What are the Listing Criteria?

The National Register's standards for evaluating the significance of properties were developed to recognize the accomplishments of all peoples who have made a significant contribution to our country's history and heritage. The criteria are designed to guide State and local governments, Federal agencies, and others in evaluating potential entries in the National Register.

Criteria for Evaluation The quality of significance in American history, architecture, archeology, engineering, and culture is present in districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects that possess integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association, and:

A. That are associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history; or

B. That are associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; or

C. That embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or that represent the work of a master, or that possess high artistic values, or that represent a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction; or

D. That have yielded or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history.

A. A religious property deriving primary significance from architectural or artistic distinction or historical importance; or

B. A building or structure removed from its original location but which is primarily significant for architectural value, or which is the surviving structure most importantly associated with a historic person or event; or

C. A birthplace or grave of a historical figure of outstanding importance if there is no appropriate site or building directly associated with his or her productive life; or

D. A cemetery which derives its primary importance from graves of persons of transcendent importance, from age, from distinctive design features, or from association with historic events; or

E. A reconstructed building when accurately executed in a suitable environment and presented in a dignified manner as part of a restoration master plan, and when no other building or structure with the same association has survived; or

F. A property primarily commemorative in intent if design, age, tradition, or symbolic value has invested it with its own exceptional significance; or

G. A property achieving significance within the past 50 years if it is of exceptional importance.

How Old does the place have to be?

Generally, properties eligible for listing in the National Register are at least 50 years old. Properties less than 50 years of age must be exceptionally important to be considered eligible for listing.

Does a designation protect a property from harm?

Designation acts as a planning and recognition tool, not a preservation mandate. Under federal law, private property owners retain complete control over their land, meaning they can alter, renovate, or completely demolish a listed building if they are using their own private funds.

What does a National Register designation provide?

Official Recognition: It documents the property's significance in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture according to uniform national standards.

Financial Incentives: Owners of income-producing properties may qualify for federal and state historic preservation tax credits, loans, or grants to assist with rehabilitation.

Federal Project Protection: It triggers a mandatory federal review process under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. If a federal agency funds, permits, or licenses a project (like building a highway), they must first consider and mitigate the project's impact on the historic property.

Special Building Codes: Listed structures often qualify for alternative compliance with modern building and energy codes, making restoration more feasible.

How long does the process take?

The process varies from State to State depending on State workload, planning, and registration priorities, and the schedule of the review board. The process takes a minimum of 90 days to fulfill all of the review and notification requirements provided that a complete and fully documented nomination form has been completed for the property.

Upon submission to the National Park Service, a decision on whether to list the property is made within 45 days.

How do I add a property?

Properties are nominated to the National Register by the State Historic Preservation Officer of the State in which the property is located, by the Federal Preservation Officer for properties under Federal ownership or control, or by the Tribal Preservation Officer if the property is on tribal lands.

Click here for a list of preservation offices: State, Tribal and Federal Preservation Offices

Can someone oppose a national register listing before it happens?

Local residents have limited formal power to block a National Register of Historic Places listing because federal rules give definitive veto power only to the property owners themselves.

Residents can submit substantive, evidence-based comments arguing that a property lacks historic significance or integrity. These comments are submitted to your State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) during federal review windows managed by the National Park Service.

The federal government triggers a legal 15-day public comment window to allow citizens, organizations, and local governments to weigh in or object before a final decision is made by the Keeper of the National Register.