What the commission reviews, and what it does not
The Historic District Commission reviews exterior architectural changes in New Haven’s local districts. Wooster Square’s local district dates from 1970, and the New Haven Preservation Trust notes that here the local and National Register districts cover the same area. That is not true of every district, so do not assume it elsewhere. The district is also only part of the neighborhood, so check your own block.
| Kitchen item | Inside or outside | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Cabinets, counters, flooring, lighting | Inside | Interior finish work is not what the commission reviews. The building office still decides on permits. |
| A range hood vent or any new exhaust opening | Outside, where it leaves the wall or roof | Ask the commission before you order, because a new opening changes the exterior. |
| A replacement window over the sink | Outside | Ask what the commission expects for windows on your building. |
| A back door, rear stair or small addition | Outside | Ask the commission, and the building and zoning offices, before design starts. |
Rowhouses, conversions and shared walls
The district holds a concentration of nineteenth-century houses, including Italianate rowhouses, and some buildings have been divided into condominiums or apartments. In a rowhouse the party walls and the roof are shared, and a stack of plumbing may serve more than one kitchen. Ask your remodeler to trace where the sink drain and the range vent run before you fix the layout, and read the small kitchen page if the room is narrow.
Flood notes for the neighborhood
The regional hazard mitigation plan for New Haven lists the Downtown and Wooster Square/Mill River area among those prone to coastal flooding. The city’s flood brochure asks builders to check with the City Plan Department before building so that flood requirements are met. Look at the FEMA layer on the city’s map, and ask your remodeler how the plan treats lower cabinets, flooring and appliances.
Questions from Wooster Square homeowners
Does the Historic District Commission review interior kitchen work?
The commission reviews exterior architectural changes. Cabinets, counters and flooring are interior work, which is a building office matter. If the project touches the outside, ask the commission first.
Can I add a vent hood outlet on the front wall?
Ask before you plan it. A new opening on a street-facing wall changes the exterior, which is what the commission reviews. A remodeler can often propose another route, such as a rear wall or a recirculating hood, and you can compare.
How do I know if my house is in the district?
Look up your address on the city’s interactive map, and ask the City Plan Department if it is near a boundary. Do not rely on the neighborhood name alone.