consultants, architects, contractors, and project reviewers prior to beginning work. It is always recommended that preservation professionals be consulted early in any project. The Guidelines are intended as an aid to assist in applying the Standards to all types of historic buildings."

Nominations for an individual property can be initiated by the property owner, the Historic Preservation Board or the City Commission. Nomination of a historic district can be initiated by the Historic Preservation Board or the City Commission. The nomination is then reviewed by the Historic Preservation Board and finally the City Commission for approval of the historic designation. Designation applications can be obtained at the Development Services Department.