For Property Owners
For Property Owners
South St. Pete CRA Housing and Neighborhood Grants
View the CRA Housing and Neighborhoods page for information on current grants.
Ad Valorem Tax Exemption for Historic Preservation
This is city and county program that exempts eligible property owners from an increase in city or county taxes resulting from an approved renovation for ten years. Available to individually listed historic properties or those contributing to a historic district, many of which are located in downtown St. Petersburg. Projects must expend in construction costs a sum at least 10% of the assessed taxable value of the property. Project must be reviewed and approved by the City of St. Petersburg prior to construction. City Council approves tax exemption after work is completed. The maximum incentive for a single family home is $100,000 and $1,000,000 for all others. Contact the City of St. Petersburg Urban Design and Historic Preservation at 727-893-7153 for more information.
Rehabilitation Tax Credit
Federal program for qualifying income-producing historic properties that allows a direct dollar for dollar reduction in the amount of income taxes owed. The amount of credit is 20% of the qualifying cost of the rehabilitation. For a $50,000 rehabilitation, this would equal a $10,000 credit on federal income taxes. This benefit applies to property that is individually listed in the National Register of Historic Places, or is identified as a contributing resource within a National Register Historic District.
Courtesy Design and Maintenance Assistance
City staff is credentialed in historic preservation and architectural history, and routinely provides courtesy assistance to the owners of historic properties with their maintenance and design decisions.
Adaptive Reuse
Landmark buildings may be re-purposed for land use types that are otherwise prohibited within the applicable zoning category. (St. Petersburg City Code Section 16.30.020). This benefit applies to property that is individually listed in the National Register of Historic Places, or is designated individually as a Local Historic Landmark.
Floor Area Ratio Exemption
Qualified local historic landmark properties are exempt from inclusion in the gross floor area calculation, meaning it has no depreciative impact on the development potential of new construction. (St. Petersburg City Code Section 16.20.120.6.1) This benefit applies to property that is designated individually as a Local Historic Landmark. Designation may be processed simultaneously with development approvals.
Florida Building Code Exemption
Pursuant to Section 1201 of the Florida Building Code, certain exemptions may be granted to protect the elements, spaces, and features that make qualified buildings historic or architecturally significant. Contributing resources within a National Register district and local historic landmarks can both qualify for this exception. View more information on the Florida Building Code Exemption.
Transfer of Development Rights for Historic Properties
Qualified local historic landmark properties may receive financial benefits through the sale of certain development rights attributable to other property owners who purchase them.
Certified Local Government Grants and Assistance
As a certified local government in historic preservation, matching grants are available for qualifying historic properties from the State of Florida for historic surveys, design assistance, acquisition, and rehabilitation preservation projects. Several grant categories are available with the most common for a small matching grant up to $50,000, while special category grants are available up to $500,000. Eligible applicants include state agencies, universities, local governments and units of local governments, as well as non-profit organizations. This could be a larger award where the owner or tenant qualifies, or a smaller award where the City partners to develop streetscape improvements and other enhancements, such as interpretative signage. View more information on Certified Local Government Grants and Assistance.
Conservation / Preservation Easement Incentive
Pursuant to FL Statute 704.06, tax deductions are available for donating certain architectural easements held by a local, state, and federal non-profit organization or government. A preservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement that protects a significant historic, archaeological, or cultural resource. An easement provides assurance to the owner of a historic or cultural property that the property's intrinsic values will be preserved through subsequent ownership. In addition, the owner may obtain certain tax benefits. For example, a façade easement donation allows a historic property to be used as it currently is, as well as, allowing compatible changes into the future, while preserving its exterior character and possibly increasing the economic viability of the building to future tenants. The Snell Arcade, located at the intersection of Central Avenue and 4th Street North, is one example of a building with an existing façade easement.
Florida Coastal Partnerships Initiative
As a linked program, matching grants and funding may be available locally through the State of Florida for historic working waterfronts and disaster-prone historic resources for improving resiliency to coastal hazards, revitalization, small construction projects, etc. Awards typically range from $30,000 and no less than $10,000 for construction projects or land acquisition; and no more than $15,000 and no less than $10,000 for planning, design and coordination activities.
Florida Mitigation Assistance Program
Funding is available through local communities, the State of Florida, and FEMA for retrofitting historic properties to become less prone to flooding. This includes design and construction assistance.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding
An array of funding and assistance is available for historic preservation activities within CDBG areas and neighborhoods including historic surveys, plans, rehabilitation, etc.