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The Layperson's Guide to Historic Preservation Law
First published in 1997, this 44-page booklet provides a concise and comprehensible (no legalese) guide to federal, state and local laws governing historic resource protection amd includes updated information on transportation issues, eminent domain, easements, the American's with Disabilities Act, and the regulation of historic religious properties.

Guides to Preservation Law

Best Practices for Preservation Organizations Involved in Easement and Land Stewardship
Provides preservation easement holding organizations with guidance on the operation of easement programs and organizational best practices by applying Land Trust Standards and Practices.

Protecting Potential Landmarks through Demolition Review
Many communities are using demolition review to make sure that potentially significant older buildings are not demolished without notice and some level of review by a preservation commission. This Preservation Law publication, available as a PDF only, provides an in-depth explanation of the demolition review process. A list of demolition delay ordinances that have been adopted around the country is included.

Protecting Older Neighborhoods through Conservation District Programs
This booklet provides a basic overview of conservation districts and the conservation district ordinance. It includes helpful charts that outline the pros and cons of conservation districting and the differences between local historic districts and neighborhood conservation districts. It also includes an annotated list of jurisdictions that currently operate conservation district programs. Written by Julia Miller, editor of the Preservation Law Reporter, this 24-page booklet provides useful guidance for community leaders as they make decisions about how best to protect their neighborhood’s unique character.

Regulating Historic Religious Properties under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act
This Preservation Law publication offers a comprehensive look at the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), an act that prohibits any government from enacting or applying land-use laws, including historic preservation laws, to property owned or used by individuals or religious institutions in a manner that would substantially burden the exercise of religion.  

Establishing and Operating an Easement Program
New edition of a title that has been continually popular since it was first released in 1980. Revised and expanded by Julia Miller and Ross M. Bradford, it includes updated information on the charitable giving rules as applied to easements and an expanded discussion on issues relating to the operation of easement programs.  It also provides a useful discussion on the legal concepts behind easements, the tax benefits available to donors of easements, and key considerations in establishing an easement program.

Procedural Due Process in Plain English: A Guide for Preservation Commissions
Procedural Due Process in Plain English: A Guide For Preservation Commissions explains procedural due process and provides guidance on topics that commonly arise in the context of local ordinance granting regulatory powers to historic preservation commissions. The newest edition includes an annotated list of related case law. 

Takings Law in Plain English
Overview of takings law with suggestions for responding to the takings issue.