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DESIGN & HISTORIC PRESERVATION NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES For more information, contact the Design & Historic Preservation Section. What is the National Register of Historic Places? Created in 1966 by the National Historic Preservation Act, the National Register is a nationwide inventory of buildings, districts, sites, and objects that are important to the history of a local community, the state or the nation. Importance is based on factors such as architecture, culture, archeology, and associations with famous persons or events. The National Park Service maintains the Register. What are some examples of properties listed in the National Register? In Pasadena, the Blacker House, the Space Flight Operations Facility at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the Castle Green/Hotel Green Apartments, and several bungalow courts are examples of individual properties listed in the Register. Seven districts are also listed: Old Pasadena, Prospect, Civic Center, Civic Center-Financial, Pasadena Playhouse, Lower Arroyo Seco and South Marengo. Approximately 1,200 buildings in Pasadena are presently listed in the Register, either individually or as part of a group of buildings. Nationwide, over one million properties are listed in the Register. Besides buildings, structures (e.g., bridges), objects (e.g., signs, street lights), and sites (e.g., parks, battlefields, archaeological sites) may also be listed in the Register. How does a property become listed in the National Register? Any person or organization may nominate a property to the Register. A nomination consists of a report with descriptions, maps, photographs and a statement about the significance of the property. Nominations are processed through the State of California Office of Historic Preservation and the State Historical Resources Commission. If the Commission approves a nomination, it is sent to the National Park Service for final approval and listing in the Register. Are there advantages to being listed in the National Register? Yes. Owners of income-producing properties listed in the Register may apply for a 20% federal tax credit for rehabilitation. To qualify, rehabilitations must be certified by the State Office of Historic Preservation and the National Park Service. Also, state and federal programs (e.g., grants, loans, tax incentives) are sometimes available to encourage preservation of Register properties. And owners of listed properties may use the State Historical Building Code, which allows flexibility in building code requirements for interior and exterior work. Does listing in the National Register limit the use of a property? No. Owners of properties listed in the Register may do with them as they wish; local regulations such as the City's General Plan and Zoning Ordinance restrict the use of a property. Are there any restrictions on properties listed in the National Register? Listing in the Register in no way interferes with a property owner’s right to manage or sell a property. Alterations, demolitions and relocations of buildings listed in the National Register or eligible for listing in the National Register are subject to approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness and must comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and, if the property is part of a National Register Historic District, the Design Guidelines for Historic Districts. Projects with federal funding (e.g., CDBGs, Community Development Block Grants) or a federal license are subject to a review process by the State Office of Historic Preservation and, possibly, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation--but this review ("Section-106") applies to properties eligible for listing in the Register, even if not actually listed. Demolitions of listed properties damaged in earthquakes (if not a danger to the public) may be subject to State review. Are property owners notified about a nomination? Yes. Both the City and the State Office of Historic Preservation notify owners in advance about a nomination before it is reviewed by the State Historical Resources Commission. Can a property owner object to the listing of a property? Yes. For an individual property nominated for listing in the Register, the owner may object by filing a notarized letter of objection with the State Office of Historic Preservation. The objection will prevent listing in the Register. For a district nomination, notarized letters of objection from a majority of the affected property owners will prevent listing. The National Park Service may still determine whether a building or a district is eligible for listing, but actual listing will not occur. What is the difference between being listed in the National Register and eligible for listing? The difference is minor: only listed properties actually appear in the Register. Properties listed in the Register, eligible for listing, and which appear eligible for listing may all be considered historic resources under the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Historic and architectural surveys conducted by the City often identify buildings and districts that appear to be eligible for the Register, but only the National Park Service actually determines if a property is eligible. Can a property be listed in the National Register and designated a City landmark? Yes. Several properties in Pasadena are both listed in the Register and designated City landmarks. But these are two different processes--one federal and one local--each with its own separate designation process. Is there a difference between a National Register district and a City landmark district? Yes. A National Register district (such as the Prospect District):
A City landmark district (such as Bungalow Heaven):
Why should a property be listed in the National Register? Listing in the National Register recognizes a property or district's historic significance--and this recognition enhances appreciation of our history, culture, and architecture. Income-producing properties listed in the National Register are also eligible for the 20% federal tax credit for rehabilitation.
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