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Baltimore County offers a historic property tax credit for certain rehabilitation projects for those residential and commercial properties that qualify. The program took effect on January 30, 2006, through County Council Bill Number 151-05.

Eligibility

The following are eligible for the County’s Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit program:

  • Properties listed on the Baltimore County Final Landmarks ListNote: Delineation of a Historic Environmental Setting (HES) may be required to process a tax credit application for a Landmarked structure, where a HES does not currently exist. It is only required if the property does not have any National Register designation, which would qualify it for tax credits regardless of its landmark status.
  • Contributing resources within Baltimore County Historic District 
  • Individually listed properties, or contributing resources within a Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places

If you are unsure if your property’s historic status, contact staff for assistance.

About the Application Process

The application process consists of three parts. Parts one and two are completed before the project begins. Part three is completed after a project is complete. Please plan your project in advance to take into consideration approval timelines and due dates for reviews. All aspects of the project and application must:

  • Be reviewed and approved by the LPC or Staff before starting work. Any work started/completed prior to approval is not eligible for the credit and may jeopardize the credit for the entire project.
  • Meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and Baltimore County’s Historic Preservation Design Guidelines.

Required Documentation

Submit Your Application

County Part I applications may be submitted at any time. County Part II applications that are submitted without a copy of a State approved Part 2 application are due two weeks before the next scheduled meeting of the Landmarks Preservation Commission. County Part II applications that are submitted with a copy a State approved Part 2 application are reviewed and approved by Staff.

All completed applications may be submitted by email to histpres@baltimorecountymd.gov or by regular mail to:

Baltimore County Department of Planning
Historic Preservation
105 West Chesapeake Avenue, Suite 101
Towson, Maryland 21204

Maryland Rehabilitation Tax Credit

Properties and historic districts that are on the National Register of Historic Places are also eligible for the State’s historic revitalization tax credit program, administered by the Maryland Historical Trust, within the Maryland Department of Planning. In addition, any BCHD or Final Landmarks that are also listed on or eligible for the National Register, qualify for the State’s program, which is very similar to the County’s and offers 20 percent of a project’s qualified rehab expenditures, as an income tax credit.

The County tax credit may be used in conjunction with State historic tax credits for the same project. It is highly recommended to get State review and approval prior to County’s review. Since the State’s program is subject to similar standards and guidelines for review, having State approval before applying for the County’s program allows for Staff review and approval, rather than waiting for the next LPC meeting.

For questions about the program or application process, contact MHT staff or visit the following web pages:

Explore Historic Preservation

Contact Us

Historic Preservation

Jefferson Building, Suite 101
105 West Chesapeake Avenue
Towson, Maryland 21204

Phone

BALTCOGO311

Chief

Caitlin Merritt

 

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