What is a historic preservation easement?

A preservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement that protects a significant historic, archaeological or cultural resource from alteration or destruction.  It provides assurance of protection through subsequent owners who will be subject to the restrictions contained in the easement.  The easement is recorded with the deed and runs in perpetuity.  The Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County is a qualified easement development, accepting and monitoring organization.  The stewardship fee for establishing an easement  is base on the property's square footage and funds the on-going management of the easement by the Preservation Trust.

Note:  The information provided here is intended to convey general guidance; because easements are legal tools defined by state law (and affected by federal law, if federal tax incentives are sought), the advice and assistance of a knowledgeable lawyer or financial professional should be sought.  The Preservation Trust  does not provide legal or tax advice.

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Qualified Properties

According to IRS regulations, a property must either be currently listed on the National Register of Historic  Places or be located in a registered historic district and certified by the U.S. Department of the Interior as being historically significant to the district in order to be eligible for potential tax deductions.  If tax deductions are not a consideration, easements may still be established on historic properties.  Contact the Preservation Trust at 717-291-5861 for more details.

 

 

 

Benefits of Establishing an Easement

You can benefit if you:

• own a historic building and want to save on taxes.
• are the developer of an investment tax credit project. Tax advantages from the easement may significantly increase your investment now or provide additional tax benefits after the five year "recapture" period.
• want to keep a property in the family instead of selling it to pay burdensome estate taxes.
• are a condominium owner of a historic building, a developer of projects that also preserve open space or the owner of small historic buildings used for professional offices, shops or apartments.

 

Financial Incentives

In many cases, an easement  property owner may deduct the value of the easement, for up to 30 percent of the taxpayer’s adjusted gross income, from federal taxes.  Any excess value may be carried forward up to five years. The value of an easement is based on the difference between the appraised fair market value of the property prior to establishing an easement and its value with the easement restrictions in place.  A property that is assessed based upon its easement-restricted use rather than at its potential, fully-developed use could result in a lower tax rate.  A tax attorney or accountant should be consulted.

Effect on Marketability

Every easement is specially tailored to meet your specific needs.  This process often enhances the value of a protected historic property.  Marketability of the property need not suffer due to an easement.

Flexibility in Design

Historic preservation easements are the only legal protection available to preserve a historic property in perpetuity.  National Register listing or other honorary designations do not protect your property.  However, the combination of possible financial incentives along with the Preservation Trust’s individual design of each easement help to ensure lasting protection of your valuable historic resource.

Tips to Consider When Establishing an Easement

1. Has the property been designated as historically significant through a National Register listing?
2. Is the property in a registered historic district?
3. Are there local or state tax benefits to donating an easement?
4. What are the financial implications of donating an easement?
5. Would public access be required to claim a federal income tax deduction?
6. Does the easement-holding organization charge the property owner a stewardship fee to cover administrative and yearly monitoring costs incurred by accepting the easement?
7. Does the easement-holding organization have the time and resources to monitor the terms of the easement?
8. How specific will the easement need to be in order to protect the property?

Current Easements Held by the PreservationTrust

• Bausman Building (1762), 121-123 East King St., City of Lancaster
• Bausman Farmstead (1775, 1836, 1869 and 1879), Lancaster Twp.
• Bowmansville Roller Mill (1850), Brecknock Twp.
• 357 East Chestnut Street (1893), City of Lancaster
• Christian Street Court (early 1900's), City of Lancaster
• Conestoga View Almshouse (1799), City of Lancaster
• Darmsteatter Building/Center City Lofts (1910-1920), City of Lancaster
• Ehrisman-Behrens House (1849-1856 and 1886-1899), City of Lancaster
• Excelsior Hall (circa 1854-1873), City of Lancaster
• Franciscus-Carpenter House (circa 1750), E. Lampeter Twp.
• Hopeland Farm (1867), Elizabeth Twp.
• 44 North Lime Street (1852-1856), City of Lancaster
• 500 East Main Street (1765), Lititz
• Oberholtzer Homestead (1769), East Petersburg
• Place Marie (1870), City of Lancaster
• Thaddeus Stevens House (pre-1843) and Lydia Hamilton Smith House ( 1850s), City of Lancaster
• 1145 Reading Road (1840), Brecknock Twp.
• Sehner-Ellicott-von Hess House (1787), City of Lancaster
• 231 & 247 North Shippen Place (1920), City of Lancaster
• Charles-Strubel House ( late 1700s), Strasburg
• 22 West Main Street (1839), Strasburg
• Waidley-Trout House (1890), Strasburg
• 313 Miller Street (1900), Stasburg
• 21-23 East Vine Street (1850), City of Lancaster
• White Chimneys (1720, 1790, 1807 and 1923), Salisbury Twp.