Historic Preservation

Contents

• Introduction
• Reference Sources
• Documents
• Contacts

Introduction

Local city and county heritage programs in Washington State, similar to other historic preservation programs across the country, emerged following the adoption of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89-665, 16 U.S.C. sec. 470 et seq.) This act is the key statute that defines present federal and state historic preservation programs. It established the National Register of Historic Places and authorized National Historic Landmark listings.

The Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP) in Olympia provides expertise, services and training for the protection and preservation of Washington's historic places, including the efforts of local government agencies. This department also processes nominations to the National Register of Historic Places and provides technical assistance in implementing the Special Valuation Program, a local option state property tax incentive program. To qualify for special valuation, rehabilitation must comply with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. DAHP administers the Certified Local Government (CLG) program, which recognizes and supports local historic preservation programs that meet federal and state standards.

Among its 13 goals, Washington's Growth Management Act (GMA) includes a goal to "Identify and encourage the preservation of lands, sites, and structures that have historical, cultural, and archaeological significance." RCW 36.70A.020 (13) Although the GMA does not require an historic preservation or cultural resources element in a comprehensive plan, cities and counties planning under the GMA must consider and incorporate the historic preservation goal.

Local governments are certified by the State Historic Preservation Officer when they have established their own historic preservation commission and a program meeting federal and state standards under the National Historic Preservation Act. The National Historic Preservation Amendments Act of 1980 (P.L. 96-515) contains the legal basis for the Certified Local Governments (CLG) program.  For information about CLGs in Washington State, contact the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation at (360) 586-3074. As of 2006, 38 cities and counties in Washington State were CLGs.

Reference Sources

• Statutes
• Court Decisions
• Administrative Regulations
• MRSC Inquiries
• Frequently Asked Questions about Historic Preservation in Seattle (from Seattle Historic Preservation Program)
• Links to Other Cultural Resources and Historic Preservation Web Sites
• Selected MRSC Library Holdings - Cultural Resources and Historic Preservation [Note: Clicking on this link will take you to a list of documents available on loan through the MRSC library.]

Documents

• General Historic Preservation Resources
  • Historic Preservation: A Tool for Managing Growth () by Greg Griffith and updated by Diane Watr, Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, June 2005  
  • Historic Preservation Learning Portal, A Partnership Initiative of the National Park Service and Other Federal Agencies
  • Illustrated Guidelines for Preserving Historic Buildings, The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation, U.S. National Park Service
  • A Citizen's Guide to Protecting Historic Places: Local Preservation Ordinances () Smart Growth Tools for Main Street, National Trust for Historic Preservation
  • The Economic Benefits of Historic Preservation in Washington State: Summary Report () Prepared for: Washington Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation by Matt Dadswell and William B. Beyers, Nov. 2006.
• Ordinances
  • Bellingham Municipal Code Chapter 17.90, Historic Preservation Ordinance
  • Bothell Municipal Code Title 22, Landmark Preservation
  • Everett Municipal Code Chapter 2.96, Historic Resources
  • Kennewick Municipal Code 18.90, Historic Preservation (44.5 KB)
  • King County Code Chapter 20.62, Protection and Preservation of Landmarks, Landmark Sites and Districts
  • Newcastle, WA Ordinance No. 98-167 relates to protection and preservation of landmarks in City, passed 7-98
  • Olympia Municipal Code Chapter 18.12, Historic Preservation
  • Pierce County Code Chapter 2.88, Structures of Historical and Architectural Significance ()
  • Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 2.72, Historic Preservation Committee and Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 17.30, Historic Preservation Overlay District - Design Review
  • Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 25.12, Landmarks Preservation
  • Snohomish County Code Chapter 30.32D, Historic and Archaeological Resources (in Title 30)
  • Spokane Municipal Code Chapter 17D.040, Landmarks Commission
  • Steilacoom Ordinance No. 1387, 2005
  • Tacoma Municipal Code Chapter 1.42, Landmarks Preservation Commission () and Tacoma Municipal Code Chapter 13.07, Landmarks and Historic Special Review Districts ()
  • Vancouver Municipal Code Chapter 17.39, Historic Preservation
  • Yelm Municipal Code Chapter 15.28, Historic Preservation(375 KB)
  • Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation model historic preservation ordinance (Word file). 
• Plans
  • Bothell Historic Preservation Element, Imagine Bothell…Comprehensive Plan ()
  • Friday Harbor Historic Preservation Manual ()
  • Lynnwood Cultural and Historic Resources Element, Comprehensive Plan ()
  • Olympia Historic Preservation Assessment and Action Plan, 2005
  • Redmond 2022 – Community Character/Historic Preservation Element, Comprehensive Plan 
  • Seattle Parks and Recreation, Historic Resources Plan
  • “Historic Preservation and Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan,” Preservation Seattle, June/July 2004, Historic Seattle
  • Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, Documents and Forms, Preservation Planning.
• Library Resources (Paper copies only)

  Library Loan Request Form  

  • Cultural assessments and the planning process, by Luciano Minerbi. PAS Memo,American Planning Association, October 2003 [PL 10.3000]
  • A guide to tax-advantaged rehabilitation / by Jayne F. Boyle, Stuart Ginsberg and Sally G. Oldham; revised by Donovan D. Rypkema; National Trust for Historic Preservation -- Washington, D.C.: National Trust for Historic Preservation c1994; 12 p. : ill. Information Booklet [PL 10.3000 I64 no.100]
  • A layperson's guide to historic preservation law : a survey of federal, state, and local laws governing historic resource protection / by Julia A. Miller. -- Washington, D.C. : National Trust for Historic Preservation, 1997; 44 p. : ill. [PL 10.3000 L39 1997].

Contacts

• Historic Preservation - Helpful Agencies and Organizations (from Historic Preservation: A Tool for Managing Growth, Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, 2005).