Historic properties may qualify for significant tax savings

Belvedere's Historic Preservation Committee has worked diligently toward the goal of soliciting additional properties to apply for historic designation. The Committee found that the biggest incentive to apply for designation was the potential to qualify for a Mills Act Agreement. The Mills Act Agreement, in most cases, lowers the amount of property tax, sometimes quite dramatically. And when a property is sold, the amount of property taxes remains the same.

The Committee has prepared a Mills Act Fact Sheet to assist the public in understanding what the Mills Act is and how an agreement can be helpful to a property designated as historic.

Homeowners interested in pursuing a historic designation must file a formal application with the Historic Preservation Committee and pay a filing fee of $50.00. The Committee will survey the property and prepare a case report, using nationally recognized criteria. Ultimately, the Planning Commission and City Council must approve the designation. Once becoming a designated historic property of the City of Belvedere, the owner can voluntarily request to enter into a Mills Act Agreement with the City.