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What Is the National Register?
The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the official list of the nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA) authorized the National Register. The program coordinates efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic resources. Researchers have added over 99,000 places to the list since its creation.
What Can Be Listed?
Listed sites can include districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects. Places can be listed for their importance to local, statewide, or national history. The National Register recognizes historic places that help tell our full American story. The program makes information about the sites available to the public. Guidance and incentives also help owners care for their listed properties.
Who Decides?
Listing a property in the National Register is a federal historic designation. The National Park Service (NPS) manages the program, with help from the states. In North Carolina, the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) helps owners through the process. The SHPO reviews nominations and makes recommendations to NPS for a final decision.
Contact the NC SHPO for more information about the National Register listing.
Program Benefits
National Register-listed properties can receive relevant grants and historic rehabilitation tax credits. Contact the NC SHPO to learn more about the tax credit program and find out if your property and project qualify. Any nearby projects using federal funds must also mitigate potential impacts to places on the National Register.
Beyond those incentives, the National Register of Historic Places is mostly honorary. No extra local regulations come with the National Register listing. A property's use, sale, or property tax is also not limited or increased. Design review approval for changes to the property, including demolition, is not required.
Federal vs. Local Historic Designation
Federal-level and local historic designations are very different. Different government groups manage the two programs. The National Park Service (NPS) manages the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Raleigh City Council designates local historic districts (HODs) and Raleigh Historic Landmarks (RHLs). The programs have different decision-makers and application processes. They often also have different priorities and criteria for designating a historic place.
Some historic properties may receive both types of designation. However, receiving one recognition does not guarantee the other. There is no direct correlation between National Register listing and local historic designation.
Local designation requires a design review process for exterior changes to the property. This design review is a Certificate of Appropriateness. Raleigh Historic Landmark designation provides a 50% property tax deferral from the county.