Historic Property Grants

The City of Tallahassee is accepting applications for funding under the Historic Property Grant and Loan Program. Applications may be submitted any time during the year. These grant and loan funds are available for eligible historic structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places or on the Local Register of Historic Places. Eligible historic properties must also be subject to the Historic Preservation Overlay as provided for in Section 10.4D of the city of Tallahassee Zoning, Site Plan Review, and Subdivision Regulations.

Funds may be used for stabilization for the purpose of restoration/rehabilitation of historic structures; structural repairs; facade restoration/rehabilitation; compliance with codes and health/safety requirements; and other construction activity that will result in a "total project" restoration/rehabilitation.

As of May 2003, funds cannot be used for routine maintenance activities that are a part of normal property ownership, including the repair or replacement of non-historic roofs, unless those activities are part of a "total restoration/rehabilitation" project. Each project will be determined on a case-by-case review. Routine maintenance would include such projects as painting, roof replacement/repair, window repair or any other non-historic repair.

Grant funds can be used for the cost difference between a non-historic repair and a historic repair. For example, if the cost of repairing wooden historic windows is $5,000 and it costs $2,000 to replace the wooden historic windows with vinyl windows, the city may approve a grant for the difference in cost ($3,000) to assist in maintaining the historic appearance of the home. When restoring historic homes materials used should be of a historic nature.

Preference for the funding of projects will fall first to residential projects; second to cultural, retail, and restaurant projects; and third to other types of projects.

Incentives Currently Provided by the City for HPO Properties on the Local Register of Historic Places Privately Owned (May 2003)

  1. Ad valorem tax relief
    1. exemption from payment of City ad valorem taxes of up to 50% of the assessed value for qualifying properties and
    2. authorization for the property appraiser to assess qualifying properties solely on the basis of their character and current use for ad valorem tax purposes. Applies to properties that are used ommercially or by certain not-for-profits.*
  2. Waiver of occupational license fees for historic properties, which are used to conduct business
  3. Waiver of a variety of permit fees, development review fees, and other ehabilitation- elated fees, including:
    1. building, plumbing, electric, mechanical, and fire permit fees
    2. roofing permits, gas permits, and re-inspection fees
    3. landscape and storm water permit fees
    4. variance fees and tree removal and rezoning fees
    5. environmental management review fees
  4. Eligibility for special provisions under the City's Gas Rebate Program and Energy Efficiency Loan Program.
  5. Entitlement to modified enforcement of the Standard Building Code as provided in Chapter 34, Section 3401.5
  6. Exemption from off-street parking requirements (must also be located in a Special Character District)
  7. Preference to be given by the City to the acquisition or lease of historic properties when additional space is needed
  8. Reservation of concurrency capacities
  9. Eligibility for funding under the City Historic Property Grant and Loan Program

* Does not require HPO designation, but must meet State law requirement

Submit Applications to Economic Development Department, 300 S. Adams Street-Mailbox A-11, Tallahassee, Florida 32301.