7. What does “visible” from a public way mean?

Answer

Answer: Regarding what determines visibility from a public way, the Commission’s policy is as follows:

1. a) A Certificate of Appropriateness is required for only those parts of a structure that are visible from a public way. 
2. b) If any portion of a structure is visible at any time of year (e.g., during the winter when trees have lost their leaves), a Certificate of Appropriateness is necessary for any changes to be made. 
3. c) Certificates of Appropriateness for structures that are hidden from a public way by easily removed or altered plants (e.g., shrubs) are considered on a case-by-case basis.