Resources for Older and Historic Properties
Summary of Available Resources
A variety of resources is available to support stewardship of older and historic places:
- All existing buildings: Energy efficiency rebates and incentives
- Historic landmarks: Tax exemption, grants
- Local historic districts: Rehabilitation tax abatement, grants
- Major rehabilitation projects: State and federal historic tax credits, rehabilitation tax abatement for historic districts, grants
- Older buildings housing low- and moderate-income families: Rehabilitation and repair grants, from structural work to plumbing to accessibility
- Cemeteries: Grants, organizations supporting cemetery preservation, research resources
- Legacy businesses: Tax rebates and promotion for iconic local businesses
Click into the accordion items below to learn more about each resource category and find important links.
Resources by Category
- Resources for All Existing Buildings
Energy Efficiency Incentives
Austin Energy offers rebates and incentives to increase the energy efficiency of existing buildings. Get help with heating, air conditioning, ventilation, lighting, pools, and water heaters. Multifamily properties are eligible for incentives for ENERGY STAR® appliances, high-efficiency lighting, ceiling insulation, cool roofs, and solar shading.
Low- and moderate-income homeowners can get free weatherization improvements such as attic insulation, weather stripping, solar screens, and water-efficient fixtures.
- Resources for Historic Landmarks
Partial Tax Exemption
- Historic landmark owners may receive an annual partial tax exemption to support maintenance. To receive the exemption, file an Application for Historic or Archeological Site Property Tax Exemption with the Travis Central Appraisal District between January 1 and April 30 of the year for which you are requesting an exemption. You must also maintain your property to certain standards.
- If your property is a homestead that was designated as a landmark after 2004 and/or has changed ownership since 2004, the exemption is capped at $8,500 annually.
Grants
- Preservation Austin offers grants up to $10,000 for education, brick-and-mortar work, planning, historic resource surveys, and local historic designation. These grants are awarded twice a year and require a match. Grants of up to $1,500 are awarded on a rolling basis and do not require a match.
- For historic properties that attract tourists: the City offers Heritage Preservation Grants up to $250,000 for capital improvements or up to $150,000 for heritage events occurring at historic properties. Residential properties are not eligible.
- Resources for Local Historic Districts
Rehabilitation Tax Abatement
Work on contributing properties in a local historic district is eligible for a City of Austin tax abatement. The program abates 100% of the City property taxes assessed on the added value of a property that results from the rehabilitation for 7-10 years. Improvements must comply with applicable design standards. Download the tax abatement application to view eligible work.
Property type Minimum expenditure^ Duration of abatement How often abatement may be granted Homestead 25% of pre-rehabilitation value of structure 7 years Every 10 years Income-producing 40% of pre-rehabilitation value of structure 10 years Every 15 years Homestead in Revitalization Area* 10% of pre-rehabilitation value of structure 10 years Every 15 years Income-producing in Revitalization Area* 30% of pre-rehabilitation value of structure 10 years Every 15 years ^ At least 5% of the pre-rehabilitation value of the structure (“the improvement”) must be spent on exterior work. The pre-rehabilitation value is determined by the most recent appraisal value of the property by the Travis Central Appraisal District before an abatement application is submitted.
* The Revitalization Area is bounded by Interstate 35 from Manor Road to Riverside Drive, Riverside Drive from Interstate 35 to Highway 71, Highway 71 from Riverside Drive to Highway 183, Highway 183 from Highway 71 to Manor Road, and Manor Road from Highway 183 to Interstate 35.
Grants
- Preservation Austin offers grants up to $10,000 for education, brick-and-mortar work, planning, historic resource surveys, and local historic designation. These grants are awarded twice a year and require a match. Grants of up to $1,500 are awarded on a rolling basis and do not require a match.
- For historic properties that attract tourists: the City offers Heritage Preservation Grants up to $250,000 for capital improvements or up to $150,000 for heritage events occurring at historic properties. Residential properties are not eligible.
- Resources for Major Rehabilitation Projects
Historic Tax Credits
- If you own an income-producing or nonprofit historic property designated at the federal or state level, you may qualify for the 25% Texas Historic Preservation Tax Credit. State and federal tax credits may be combined.
- If you own an income-producing historic property designated at the federal level, you may qualify for the 20% federal historic rehabilitation tax credit. This credit must be claimed on federal income taxes over the first five years after certification of substantial completion of work. Alternatively, it can be syndicated for equity. State and federal tax credits may be combined.
Rehabilitation Tax Abatement
Work on contributing properties in a local historic district is eligible for a City of Austin tax abatement. The program abates 100% of the City property taxes assessed on the added value of a property that results from the rehabilitation for 7-10 years. Improvements must comply with applicable design standards. Download the tax abatement application to view eligible work.
Property type Minimum expenditure^ Duration of abatement How often abatement may be granted Homestead 25% of pre-rehabilitation value of structure 7 years Every 10 years Income-producing 40% of pre-rehabilitation value of structure 10 years Every 15 years Homestead in Revitalization Area* 10% of pre-rehabilitation value of structure 10 years Every 15 years Income-producing in Revitalization Area* 30% of pre-rehabilitation value of structure 10 years Every 15 years ^ At least 5% of the pre-rehabilitation value of the structure (“the improvement”) must be spent on exterior work. The pre-rehabilitation value is determined by the most recent appraisal value of the property by the Travis Central Appraisal District before an abatement application is submitted.
* The Revitalization Area is bounded by Interstate 35 from Manor Road to Riverside Drive, Riverside Drive from Interstate 35 to Highway 71, Highway 71 from Riverside Drive to Highway 183, Highway 183 from Highway 71 to Manor Road, and Manor Road from Highway 183 to Interstate 35.
Grants
- For historic properties that attract tourists: the City offers Heritage Preservation Grants up to $250,000 for capital improvements or up to $150,000 for heritage events occurring at historic properties. Residential properties are not eligible.
- Resources for Older Buildings Housing Low- and Moderate-Income Families
Grants and Programs
People living in older and historic properties can receive grants and loans from Austin Housing. Households must meet income qualifications for all programs, which include:
- Architectural Barrier Removal helps make homes accessible for people with disabilities and senior Austinites. Available to both homeowners and renters.
- GO REPAIR! Grant Program helps to fix serious structural issues for Austinite homeowners and to make homes more accessible for homeowners with disabilities.
- Home Rehabilitation Loan Program offers 0% interest loans on repairs to help make owner-occupied homes safe.
- Minor Home Repair Grants help homeowners make repairs that pose an immediate threat to health and/or safety.
- Plumbing Program helps homeowners with plumbing repairs and water savings.
- Resources for Cemeteries
Grants
- For historic properties that attract tourists: the City offers Heritage Preservation Grants up to $250,000 for capital improvements or up to $150,000 for heritage events occurring at historic properties. Residential properties are not eligible.
- Preservation Austin offers grants up to $10,000 for education, brick-and-mortar work, planning, historic resource surveys, and local historic designation. These grants are awarded twice a year and require a match. Grants of up to $1,500 are awarded on a rolling basis and do not require a match.
Organizations Supporting Cemetery Preservation
Research Resources