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Gutters in Huntsville Historic Districts

Replacing gutters on a house in a Huntsville historic district may add a step that other homes don't have. The city's historic preservation page is the only agency page found that names house gutters, and it lists them for staff review. Call Historic Preservation at 256-650-4779 before work starts.

Which districts

The city lists Twickenham (1972), Old Town (1974), Five Points (1999) and Alabama A&M University as its historic districts. If you're not sure whether your house is inside one, ask the same office.

What the city's page says

The city's historic preservation application page (modified December 8, 2021) describes an "Expedited Staff Review" path. Gutters are on the list eligible for staff review without going to the Commission.

The same page says exterior work needs a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) or staff approval before a building permit. It also says reroofing with identical materials and color doesn't need a COA. It doesn't say the same for gutters.

An open question. The page lists gutters but doesn't say whether the staff review path applies to like-for-like replacement or only to changes. Call and ask: Historic Preservation, City Hall 4th Floor, 305 Fountain Circle, 256-650-4779.

Choices worth raising with staff

This Old House says half-round generally carries less volume at the same width, and Angi says it's more commonly used on historic homes. So if you're told to stay with half-round, run the numbers on capacity and outlets, since the calculator's K-style figures won't apply directly. Copper, if it comes up, runs a national $15 to $40+ per foot depending on the source.

A half-round copper gutter and round downspout on an older brick house
A half-round copper gutter and round downspout on an older brick house.

Box gutters built into the cornice are their own case. HomeAdvisor says box gutters with damaged soffit or cornice may favor replacement, and painting doesn't solve structural or performance issues. If yours has a built-in system, ask staff about it before you get a price.

A sensible order

  1. Call Historic Preservation at 256-650-4779 and describe the job.
  2. Ask whether your work needs staff approval, a COA or neither.
  3. Ask the Inspection Department at 256-427-5331 whether a building permit applies. Its FAQ doesn't name gutters.
  4. Have the contractor's written price reflect whatever staff approve, including material, shape and color.

The hiring guide has more to ask once you're talking with a contractor.

Questions homeowners ask

Do I need approval to replace gutters in Twickenham or Old Town?

Gutters are listed for staff review, but the page doesn't say how like-for-like replacement is treated. Call 256-650-4779.

Can I go to the Commission instead?

The page lists gutters as eligible for staff review without going to the Commission. Ask staff what applies to your work.

Does this apply outside these districts?

No. This page covers only the listed districts. For everywhere else in Huntsville, the Inspection Department is the office to call.

How this site helps: it passes your request to one independent local contractor. Approvals come from the city, and this site does no gutter work.

Sources

Want a quote on your gutters?

Call or use the short form. Whatever you describe goes to one independent local contractor, who gives you their own written price.

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