Historic Preservation Standards and Guidelines

To encourage consistent practices, the National Park Service has developed standards and guidelines that guide preservation work at the national, tribal, state, and local levels. In some cases, these standards can be regulatory. The guidelines explain the standards. The flagship of these preservation guideposts is The Secretary of the Interior's Standards and Guidelines for Archeology and Historic Preservation. These standards and guidelines complement federal historic preservation laws.

Archeology and Historic Preservation

The Secretary of the Interior's Standards and Guidelines for Archeology and Historic Preservation

Architectural and Engineering Documentation

The Secretary of the Interior's Standards and Guidelines for Architectural and Engineering Documentation

Federal Agency Historic Preservation Programs

The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Federal Agency Historic Preservation Programs Pursuant to the National Historic Preservation Act

Historic Vessel Preservation

The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Historic Vessel Preservation Projects, with Guidelines for Applying the Standards (pdf, 12 MB)

Rehabilitation

The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation (36 CFR 67) regulatory for the Historic Preservation Tax Incentives Program

• Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings
• Guidelines on Flood Adaptation for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings
• Guidelines on Sustainability for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings

Treatment of Historic Properties

The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties (36 CFR 68)

• The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring & Reconstructing Historic Buildings (Part 1: Preservation and Rehabilitation (PDF), Part 2 - Reconstruction and Restoration (PDF))

• Guidelines for the Treatment of Cultural Landscapes