The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation are ten principles to follow when planning rehabilitation work on a historic building. By emphasizing repair over replacement and accommodating reasonable change for new uses, they seek to ensure the preservation of those qualities which are important to the building’s historic character.

Because rehabilitation focuses on successfully adapting historic buildings for contemporary uses, it may be considered somewhat more flexible than more traditional treatments, such as preservation and restoration. But even though rehabilitation allows for more change, a historic building's distinctive materials, features, and spaces still must be preserved.

A project must meet all ten Standards to be eligible to receive the 20% tax credit.

Points to remember when planning rehabilitation project work:

Preserve historic materials Sandblasting—a harsh abrasive method that is not appropriate for historic materals—has caused irreversible pitting damage to the lower portion of brick. Historic materials should always be cleaned using the gentlest means possible. Photo: Courtesy, Illinois Historic Preservation Agency

Preserve distinctive features Removing the decorative cornice from the top of this 19th-century commercial building would detract from its overall historic character. Distinctive features should be retained and preserved. Photo: NPS files

Preserve important interior spaces If this dramatic 2-story lobby were to be subdivided by inserting another floor, its historic character would be jeopardized. Distinctive interior spaces should be preserved. Photo: NPS files

Home | TPS | NPS History & Culture | National Park Service | U.S. Department of the Interior | USA.gov | Privacy & Disclaimer | FOIA | Search