Oregon Statutes - Chapter 358 - Museums; Historical Societies; Preservation of Historical and Archaeological Properties and Objects; Oregon Historic Families Database - Section 358.487 - Application for classification and assessment as historic property; term of assessment; exclusion from participation; fee.

(1)(a) An owner of historic property desiring classification and special assessment under ORS 358.480 to 358.545 for the property may make application for the classification and special assessment to the State Historic Preservation Officer on forms approved by the State Historic Preservation Officer. The forms shall include or be accompanied by the written consent of the owner to the viewing of the property by the State Historic Preservation Officer. Any application made under this subsection shall include a preservation plan and be sent by the State Historic Preservation Officer to the appropriate county assessor, local landmark commission and governing body. An application must be made during the calendar year preceding the first property tax year for which classification and special assessment as historic property is desired.

(b) Classification and special assessment pursuant to an application made under this subsection shall be granted only for 15 consecutive property tax years, commencing in the tax year beginning on the July 1 following the calendar year in which the application was made.

(2)(a) An owner may make preliminary application for classification of property as historic upon approval by the State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation of the nomination of the property for listing on the National Register of Historic Places or, if the National Register of Historic Places ceases accepting nominations, the nomination of the property for listing on an Oregon register of historic places.

(b) The preliminary application shall be considered an application made or received for purposes of subsection (1) of this section if, by September 15 of the year for which classification and special assessment are first sought, the property is:

(A) Listed in the National Register of Historic Places; or

(B) If the National Register of Historic Places ceases accepting nominations, approved for listing on an Oregon register of historic places.

(c) If the requirements of paragraph (b) of this subsection are not satisfied, the preliminary application may not be considered an application made for purposes of subsection (1) of this section until the calendar year in which, as of September 15, the property is listed as described in paragraph (b) of this subsection.

(3) Immediately upon receipt of a copy of the application under subsection (1) of this section, the county assessor shall review the application for accuracy and completeness of description and other matters within the expertise of the county assessor and shall make recommendations regarding the classification to the State Historic Preservation Officer.

(4)(a) Immediately upon receipt of a copy of the application under subsection (1) of this section, the governing body shall review the application for matters relating to public benefit and shall make recommendations regarding the classification to the State Historic Preservation Officer.

(b) A governing body may exclude certain districts or properties from participation in the special assessment program under criteria established by the governing body. In adopting criteria, the governing body shall consider whether a district is in economic distress and the value of the property in the district.

(5) By making application for classification and assessment under this section, the owner consents that the State Historic Preservation Officer has access to the property for inspection at reasonable times to ensure that the terms of the national register or other federal or state laws or requirements are being met.

(6) The application for classification and assessment under ORS 358.480 to 358.545 may not be processed unless accompanied by a nonrefundable fee of one-third of one percent of the real market value of the property, as of the assessment date, for the year in which application is made. The fee shall be deposited in the State Parks and Recreation Department Fund for use by the State Parks and Recreation Director or for transfer to the Oregon Property Management Account established under ORS 358.680 to 358.690, upon the advice of the State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation. [1995 c.693 §3; 1997 c.541 §427; 2001 c.540 §4; 2005 c.22 §257; 2007 c.718 §1]

Note: Section 4 (2), chapter 718, Oregon Laws 2007, provides: Sec. 4. (2) Nothing in the amendments to ORS 358.487, 358.540 and 358.541 by sections 1 to 3 of this 2007 Act affects the status of property that is classified as historic property on the effective date of this 2007 Act [September 27, 2007]. Such property may continue to receive special assessment under ORS 358.480 to 358.545 until the completion of the 15-year term that is in effect on the effective date of this 2007 Act. [2007 c.718 §4(2)]

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Last modified: August 7, 2008