Understanding Preservation Law
The National Trust for Historic Preservation provides legal advocacy support and legal resources to communities and organizations throughout the country to strengthen and ensure the effectiveness of local, state and federal preservation laws.
Preservation Law 101
Preservation laws are important tools that can shape, modify, strengthen or otherwise improve preservation programs. Important laws exist at the federal, state and local levels that require preservation in some cases and encourage it in others.
- Federal Preservation Law
- State Preservation Law
- Local Preservation Law
- Constitutional Issues
- Preservation Law Glossary
Preservation Easements
Owners of historic properties devote considerable time, effort and expense to restoring the character of their properties. For property owners looking to permanently protect their properties, one of the most effective legal tools available is the preservation easement – a private legal interest conveyed by a property owner to a preservation organization or to a government entity.
Latest News From The Legal Team from the PLF Blog
- New Handbook Available on Federal Historic and Environmental Review
- Community Involvement Makes Section 106 a Success
- Boardwalk Tax Case Reverberating Through Rehabilitation Industry
- Court Disallows Tax Credit for Boardwalk Hall Investor
- Strike Three for the IRS on Appeal – Preservation Easement Donors Rejoice
How We Can Help
The National Trust’s Law Department is comprised of attorneys and preservation professionals focusing on a variety of preservation law and corporate legal issues for the organization. For almost 40 years, our attorneys have spearheaded prominent preservation law cases, produced valuable legal scholarship, and achieved changes in local, state, and federal laws and policies that have resulted in new or strengthened protections for historic resources. Meet the Law Department Staff, learn about our litagation policy, and how we can help.
