Historic Registers – How to List your Building

There are three types of historic property designations – National, State, and Local (click here to view an interactive map of Bellingham’s listed properties). Generally, to be considered “historic” a building must be 50 years of age and retain many of its original architectural character-defining features. Buildings, districts, sites, structures, and objects can be listed in a historic register. Listed buildings may be eligible for financial incentives, expanded land uses, and building code flexibility; as well as improving its eligibility for grant funding.

The Bellingham Register of Historic Places is the City’s official listing of historically significant buildings, districts, objects, structures, and sites. Listing in the Bellingham Historic Register is voluntary (owner approval is required) and nominations are reviewed and approved by the City’s Historic Preservation Commission.

Effects of Listing

Unlike the National and State Historic Registers which are both honorary designations, listing in the Bellingham Register of Historic Places is regulatory. Once designated, the owner is expected to maintain the building and while changes are allowed, some exterior alterations may require a Certificate of Alteration and review by the City’s Historic Preservation Commission. That said, listing in the Bellingham Historic Register can make a property eligible for financial incentives, expanded land uses and building code flexibility.

Refer to the Historic Preservation Ordinance Bellingham Municipal Code Chapter 17.​90 for more information about the Bellingham Historic Register and the City’s Historic Preservation Program.

Bellingham Register of Historic Places Application Materials

Staff Contact

Katie Franks, Planning and Community Development
kfranks@cob.org or 360-778-8388

The National Register of Historic Places is the official listing of historically significant properties throughout the United States. Maintained by the National Park Service, the National Register includes districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects that have been identified and documented as being significant in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering and/or culture.

Effects of Listing

Listing in the National Register of Historic Places is honorary and offers no preservation protection. Properties listed in the National Register or contributing to a National Historic District may be eligible for Special Tax Valuation and/or building code flexibility.

Additionally, for buildings listed in the National Register the National Park Service and the Internal Revenue Service offer a 20% Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit for income-producing rehabilitation projects. For more information refer to the Federal Investment Tax Credit Overview (PDF). Listing in the National Register also improves a property’s eligibility for grant funding.

For more information on listing

Michael Houser, Washington State Architectural Historian
Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation
michael.houser@dahp.wa.gov or (360) 890-2634

For more information about Federal Tax Credits

Jeronimo Roldan, Tax Credit Program Coordinator
Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation
jeronimo.roldan@dahp.wa.gov or (360) 584-5900

The Washington Heritage Register is an official listing of historically significant sites and properties found throughout the state and maintained by the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP).

Effects of Listing

Listing in the Washington Heritage Register is honorary and offers no preservation protection.

While there are presently no financial incentives available for State Heritage Register properties, listing can help increase a property’s eligibility for grant funding and may offer building code flexibility.

For more information on listing

Michael Houser, Washington State Architectural Historian
Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation
michael.houser@dahp.wa.gov or (360) 890-2634

Additional Resources

Visit the City’s additional resources webpage for additional information, documents, and websites.

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