Virginia Law

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Certified historic structure" means a building listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register, or certified by the Director of the Virginia Department of Historic Resources as contributing to the historic significance of a historic district that is listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register, or certified by the Director of the Department of Historic Resources as meeting the criteria for listing on the Virginia Landmarks Register. Portions of buildings, such as single condominium apartment units, are not independently eligible for certification as a certified historic structure. Rowhouses, even with abutting or party walls, are eligible for certification as a certified historic structure.

"Certified rehabilitation" means any rehabilitation of a certified historic structure that is certified by the Department of Historic Resources as consistent with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation (36 CFR 67.7).

"Commonwealth" means the Commonwealth of Virginia.

"Completion date" means the date the last eligible rehabilitation expense is incurred or the final certificate of occupancy (if appropriate) is issued.

"Completion year" means the calendar year in which the last eligible rehabilitation expense is incurred or the final certificate of occupancy (if appropriate) is issued.

"Department" means the Virginia Department of Historic Resources.

"Eligible rehabilitation expenses" means expenses as described in 17VAC10-30-110 incurred by a taxpayer in the material rehabilitation of a certified historic structure and added to the property's capital account.

"Historic district" means any district listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register by the Historic Resources Board according to the procedures specified in Chapter 22 (§ 10.1-2200 et seq.) of Title 10.1 of the Code of Virginia.

"Inspection" means a visit by an authorized representative of the Department of Historic Resources to a property for the purposes of reviewing and evaluating the significance of the structure and the ongoing or completed rehabilitation work.

"Material rehabilitation" means improvements or reconstruction consistent with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation (36 CFR 67.7), the cost of which amounts to at least 50% of the assessed value of the building for local real estate tax purposes for the year prior to the initial expenditure of any rehabilitation expenses, unless the building is an owner-occupied building, in which case the cost shall amount to at least 25% of the assessed value of such building for local real estate tax purposes for the year prior to the initial expenditure of any rehabilitation expenses. Material rehabilitation does not include enlargement or new construction.

"Owner" means the person, partnership, corporation, public agency, or other entity holding a fee simple interest in a property, or any other person or entity recognized by the Department of Taxation for purposes of the applicable tax benefits.

"Owner-occupied building" means any building, at least 75% of which is used as a personal residence by the owner, or which is available for occupancy by the owner for at least 75% of the year.

"Plan of rehabilitation" means a plan pursuant to which a certified historic structure will be materially rehabilitated.

"Program" means the Virginia Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program.

"Property" means a building and its site, environment, and landscape features.

"Rehabilitation" means the process of returning a building or buildings to a state of utility, through repair or alteration, that makes possible an efficient use while preserving those portions and features of the building and its site and environment which are significant to its historical, architectural, and cultural values as determined by the Department of Historic Resources.

"Standards for Rehabilitation" means the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation (36 CFR 67.7) established by the U.S. Department of the Interior.

"Start of rehabilitation" means the date upon which the taxpayer applies for the building permit for the work contemplated by the plan of rehabilitation, or the date upon which actual work contemplated by the plan of rehabilitation begins.

"Virginia Landmarks Register" means the list of historic landmarks, buildings, structures, districts, objects, and sites designated by the Virginia Landmarks Board, in accord with the procedures specified in Chapter 22 (§ 10.1-2200 et seq.) of Title 10.1 of the Code of Virginia.

"Work" means improvement, reconstruction, repair, rehabilitation, or any other alteration to a building.