Painting in Easton Historic Districts - Rules and Color Guidance

Published April 2026 - Joseph Assise III Painting & Wallpapering, Easton PA

Easton, Pennsylvania has some of the most beautiful 19th-century streetscapes in the Lehigh Valley. The West Ward, Centre Square, and surrounding historic neighborhoods are full of Federal, Italianate, and Victorian-era homes that were built to impress - and still do. But owning one of those homes comes with a layer of responsibility that most newer neighborhoods do not have: you may need approval before you paint.

We have worked on historic homes throughout Easton and the surrounding area for years. The questions we hear most often are: Do I need permission to repaint? What colors are allowed? And how do I choose a color that looks right on a 150-year-old house? This guide answers all of those questions clearly.

Does Easton Have a Historic District Review Process?

Yes. The City of Easton has a designated historic district overseen by the Easton Historic District Commission (HDC). If your property falls within the historic district boundary, exterior changes - including paint color - may require a Certificate of Appropriateness before work begins. This applies to anything visible from a public right-of-way.

The review process is not meant to be a burden. Its purpose is to ensure that changes made to historic properties are consistent with the architectural character of the neighborhood. In practice, painting is one of the more straightforward applications because it is reversible. The HDC is generally more strict about things like window replacement or adding synthetic siding.

That said, you should not assume approval is automatic. Submit your color selection in writing, with paint chips or manufacturer samples, before starting work. Your contractor should be familiar with this process - and we are.

How to Find Out If Your Property Is in the Historic District

The easiest approach is to check with the City of Easton's zoning or planning office. You can also look at the National Register of Historic Places listing for the Easton Historic District, which includes a map of the contributing properties. Your property deed or a quick call to City Hall will confirm your status.

Even if your home is not in the official district, it may fall within a local Conservation Zone or streetscape overlay that has its own design guidelines. When in doubt, check before you buy paint.

What Colors Are Appropriate for Historic Homes?

Historic paint colors are not just about following rules - they are about choosing colors that were actually used on these building types during their era of construction. A Victorian painted in neon colors looks jarring. A Federal-period home painted in a 1970s earth tone looks just as wrong. Getting the palette right requires understanding the architectural style of your specific house.

Here is a quick breakdown by style:

• Federal and Greek Revival (1790s-1850s): These homes favor restrained, classical palettes. White, cream, pale yellow, gray, and soft sage were period-accurate. Accent colors on shutters and doors were darker - deep green, black, dark red, or navy.
• Italianate (1840s-1880s): Richer and warmer tones were common - ochre, tan, brownstone, olive green, and warm terra cotta. Multiple body colors plus contrasting trim were typical of the style.
• Victorian / Queen Anne (1880s-1910s): The famous "Painted Lady" palette - three or more colors highlighting architectural detail. Deep golds, forest greens, burgundy, slate blue, and warm off-whites give these homes their character.
• Craftsman and Foursquare (1900s-1930s): Earth tones, muted greens, warm grays, brick red, and creamy off-whites. Craftsman homes look best with colors drawn from nature - nothing too bright or saturated.

Paint Lines Designed for Historic Accuracy

Several major paint manufacturers offer historically accurate color collections specifically designed for period homes. These are worth using because the colors have been researched against actual historical records and paint analysis from preserved buildings.

• Benjamin Moore Historical Colors: A collection of 191 colors drawn from Colonial and Victorian-era documentation. Widely used on historic preservation projects nationwide.
• Sherwin-Williams Preservation Palette: Curated colors from American architectural periods from the 1700s through the early 1900s.
• Fine Paints of Europe: Used on many museum-quality restorations. More expensive but exceptional quality and finish depth, which looks appropriate on detailed Victorian millwork.

For most Easton historic district applications, a Benjamin Moore or Sherwin-Williams historic collection will meet HDC expectations and look excellent on the house. We can bring physical chips and fan decks to your home during a color consultation so you can see how the options look against your specific stone, brick, or wood.

Prep and Product Considerations for Old Homes

Historic homes present real technical challenges beyond color selection. Many have multiple layers of old paint - sometimes 10 or more coats going back decades. Lead paint is common in homes built before 1978, which includes most of Easton's historic stock.

Before any scraping, sanding, or prep work begins on a pre-1978 home, a lead paint assessment is recommended. Disturbing lead paint without proper containment creates a health and legal liability. Pennsylvania requires contractors working on pre-1978 homes to follow EPA RRP (Renovation, Repair, and Painting) rules if lead is present or suspected. We are EPA RRP certified, which matters on historic work.

Exterior wood on old homes often has:

• Failed paint at windowsills and corner trim that requires scraping back to bare wood
• Soft or punky wood that needs consolidant and epoxy filler before painting
• Gaps at siding seams and trim joints that need caulk appropriate for wood movement
• Chalking old paint that requires a bonding primer before new topcoats will adhere

Cutting corners on prep for an old home is worse than cutting corners on a newer home. Old paint films are thicker and more brittle. New paint applied over failing old paint will fail faster than it would on a well-prepped new surface.

The Color Approval Process - What to Expect

If your property requires HDC review, the general process works like this: you submit an application to the city with photos of your home and paint samples (physical chips are better than digital renderings). The commission meets on a regular schedule and reviews your application. Routine repaints in historically appropriate colors are typically approved administratively or at the next meeting without a hearing. More unusual requests may require a brief presentation.

We recommend starting the process at least 4 to 6 weeks before you want work to begin. Rush applications are sometimes possible but not guaranteed. Your painter should not schedule your job before approval is in hand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need approval to repaint my historic home the same color?

It depends on your specific district and its rules. Some HDCs do not require approval for like-for-like repaints, while others require any exterior change to be reviewed. Contact the City of Easton's zoning office or historic district administrator to confirm what applies to your property before scheduling work.

Can I use modern exterior paint on a historic home?

Yes, and you generally should. Modern 100% acrylic exterior paints have far better adhesion, flexibility, and mildew resistance than historic oil-based formulations. The key is using a historically appropriate color, not a historically formulated product. The HDC cares about what the house looks like, not what specific brand you use.

What if my home has asbestos siding under old paint?

Asbestos cement shingles were common on homes from the 1930s through 1970s. If intact and in good condition, they can often be painted over safely - the risk comes from cutting, sanding, or breaking them. A professional abatement assessment is recommended if the siding is damaged or if any work will disturb it. Do not attempt to scrape or sand asbestos siding as a DIY project.

How do I pick between three body colors for a Victorian?

The classic Victorian approach uses a primary body color, a secondary color for larger trim elements like cornices and window surrounds, and a third accent color for smaller details and the front door. A good starting point is to anchor the palette around the fixed colors you cannot change - brick color, stone, roofing material - and build outward from there. We offer in-person color consultations and can bring historic fan decks to help you visualize combinations before committing.

Is historic district painting more expensive?

It can be, for a few reasons. Lead paint containment and RRP compliance adds time and cost. Old homes typically require more prep work - more scraping, more wood repairs, more primer. And the HDC review process adds planning time before work starts. A reputable contractor will give you a thorough estimate that accounts for these factors rather than pricing low and hitting you with change orders later.