What kinds of significance must properties
have in order to be registered?
Properties important in history, prehistory, architectural history, engineering
history, archaeology, or culture may be entered in the National Register.
In other words, a property associated with the history of a community may
be listed, and so can a prehistoric archaeological site, an example of
a type of architecture, landscape architecture, or an engineering process,
or a place of continuing but traditional cultural importance to a community
(e.g., a place associated with an American Indian tradition or a well-preserved
rural landscape).
The Register includes properties determined to have significance at
the national, State, and local levels. In other words, although the Register
is "National," it is designed to include properties of importance to the
people of the nation where they live, in their communities, not just great
national landmarks. A general store, your community's park, its mainstreet,
or its Indian mound, may be just as eligible for inclusion in the National
Register as Independence Hall or Gettysburg Battlefield.
How Does a Property Get Registered?
Anyone can prepare a nomination application. New Jersey and National Register
applications are typically prepared by individuals, cultural/historical
organizations, government agencies, professional consultants, and historic
sites surveyors. Completed applications are submitted to the Historic Preservation
Office, whose staff reviews and evaluates them for eligibility and adequate
documentation, and prioritizes them for final processing. Property owners
and county and local officials are notified and given an opportunity to
comment, and a public meeting is held for historic districts. Applications
are then presented to the New Jersey Review Board for Historic Sites, which
is made up of professionals in the fields of architecture, history, architectural
history, and archaeology. If passed by the State Review Board, the application
is prepared for the SHPO's signature. Once signed by the SHPO, the property
is listed on the New Jersey Register and simultaneously recommended for
the National Register. The nomination is then sent to Washington for consideration
for the National Register.
What Are the benefits of being on the
National Register?
Inclusion on the National Register enables the owner of a property to take
advantage of several financial benefits. The Tax Reform Act of 1986 permits
owners and some lessees of historic buildings to take a 20% income tax
credit on the cost of rehabilitating such buildings for industrial, commercial
or rental residential purposes. The rehabilitated building must be a certified
historic structure that is subject to depreciation, and the rehabilitation
must be certified as meeting standards established by the National Park
Service. Click Here for more information on the
tax benefits
What if an Owner Objects to a Property
Being Listed?
Listing on the New Jersey and National Registers does not place restrictions
on private property owner rights. Within the limits of local municipal
zoning laws, private property owners can do anything they wish with their
property, provided no federal or state license, permit, or funding is involved.
If a private property owner (or a majority of private property owners
in a historic district) objects to National Register listing by notarized
letter to the SHPO, the nomination is sent to the National Register Office
for a Determination of Eligibility, but the property is not listed on the
National Register. A Determination of Eligibility provides for review of
federally sponsored encroachments as detailed previously, but tax benefits
will not apply unless the property is actually listed on the National Register.
If a private property owner (or a majority of owners in a historic
district) objects to New Jersey Register listing by notarized letter to
the SHPO, the property may still be listed on the New Jersey Register.
However, the owner's objections will be given thorough consideration by
the SHPO before making any decision.
What are Certified Local Governments
(CLGs)?
In 1980 Congress amended the National Historic Preservation Act to require
that each state pass through 10 percent of its annual grant to local governments
certified as having outstanding local preservation programs. At a minimum,
each CLG establishes its own volunteer commission and enacts a preservation
ordinance tailored to local needs. A CLG can go so far as to assume from
the state office responsibility for National Register nominations and Section
106 consultation for its jurisdiction. Since 1980 over 1,500 local governments
have chosen to participate, more for recognition than for the modest pass-through
grant money.
What is the New Jersey Register of
Historic Places?
The New Jersey Register of Historic Places is the official list of New
Jersey's historic resources of local, state, and national interest. Created
by the New Jersey Register of Historic Places Act of 1970, the New Jersey
Register is closely modeled after the National Register Program. Both Registers
have the same criteria for eligibility, nomination form, and review process.
Virtually every municipality in New Jersey has properties significant in
architecture, history, archaeology, engineering and/or culture that are
eligible for the New Jersey and National Registers.
What are the benefits of being on the
New Jersey Register?
The New Jersey and National Registers provide a degree of review and protection
from public encroachment. Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation
Act of 1966, as amended, provides for review of any federally licensed,
financed or assisted undertaking for properties listed on, or eligible
for listing on, the National Register. The New Jersey Register law requires
review of any state, county or municipal undertaking involving properties
listed on the New Jersey Register. These reviews are designed to prevent
destruction or damage of historic resources by public agencies. Registered
historic properties located in the Pinelands are automatically designated
as "historic resources of significance" subject to review by the Pinelands
Commission.
Furthermore, Historic Preservation Bond Fund matching grants and low
interest loans for rehabilitation and restoration are available to state,
county and municipal agencies and non-profit organizations with properties
listed on the New Jersey Register.
