Differences Between National Register and Local Historic Districts/Landmarks
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One of the historic preservation issues that often causes the most confusion is the difference between
different types of historic designations and what those designations mean for individual property owners.
There are two basic types of historic designations—National Register of Historic Places and
local designation.
| | National Register | Local Designation |
|---|
| What types of properties may be listed? | Individual buildings, districts, structures (such as bridges), objects (statues, monuments), and
sites (usually archaeological sites) | Generally - Individual buildings, districts, structures (such as bridges),
objects (statues, monuments), and sites (usually archaeological sites). Maryland law allows local
governments to designate all of these types of properties, but some local ordinances may not
include all of these categories. |
| What makes a property eligible for designation? | Properties must be historically significant at the local, state, or national level for one
of the following reasons: associated with important events or broad patterns of history; associated
with the life of a significant person; representative of a type or style of architecture, or
the work of a master; or have the ability to yield new information (generally for archaeological sites).
Properties must also possess integrity – the physical features that convey the property’s
significance. | Varies by jurisdiction. Local governments may define their own criteria for determining
significance. Generally these criteria are similar to the National Register criteria. Certified
Local Governments must have criteria that are substantially similar to the National Register criteria.
Some local governments use integrity to determine eligibility, but most do not. |
| Who decides if a property is designated? | MHT reviews all National Register nominations and submits them to the Governor’s Consulting
Committee on the National Register (GCC) for review. If the GCC approves the nomination, then MHT sends
the nomination to the National Park Service, which has final decision making authority. | The local Historic Preservation/District Commission reviews designation applications/nominations and
makes a recommendation to the elected body. In some communities the Planning Commission also reviews
designation materials. Because designation is a zoning action only the governing body (Council/Commissioners)
has the legal authority to designate properties as historic. |
| Do I need to get permission to make changes to my property? | No. Listing in the National Register does not restrict individual property owners from making
changes to the interior or exterior of their properties UNLESS they are utilizing State or Federal
funds, permits, or other assistance as part of their project OR are receiving State or Federal
Rehabilitation Tax Credits. | Yes. Owners of locally designated properties must receive approval from their local Historic
Preservation Commission for changes to the exterior of their properties OR if they are building a
new building in a local historic district. |
