What the Northcrest Historic Designation Means for Northcrest Neighbors

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation's historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America's historic and archeological resources.
To be considered eligible, a property must meet the National Register Criteria for Evaluation. This involves examining the property’s age, integrity, and significance.
The National Register nomination process usually starts with your State Historic Preservation Office* (SHPO), in this case for the state of Georgia. Proposed nominations are reviewed by Georgia’s historic preservation office and the state’s National Register Review Board. The length of the state process varies but will take a minimum of 90 days. Complete nominations, with certifying recommendations, are submitted by the state to the National Park Service in Washington, D.C. for final review and listing by the Keeper of the National Register of Historic Places. The National Park Service makes a listing decision within 45 days.

How the Historic Designation Benefits You

Listing in the National Register of Historic Places provides formal recognition of a property’s historical, architectural, or archeological significance based on national standards used by every state. Results include:

Becoming part of the National Register Archives, a public, searchable database that provides a wealth of research information.
Encouraging preservation of historic resources by documenting a property’s historic significance.
Providing opportunities for specific preservation incentives, such as:

Federal preservation grants for planning and rehabilitation
Federal investment tax credits
Preservation easements to nonprofit organizations
International Building Code fire and life safety code alternatives

Possible State tax benefit and grant opportunities. See below for the Georgia historic property incentives available.
Involvement from the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation when a Federal agency project may affect historic property.
Find out information on the care and maintenance of your historic property through various NPS Preservation Briefs and Tech Notes.
Network with other historic property owners, tour historic areas, or chat with preservationists through Conferences, Workshops, and Preservation Organizations.
Celebrate your listing by ordering a bronze plaque that distinguishes your property as listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

What the Historic Designation Does Not Do

Under Federal Law, the listing of a property in the National Register places no restrictions on what a non-federal owner may do with their property up to and including destruction, unless the property is involved in a project that receives Federal assistance, usually funding or licensing/permitting.
National Register listing does not lead to public acquisition or require public access.
A property will not be listed if, for individual properties, the owner objects, or for districts, a majority of property owners object.
National Register listing does not automatically invoke local historic district zoning or local landmark designation.
Federal Regulation 36 CFR 60 authorizes the National Register of Historic Places.
Contact the Georgia State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) for any specific state rules or regulations

Tax Incentives

Note that only properties contributing to the Northcrest Historic District are eligible for these tax incentives. Currently there are 557 of 674 Contributing Homes – please check with the list available on the NorthcrestCivicAssocation.com website under the History topic to see if your home is contributing or non-contributing.

Federal Tax Incentives

Two federal tax incentive programs (Public Law 99-514) currently apply to preservation activities: the Rehabilitation Investment Tax Credit (RITC) program, and the Charitable Contribution Deduction.
The Rehabilitation Investment Tax Credit program effectively reduces the costs of rehabilitation to an owner of a historic income-producing property. The charitable contribution deduction is a donation of the historic value of a structure and is available to owners of both residential and income-producing properties.

The charitable contribution deduction is taken in the form of a conservation easement and enables the owner of a “certified historic structure” to receive a one-time tax deduction. A conservation easement ensures the preservation of a building’s facade by restricting the right to alter its appearance. Qualified professionals should be consulted on the matters of easement valuations and the tax consequences of their donation.

http://www.georgiashpo.org/incentives/tax/federal

State Tax Incentives

The Georgia Preferential Property Tax Assessment Program for Rehabilitated Historic Property allows eligible participants to apply for an 8 1/2 -year property tax assessment freeze. The Georgia Preferential Property Tax Assessment Program Fact Sheet provides an overview of the state tax abatement program and those properties that may be eligible to apply for this incentive.

The Georgia State Income Tax Credit Program for Rehabilitated Historic Property allows eligible participants to apply for a state income tax credit equaling 25% of qualifying rehabilitation expenses capped at $100,000 for personal, residential properties, and $300,000 for income-producing properties. * Important changes have recently been made to the Georgia State Income Tax Credit Program. For information, see our Tax Incentives page.

http://www.georgiashpo.org/incentives/tax/state

What the Northcrest Historic Designation Means for Northcrest Neighbors