Virginia Law

Ordinarily cemeteries, birthplaces, or graves of historical figures, properties owned by religious institutions or used for religious purposes, structures that have been moved from their original locations, reconstructed historic buildings, properties primarily commemorative in nature, and properties that are less than 50 years old shall not be considered eligible for the Virginia Landmarks Register. However, such properties will qualify if they are integral parts of districts that do meet the criteria or if they fall within one or more of the following categories:

1. A religious property deriving primary significance from architectural or artistic distinction or historical importance: a religious property shall be judged solely on these secular terms to avoid any appearance of judgment by government about the merit of any religion or belief; or

2. A building or structure removed from its original location but which is significant primarily for architectural value, or which is the surviving structure most importantly associated with a historic person or event; or

3. A birthplace or grave of a historical figure of outstanding importance if there is no appropriate site or building directly associated with his productive life; or

4. A cemetery which derives its primary significance from graves of persons of transcendent importance, from age, from distinctive design features, or from association with historic events; or

5. A reconstructed building when accurately executed in a suitable environment and presented in a dignified manner as part of a restoration master plan, and when no other building or structure with the same association has survived; or

6. A property primarily commemorative in intent if design, age, tradition, or symbolic value has invested it with its own exceptional significance; or

7. A property less than 50 years old if it is of exceptional importance.