Board of Architectural Review Navigation
If your retrofit involves exterior plumbing work—a new vent stack, external piping, or modifications to the building envelope—the Board of Architectural Review (BAR) must approve your plans. We handle the submittals, drawings, and coordination with the Design Review staff.
What requires ARB approval?
In Charleston's Old and Historic District and other BAR-regulated areas, most plumbing changes require a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA). Specifically:
- Interior-only work (stack replacement entirely inside walls, water service inside foundation) — typically does not require BAR approval
- Exterior work (new vent stack visible on roof, exposed piping on building facade, external foundation penetrations) — requires formal BAR application
- Uncertain cases (stack that approaches the roof line, modifications to a historic chimney) — we check with BAR staff before you commit
When in doubt, we contact the Department of Planning, Preservation & Sustainability (phone: 843-579-6415) and ask. Better to get clarity upfront than discover mid-project that approval was needed.
The BAR approval process
Pre-application consultation (1 week)
We meet with BAR staff to discuss your project and confirm what documentation is required. This is free and non-binding, but it saves time later.
Prepare application & drawings (2–3 weeks)
We create site plans, elevations, and detail drawings showing exactly what the work will look like. These drawings must be clear and to scale. The BAR wants to understand aesthetics: color, finish, visible materials.
Submit to BAR (day 1 of waiting period)
Applications are submitted to the Design Review staff. There's a 30-day public comment period (you'll receive a notice). The BAR reviews the submission at their bi-weekly meeting.
BAR review meeting (2–4 weeks after submission)
The BAR reviews your submittal at a public meeting. You (or your architect) can attend and answer questions. Most plumbing work is straightforward and is approved on consent. Some projects require a discussion.
Approval or revision (varies)
Approval comes as a Certificate of Appropriateness. If revisions are requested, we make them and resubmit (usually faster the second time). Rejections are rare for plumbing work.
What makes a strong BAR submittal
Clear drawings. The BAR needs to see exactly where the new vent stack will be located, how it relates to existing chimneys or roof lines, and what material and finish it will have. We provide elevation drawings, section drawings, and material specifications.
Historic context. We explain why the work is necessary and how it minimizes visual impact. "This is a code-required upgrade that we're routing to be concealed from the public street and coordinated with existing architectural features."
Material compatibility. If new piping will be visible, we specify materials and finishes that are compatible with the building's era and style. Cast iron for masonry buildings, copper for colonial homes, etc.
Precedent. If similar work has been approved on nearby buildings, we reference those approvals. The BAR appreciates consistency.
Cost of approval
BAR application fees are typically $50–$200 depending on the complexity of work. We prepare and submit the application as part of our estimation. No surprises.
Timeline expectations
From your initial site visit to BAR approval, expect 6–10 weeks if exterior work is required. Interior-only projects move much faster (4–6 weeks to completion).
The BAR process itself (30-day review + meeting scheduling) typically takes 4–6 weeks. We manage that timeline and keep you informed.