Local Tax Incentive Programs for Historic Preservation

Higgens House, Montgomery County Local property tax credits are available for the rehabilitation of homes as well as income-producing designated historic buildings in a growing number of jurisdictions. They are typically provided either as an offset of property taxes owed by a percentage of the rehabilitation expenditure (up to ten percent), or an amount equal to the increase in property taxes resulting from the rehabilitation improvements for a period of up to ten years.

Please note that the State tax credit program operates independently from local jurisdiction tax credit programs and regulations. Approval of a project from a local jurisdiction cannot be substituted for meeting State requirements and is independent from MHT’s tax credit review.

If you are considering using local tax credits in combination with State or Federal tax credits, we recommend that you contact the Rehabilitation Tax Credit staff at MHT before applying for local tax credits or making any changes to your historic property. Early contact with the Maryland Historical Trust’s Rehabilitation Tax Credit Unit is recommended to ensure that the project being proposed meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.

Important Tips!

Contact your local government for eligibility requirements
ALWAYS seek approval for your plans prior to starting work! Generally speaking, work that is substantially completed without prior approval is not eligible for Federal, State, or local tax credits.
Be sure your contractor(s) are aware that you are applying for Tax Credits/Freezes and check all change-orders or plan revisions with you and the HPC first.

Jurisdictions with Local Tax Incentives for Historic Preservation

NOTE: MHT makes every effort to maintain this list as accurately as possible, but advises you to contact your local government (usually Planning Department) to determine if your community offers tax incentives for rehabilitation work.

Map of Local Tax Incentives in Maryland

Allegany County
City of Cumberland Cumberland Historic Preservation Commission Kathy McKenney, Historic Planner kmckenney@allconet.org (301) 759-6431 P.O. Box 1702 Cumberland, MD 21502
Baltimore City
Baltimore City Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation Brigitte V. Fessenden, Historic Preservation Planner brigitte.fessenden@baltimorecity.gov (443) 984-2726 417 E. Fayette St., 8th Floor Baltimore, MD 21202
Baltimore County
Baltimore County Landmarks Preservation Commission Karin Brown kbrown@baltimorecountymd.gov (410) 887-3495 401 Bosley Ave. Towson, MD 21204
Calvert County
Calvert County Historic District Commission *NOTE: Also includes properties in North Beach Historic District* Kirsti Uunila, Historic Preservation Planner uunilak@co.cal.md.us (410) 535-1600 x2504 150 Main St. Prince Frederick, MD 20678
Carroll County
Town of Westminster Westminster Historic District Commission Tim Rogers, City Planner trogers@westgov.com (410) 848-4628 City Hall P.O. Box 710 Westminster, MD 21158
Cecil County
Cecil County Historic District Commission Eric Senstromm, Director of Planning & Zoning esennstrom@ccgov.org (410) 996-5220 200 Chesapeake Boulevard Elkton, MD 21921
Charles County
Charles County Historic Preservation Commission Cathy Hardy, Community Planning Program Manager hardyC@charlescounty.org (301) 396-5815 Charles Co. Dept. of Planning and Growth Management PO Box 2150 La Plata, MD 20646
Frederick County
Frederick (City) Historic Preservation Commission Emily Paulus, Preservation Planner epaulus@cityoffrederick.com (301) 600-1831 Lisa Mroszcyk, Preservation Planner lmroszczyk@cityoffrederick.com (301) 600-6278 140 W. Patrick St. Frederick, MD 21701	Frederick County Historic Preservation Commission Janet Davis, Preservation Planner jdavis@fredco-md.net (301) 600-2958 Winchester Hall 12 East Church St. Frederick, MD 21701 (County Incentives are available for residents of New Market and Frederick City as well)
Harford County
Bel Air Historic Preservation Commission Robert Fisher, Planner II rfisher@belairmd.org (410) 879-9500 705 Churchville Rd. Bel Air, MD 21014	Harford County Historic Preservation Commission Sarah Corey, Preservation Planner sccorey@harfordcountymd.gov (410) 638-3103 x1369 220 S. Main St. Bel Air, MD 21014
Howard County
Howard County Historic District Commission Samantha Stoney, Preservation Planner sstoney@howardcountymd.gov (410) 313-4428 3430 Court House Drive Ellicott City, MD 21043
Montgomery County
Gaithersburg Historic District Commission Eliza Voigt, Planner evoigt@gaithersburgmd.gov (301) 258-6330 31 Summit Ave. Gaithersburg, MD 20877	Laytonsville Historic District Commission (301) 869-0042 21607 Laytonsville Rd. P.O. Box 5158 Laytonsville, MD 20882
Montgomery County Historic Preservation Commission Scott Whipple, Supervisor of Historic Preservation Section scott.whipple@mncppc-mc.org (301) 563-3400 8787 Georgia Ave. Silver Spring, MD 20910	Rockville Historic District Commission Robin Ziek, Preservation Planner rziek@rockvillemd.gov (240) 314-8230 111 Maryland Ave. Rockville, MD 20850
Prince George's County
Laurel Historic District Commission Sunny Pritchard spritchard@laurel.md.us (301) 725-5300 x251 8103 Sandy Springs Road Laurel, MD 20707	Prince George's County Historic Preservation Commission Frederick Stachura, Planner Coordinator frederick.stachura@ppd.mncppc.org (301)780-8306 14741 Governor Oden Bowie Drive Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
St. Mary's County
St. Mary's County Historic Preservation Commission Grace Mary Brady, Preservation Planner gracie.brady@co.saint-marys.md.us (301) 475-4200 x1549 23150 Leonard Hall Drive P.O. Box 653 Leonardtown, MD 20650
Washington County
Washington County Historic Preservation Commission Steven Goodrich, Chief Planner sgoodrich@washco-md.net (240) 313-2430 80 W. Baltimore St. Hagerstown, MD 21740