National Register of Historic Places in Louisiana Myths and Facts about the National Register Program
What the National Register DOES
PROVIDES recognition of a property's significance in history, architecture, archaeology or engineering.
PROVIDES a moral obligation, although not a legal one, to preserve the property.
PROVIDES limited protection when a property is endangered by a federally funded or licensed action. The following web site provides more information about this process: http://www.achp.gov/usersguide.html.
PROVIDES the owner of income producing property (commercial or rental residential) the opportunity to receive Investment Tax Credit for "Certified Rehabilitation."
PROVIDES the owner of a private residence with the opportunity to apply for a Louisiana Homeowners Tax Credit on state taxes, if a rehabilitation is certified.
PROVIDES the owner the opportunity to apply for the Louisiana Department of Economic Development's Restoration Tax Abatement Program.
PROVIDES the owner the opportunity to apply for matching grants-in-aid for restoration/rehabilitation (when funding is available).
What the National Register DOES NOT do
DOES NOT restrict the use of the property. (For example, an owner can continue to live in a listed house, convert a listed property to another use, continue to farm ground where a listed archaeological site may be located, conduct new construction on the site, etc.)
DOES NOT restrict the sale of a property; unless under the jurisdiction of a federal agency.
DOES NOT require continued maintenance of private property.
DOES NOT require that any specific guidelines be followed in a rehabilitation (unless the owner is using federal funds or receiving the Investment and/or Homeowners' tax credit). (For example, the owner of a listed property may paint his building any color he chooses.)
DOES NOT require the owner to give tours of the property or open it to the public.
DOES NOT guarantee funds for restoration.
DOES NOT require or guarantee perpetual maintenance of the property.
DOES NOT provide a National Register plaque or a state historic marker for the property (although property owners are eligible to acquire such markers at their own expense).
