National Register FAQs

  1. If my home is listed in the National Register, can I still paint it the color I want, remodel, or make an addition?
    2. Yes. The National Register program does not place any restrictions on how homeowners can treat or dispose of their properties. Where review of alterations may occur is at the local governmental level, if the jurisdiction has historic preservation statutes as part of the local codes. Generally, this occurs in the form of project review by a commission of elected, volunteer, or appointed residents of the community. These commissioners are familiar with historic buildings and historic preservation. Depending on the wording of the local statute, the commission may be empowered to certify or comment on proposed alterations or demolitions.

    In practice, these commissions generally are most concerned when demolition of a historically significant house is proposed, and will often seek various avenues to save the house. Issues such as painting or minor additions that do not make extreme alterations to historic homes are seldom of concern. Such meetings are open to the public, and have established procedures for appeals of commission decisions. Most people who are interested in having their homes listed in the National Register, do so because they appreciate them, and aren’t interested in demolishing them anyway!
  2. Does listing in the National Register allow the government to force me to maintain it?
    3. No. In fact, listing in the National Register makes available a number of grants and programs from state and federal governments that can provide funding, technical guidance, or expertise to homeowners so that they can make needed maintenance projects more affordable and historically appropriate to their homes. The government cannot force homeowners to maintain or restore their homes beyond whatever local building codes require for all structures.
  3. Does listing in the National Register provide any protections to my property?
    4. Sometimes, it depends on whether local ordinances mandate additional review of construction projects involving NR properties, but it is not a guarantee against demolition. Also, Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, passed in 1966, requires that any project undertaken by, funded in full or in part by federal money, or requiring any federal permitting must consider the impact that the project may have on buildings listed in or eligible for the National Register. Other laws, such as the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and the Department of Transportation Act (DOTA) also provide various levels of protections for properties listed in the National Register from various governmental projects that may affect them.
  1. What are the benefits of listing a building in the National Register?
    2. In addition to possible protections noted earlier, there are a variety of grants and tax incentive programs available from both the federal and Oregon governments for maintaining National Register-listed properties. Some owners of buildings that are listed in the National Register are eligible for federal income tax credits if they undertake rehabilitation projects that meet the standards established to guide such projects in a way that is sensitive to the historic nature of the building. Tax credits can reach up to 20% of the proposed project, and can often make preserving a historic building more economically sound than replacing it with a new building. Also, Oregon offers owners of buildings listed in the National Register the opportunity to qualify for a ten-year property tax “freeze.” This program is available in conjunction with the federal tax program, and taken together, can save owners of NR-listed building significant amounts of money. Historic buildings can also be granted certain leniency or variances from some building codes.
  2. Does being part of a National Register Historic District carry the same benefits as listing my building individually?
    3. In terms of programs, protections, and qualifications, there is no functional difference between a building listed in the National Register on its own merits, or as a contributing part of a broader historic district.
  3. Who can nominate a building for listing in the National Register, and can I keep my home from being listed?
    4. Anyone can prepare a nomination for listing in the National Register; however, because the process can be long and complex, and the documentation required can be fairly involved, it is often recommended that home owners consult with a historic preservation professional. A privately-owned home cannot be listed in the National Register individually without the consent of the owner. Establishment of historic districts is subject to the approval of a majority of property owners within the proposed district. If a majority approval is not achieved, the district cannot be listed, however, if a majority is reached, the historic district can be listed over the objections of the minority.

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