Obtain local landmark/historic district approval for repointing mortar color and joint profile changes

Steps

1. Determine whether the building is within a local historic district or individually landmarked, since repointing color/joint-profile changes on such buildings typically require a Certificate of Appropriateness (or the local jurisdiction's equivalent) before work begins.
2. Contact the local landmarks/historic preservation commission directly to confirm current submission requirements, since these vary significantly by jurisdiction and are set locally, not by NPS.
3. Prepare submission materials showing existing conditions and the proposed mortar color/mix analysis and joint profile, generally referencing the Secretary of the Interior's Standards as the review benchmark most local commissions use.
4. Build and get sign-off on a sample panel matching the proposed mortar and profile, since many commissions condition approval on a field-verified sample rather than paper submittals alone.
5. Do not begin the reviewed repointing work before receiving written approval, since unauthorized work on a landmarked building can result in stop-work orders or required remediation.