Jim, I think I understand what you are trying to do, but you may be overstating your intentions by using the words chosen (or maybe not, you decide)
to establish some level of standards for renovation and rehabilitation of older homes
This would imply that you are going to reinvent the wheel by coming up with you own code and standards that people could meet and avoid the local AHJ.
I think the real purpose (correct me if I am wrong) would be to summarize the laws (codes) that are in place and where the line would be drawn on having to get city inspections and be out bunches of money for repairs.
For example, paint, floor covering and new light fixtures would not trigger the need for a permit and inspections. Moving walls, rewiring, etc. would cross the line in most areas.
If a summary of the rules is what you have in mind, I would still be disclaiming out the wazoo lest someone come after the author(s) of the summary when the summary turns out to be wrong.