Historic Designation

Potentially eligible historic properties can receive designations usually in 3 ways: at a local, state or national level. State and national designations generally have more complex application submittal requirements and take longer to review/process than a local designation. Designation is determined by a number of factors but typically involves examining the property’s age, integrity, and significance.

Age and Integrity: Is the property old enough to be considered historic (usually at least 50 years old)? Does it still retain enough of its original appearance, features and materials much the way it did in the past?

Significance: Is the property associated with events, activities, or developments that were important in the past, and/or with the lives of people who were important in the past? Does the property have significant architectural history, landscape history, or broad achievements relevant to local, state, or national importance? Does it have the potential to yield information through archeological investigation about our past?

If you think you may have a great historic property, many cities have completed initial inventories of their historic resources. Your property may have already been surveyed and determined eligible for historic designation. This information is typically available through the local or county level planning departments.