City-County of Spokane Historic Preservation

About Us

Established in 1979 as Washington’s first Certified Local Government Historic Preservation Program, the Historic Preservation Office is a joint city/county agency. The mission of the office is to identify and facilitate the preservation of significant properties over fifty years old, thereby recycling existing structures at a savings to the community and enhancing our quality of life. The Historic Preservation Office also does the following:

· promote the use of financial incentives to encourage investment in historic properties;

· advise city and county departments and agencies when their action or inaction may affect historic resources;

· encourage revitalization of neighborhoods and protection of property values within historic districts;

· document architecturally or historically significant resources;

· review exterior alterations, new construction and demolition to ensure compatible change to properties on the local register;

· provide technical assistance and education to property owners and interested citizens, neighborhood organizations, and other groups;

· promote tourism, foster civic pride, and enhance our quality of life;

· coordinate with the State Historic Preservation Department, National Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Top of Page

Historic Registers Overview
Historic registers are official lists of those properties deemed worthy of preservation. Listing in an historic register is primarily a tool to encourage preservation, recognition, and rehabilitation. The registers are strong reminders that the preservation and re-use of historic properties can also be economically beneficial.

National Register of Historic Places
The federal government’s official register of nationally significant properties. In order to meet the completion requirements, applicants generally hire a consultant to prepare the nomination form.

Restrictions: Only if federal funds are used.
Benefits: Investment Tax Credit for commercial property; plaque, national recognition.
Local Fee: None
Listings: There are over 1,300 properties on the National Register in Spokane County, including fifteen districts. The districts are: Browne’s Addition, Corbin Park, East Downtown Historic District, Fort George Wright, Four Corners, Hillyard Historic District, Marycliff-Cliff Park, Mission Avenue, Nettleton's Addition, Ninth Avenue, Peaceful Valley, Riverside Avenue, Rockwood, Desmet Avenue Warehouse, and the West Downtown Historic Transportation Corridor.

Top of Page

Washington Register of Historic Places
The Washington catalog of properties with state significance. Applicants generally prepare the nomination form, because the requirements are less stringent.

Restrictions: None
Benefits: State Register Certificate
Local Fee: None
Listings: Over 70 properties in Spokane are listed on the Washington Register of Historic Places.

Top of Page

Spokane Register of Historic Places
The city/county catalog of locally significant properties. Applicants prepare the nomination or hire a consultant for assistance.

Restrictions: The property owner must sign an agreement to obtain a special review for exterior work.
Benefits: Special Valuation property tax incentive, design assistance, plaque, local recognition.
Local Fee: $65.00 (residential) $90.00 (all other)
Listings: There are over 290 properties on the Spokane Register of Historic Places, including 83 properties in the Corbin Park Local Historic District, 13 in the Hillyard Historic District, 4 homes in the Comstock-Shadle Historic District, and 4 homes in the Booge's Addition Historic District.

Top of Page

Incentives

A variety of incentives are available to owners of historic properties in Spokane County. Advance planning is essential to successfully obtaining financial incentives.

Special Valuation

A tax incentive which reduces the amount of your tax assessment by the amount of qualified rehabilitation expenditures. For example, if your house is valued at $100,000 and you spend $30,000 on rehab, you may be eligible for a $30,000 reduction on property valuation each year for the next ten years.

Benefits: Property Tax Reduction
Local Fee: $125.00 (residential) $250.00 (all other)
Qualifications: The property must be listed on the local register to qualify and the work must meet local and federal standards.

Top of Page

Investment Tax Credit

This federal tax credit is for income-producing property, including residential rental. A credit of 20% of the amount of qualified rehabilitation expenditures will be deducted from your federal income tax.

Benefit: Federal Income Tax Credit.
Local Fee: None.
Qualifications: Property must be listed on the National Register and the work must meet federal standards.

Top of Page

Other Incentives

Additional incentives include Open Space Taxation, Facade/Conservation Easements, Conditional Use Permits, Building Code Relief, and Rental Rehab.

We also provide the following:

· Instructions and forms for financial incentives.

· Technical leaflets on appropriate preservation techniques.

· Information on historic buildings and historic sites.

· A directory of local preservation contractor specializing in rehabilitation.

· Listings of properties on the National, State, or Local Registers of Historic Places.

· A Spokane Register Nomination Guide on our historic preservation program and how to complete a Spokane Register nomination form.

· Design assistance for properties on the local register of historic places.

Top of Page