The following are the most frequently asked National Register questions. The answers are brief and are intended to address a wide range of questions. You may direct more specific questions to the State Historic Preservation Office.
It means that your property has been documented and evaluated according to federal standards and listed in the National Register because it is significant in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering or culture.
Listing a property gives it recognition and may change the way people or communities view historic properties. The National Register is sometimes criticized because it does not bring greater protection. Listing does not interfere with an owner's right to alter, or dispose of their property if they use their own money.
The Preservation Office encourages owners of historic properties to contact the office if they have questions about changes they are thinking of making to their property. Staff would like to work with them so that the changes respect the historic character of the property.
No. The property owner may maintain the property as they choose following local requirements.
No. Owning a property listed in the National Register does not impose a regulatory burden on the property owner. Should a property that is listed in the National Register become damaged or be destroyed, there is no state or federal requirement that the property be rebuilt or repaired to reflect its historic appearance. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has posted a webinar with useful information on insuring historic properties. The SHPO does not endorse or recommend the National Trust insurance service over any other.
Typical damage, such as a fallen tree, a burglary, vandalism, water or smoke damage, or other private incidents are not the type of action generally considered subject to government oversight as it will not receive any federal licensing, permitting, or funding. If a property is within a Federal- and/or State-declared disaster area the homeowner and their insurance company are likely to work with disaster response agencies. Please contact NRHP staff (SHPONRHP.ADM@state.mn.us) if you need more detailed information.
No.
Properties are removed from the National Register only if they lose the qualities they had at the time of listing. Properties have been removed if they have been destroyed by fire or storms, or have been substantially altered. Properties are automatically removed from the Register if they have been moved.
Yes. It is not required that the Preservation Office be notified when National Register property is sold, purchased, or inherited.
A property owner can apply for a 20% tax credit on their federal income tax if they rehabilitate a property, which is listed in the National Register and is income producing (commercial or rental). It is required that the rehabilitation follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. Contact the Preservation Office for more information. Rehabilitation of a private, owner occupied residence does not qualify for tax credits. Information on the federal tax credit is available online at: http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/tax.
Federal grants are currently unavailable. If federal funding levels increase, and grants are once again available, only National Register listed properties will be eligible to apply.
Non-profit organizations and local units of government can apply for State Grants. Here again, properties must be listed in the National Register to be eligible. Information on state and local grants is available. Sometimes grants can be available at the local level. It is important to check with your local housing assistance programs to inquire if funds are available.
The Preservation Office does not manage a low interest loan or mortgage program. It is important to check with local housing assistance programs or financial institutions to determine if low interest financial assistance is available.
No. The decision to create an ordinance which would establish a preservation commission rests entirely with the local government and its residents.
A property listed in the National Register is not exempt from state and local building codes. The local building inspector may allow some variance for significant historic building features that do not meet modern building codes provided the features do not pose a health or safety hazard. Interpretation is at the discretion of the local building official.
If a National Register property is open to the public, ADA calls for the building to meet basic levels of accessibility for people with disabilities. While the law requires the removal of certain barriers, it does have special provisions for historic structures where changes would destroy a building's significant historic features.
