The Differences in National, Local and State Historic Places

There is a difference...

From a property owner's viewpoint, there are substantial differences between owning a property which is listed in a National Register Historic District and one that is designated as part of a Local Historic District:

THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES

is the list of individual buildings, sites, structures and objects, as well as districts with recognized significance in history, prehistory, and architecture. This is a federal program administered by the Secretary of the Interior through the Department of Natural Resources and the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO).

Listing in the Register

* recognizes that the resource is important to the history of the local community, the state, or the nation

* allows the owners of income-producing properties certain federal tax incentives for renovation

* provides limited protection from adverse effects by federally funded, licensed, or assisted projects

* in no way limits the owner's use of the property unless public funding is used. If your property is listed in the National Register you may do anything there are no added restrictions to the use of your property.

* the district cannot be listed if a majority of property owners submit notarized objections to the State Office.
 

LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICTS

are established and administered by the City of Athens and the Athens Historic Preservation Commission. Their purpose is to preserve the unique characteristics of the buildings and their surroundings and to encourage the builders of new structures in the districts to choose architectural designs which complement the historic buildings.

Inclusion in a Local Historic District:

* recognizes the property's relationship to an area that has distinctive historic character

* provides for the review of proposed exterior changes by the City of Athens Historic Preservation Commission. When changes are to be made, the owner must acquire a Certificate of Appropriateness for the proposed work. Applications must be received by the Historic Preservation Officer by the first Wednesday of the month and will be considered by the Commission at their regular meeting on the third Wednesday of the month.

* Certificates of Appropriateness must be obtained for both demolition of a building or structure and construction within a district.
 

 STATE REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
 

Properties on the National Register are automatically included in the State Register of Historic Places.

Listing in the State Register:

* Entitles the owner to an eight-year freeze on property tax assessment for properties that have undergone substantial rehabilitation.
 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q. Can a property be designated both as a part of a National Register Historic District and as part of a Local Historic District?

A. Yes. In this case, property owners receive all the benefits from the federal listing and their property is subject to local regulations governing historic districts.

Q. Would listing in either district restrict the use or sale of my property?

A. No. Only local zoning ordinances restrict the use of the property.

Q. If my property is in a Local Historic District, can I paint it any color I want?

A. Yes. The Historic Preservation Ordinance does not restrict ordinary maintenance of the buildings. Painting is an example of ordinary maintenance. If your work requires a Building Permit or if it includes significant alterations, such as changing the windows and doors, or changes in material, such as from metal to asphalt roofing, you will need a Certificate of Appropriateness.

Q. If I am unhappy with the decision of the Commission concerning my Certificate of Appropriateness Application, may I appeal?

A. Yes. Appeals may be made to City Council and then to the Superior Court of the County.
 
 


FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Athens Historic Preservation Commission

Julie D. Morgan, Historic Preservation Officer
Athens Clarke County Planning Office
155 E. Washington St.
Athens, GA 30601
(404) 354-2950