How to become a CLG

The process to become a Certified Local Government starts with the local government creating and passing an historic preservation ordinance.  A sample of the state's model historic preservation ordinance can be downloaded here.  The model provides all of the pieces that are needed to create an historic preservation program at the local level: an historic preservation commission, a local register of historic places, design review of locally listed properties, and the special tax valuation incentive.

Once the ordinance has been passed, the next step is to create the Historic Preservation Commission.  The Commission should include two professionals in fields that meet the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Professionals.  These are professionals like architects, historians, archaeologists or historic preservationists.  If you do not have representation from these professions on your commission right away, the requirement may be waived with a letter from your highest elected official which states what measures were undertaken in order to try to secure professionals for the Commission. DAHP also asks for statements of experience or interestin historic preservation from each of the appointed commissioners.

After the creation of the Commission, the group should work through the Bylaws and Rules of Procedure that are established for the Commission and administration of the program.  We have a great example of Bylaws from the Dayton Historic Preservation Commission that might help you get started.

In today's day and age, almost every community in Washington has had some survey and inventory work done to record potentially historic properties.  In the past, we asked for samples of a community's previously inventoried properties as well as maps showing the areas of the community considered to be well recorded.  With the advent of the WISAARD and HPI programs, DAHP already has access to all inventory records and we no longer require samples or maps from local governments.

Once you have all of the above items completed, you may then apply for Certified Local Government status.  Documentation needed for your application includes a copy of your Historic Preservation ordinance, copies of the statements from all Historic Preservation Commissioners, resumes or vitaes for professional members of the Commission OR if there are not professionals on the Commission - a letter from the highest elected official stating why there are not the required number of professionals, a resume from the staff person assigned to staff the commission from the City or County, and a copy of the Bylaws and Rules of Procedure for the Commission.

DAHP staff will then return a Certification Agreement to the local government for the highest elected official's signature.  Once that Certification Agreement has been signed and returned to our office, we will then forward your application to the National Park Service for final approval.