What are the Secretary of the Interior s Standards for Rehabilitation?
In 1977, the National Park Service developed guidelines to help owners of historic properties determine what building components should be preserved in the rehabilitation process. These standards must be followed when rehabilitation tax credits are to be utilized for a project. But they can also be useful for homeowners and others not utilizing the tax credit program, so that costly and/or irreplaceable mistakes can be avoided. The guidelines focus on three basic provisions: 1) identifying, 2) retaining, and, 3) preserving important architectural features. They cover general information regarding building exteriors, interiors, building sites, and historic districts and neighborhoods. Additional information is also given regarding health and safety code requirements, energy retrofitting and new additions. To obtain this publication, contact the National Park Service at the number listed on page 12.
