National Register
- What Florida properties are listed in the National Register?
- Do I have to obtain local and state registration before I can apply for National Register listing?
- Is there a Florida state register?
- How will I know if my property is being considered for listing in the National Register?
- Can my property be listed in the National Register against my will?
- Is there a deadline for submitting my nomination proposal?
- What are Certified Local Governments, and how do they fit into the National Register process?
- How long does it take to get a property through the nomination process?
- How does the National Register fit in with the Federal Rehabilitation Income Tax Credit process?
- How can I obtain a National Register plaque?
- My property is in a National Register district, but can I get it listed individually?
Q: What Florida properties are listed in the National Register?
A: For the current roster of properties listed in the National Register, please visit the National Park Service’s National Register page at nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/index.htm, and follow the links to their Database/Research page. The database can be searched by location or name. There, you will find the names of properties that are individually listed and the names of districts that are listed. Properties that are listed because they contribute to the significance of a district (there are thousands of them) are not included in the roster. Though not seen on the roster, those properties are, indeed, listed in the National Register and enjoy the same recognition and benefits derived from individual listing. Information about those properties can be found in the district nominations. Information may also be found by visiting the Florida Master Site File webpage or calling 850.245.6440.
Q: Do I have to obtain local and state registration before I can apply for National Register listing?
A: No. Nominations for listing in the National Register can be sent to the Bureau of Historic Preservation without any other prior designations.
Q: Is there a Florida state register?
A: No, Florida does not have a separate state register. Sometimes the Florida Master Site File is mistakenly thought to be a state register, but it is merely an inventory of recorded properties that are generally at least fifty years old. Unlike a register, no level of significance is required to be included in the Florida Master Site File.
Q: How will I know if my property is being considered for listing in the National Register?
A: Most properties are nominated by their owners, or in the case of districts, by the local government, the local preservation organization, or a neighborhood homeowners association. When districts are being considered, the idea of submitting a nomination is often discussed at a series of public meetings, something the Bureau strongly recommends. We also encourage discussion of the proposed district in the local media. This keeps the properties owners informed and gives them a chance to find out what the listing will and will not mean to them. If a district has fewer than 50 property owners, the Bureau of Historic Preservation will send them a letter to notify them of the scheduled review of the nomination at least 30 days before the review is held. Any interested parties are invited to attend this public meeting. If a district has more than 50 property owners, this notification is done through the publication of a legal notice in the local newspaper rather than by letter.
Q: Can my property be listed in the National Register against my will?
A: Individually nominated properties cannot be listed without owner consent. Most properties are nominated by their property owner. When districts are nominated, private property owners are provided an opportunity to object by sending the State Historic Preservation Officer a notarized letter stating they are the owner of their parcel and wish to object. Federal regulations provide that properties can be listed only if a majority of their property owners do not formally object to the listing. Only if a majority of the owners send in such a letter will the district not be nominated. The nomination may still be submitted to obtain a formal Determination of Eligibility (DOE) to be listed. DOE’s provide the same protections given to listed properties, but do not provide eligibility for tax benefits. If a majority of property owners do not submit formal objections, all contributing properties (those that are considered historic and part of what makes the district eligible for listing) will be listed in the National Register, even if their owners formally objected.
Q: Is there a deadline for submitting my nomination proposal?
A: No, there is no deadline. Proposals are received by our staff on a continual basis. Normally, proposals require revisions and our staff will work closely with you to make any necessary changes. We schedule proposals for review by the Florida National Register Review Board after those changes are made. Furthermore, Federal regulations require that we notify owners and local officials that a property will be reviewed by the Florida National Register Review Board at least 30 days before the Review Board meeting. For properties located within a Certified Local Government (see below), a “ready for Board review” proposal may need to be ready at least 60 days before it is taken before the Board.
Q: What are Certified Local Governments, and how do they fit into the National Register process?
A: Certified Local Governments (CLGs) are cities or counties that have applied for designation by the National Park Service as community that has a certified historic preservation program. Nominations for properties in a community with CLG status must be reviewed by the local review board and signed off on by the chief elected official. If a proposal has not gone through this process beforehand, the Bureau must send the proposal to the CLG at least 60 days before it is reviewed by the Florida National Register Review Board to complete the local review. We strongly encourage nominators to work with their local preservation staffs before sending a nomination proposal to the Bureau.
For more information about Certified Local Governments and these processes, please visit the Certified Local Governments page of this website.
Q: How long does it take to get a property through the nomination process?
A: It can take anywhere from 4 months up to a year, depending on the nature of the property, how quickly the necessary information can be properly assembled, when the Florida National Register Review Board meets, and the workload of our limited staff.
Q: How does the National Register fit in with the Federal Rehabilitation Income Tax Credit process?
A: Eligibility for the 20% Federal rehabilitation income tax credit program requires that a property be income-producing and listed, or soon to be listed in the National Register. Enough materials and historic characteristics must remain for a building to be considered eligible for the tax program. Properties, whether using the tax credit program or not, should be nominated after they renovations are completed. A property is nominated based on its condition at the time of the nomination. For more information about the Federal income tax credit, visit: nps.gov/tps/tax-incentives.htm, or call the Bureau at 850.245.6333.
Q: How can I obtain a National Register plaque?
A: National Register plaques can be purchased from numerous private vendors. Most of them have sites on the Internet and can be contacted directly. The National Park Service has a non-comprehensive list of vendors on their National Register FAQ page.
Q: My property is in a National Register district, but can I get it listed individually?
A: If a property is a contributing resource in the district, it is already fully listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is given the same level of consideration as properties that are individually listed. Because there are no added benefits for individually listed properties, the National Park Service and the Florida National Register Review Board discourage “redundant” listings. Additional information about a property can be submitted to the Florida Master Site File, the statewide inventory of historical resources.
