Landmark Nominations

Historic landmark designation at the federal, state, and/or local level enables the owners and developers of historic resources to take advantage of historic tax incentives when they rehabilitate historic structures in compliance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.  Historic landmark status also enables property owners to contribute a preservation easement, which can offer substantial tax savings and is the only existing mechanism that actively protects a historic structure from demolition, insensitive alterations, and neglect. Finally, landmark status can enhance the prestige and value of a property, and numerous studies have demonstrated the positive effect an historic district designation has on property values.

When Should You Incorporate a Landmark Nomination Into Your Project?

•You are planning to perform a rehabilitation of an unlisted historic income earning property and would like to use federal tax credits to offset the cost.

•You own a historically significant home that is not listed and you would like to use state tax credits to offset the cost of rehabilitation. (Available tax credits vary by state.)

•You are planning to market a redeveloped property and would like to distinguish the property with a landmark listing that enhances the building’s prestige.

What Types of Designations Are Available?

FEDERAL

•Listing on the National Register of Historic Places enables a property owner to take advantage of federal tax credits for incoming producing properties.

•Listing on the National Register does not include any kind of additional legal limitations or requirements for the owner.

•Under federal law, all federal, state, and local agencies must assess the impact of any proposed project on listed landmarks if the project receives federal funding.

STATE

•State designation opportunities vary. Consult your state historic preservation office for information about your state’s program.

LOCAL

•Municipalities may enact local preservation ordinances.

•While local ordinances vary, most commissions require owners to have any exterior alterations reviewed by a committee that may have either advisory or approval authority.

•Demolitions typically require commission approval.