Newtown National Register Historic District Project

UPDATE:  On April 19, 2024, the Newtown Historic District was officially listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

The creation of a Newtown National Register Historic District was supported through a grant from the Underrepresented Communities grant program as administered by the National Park Service, Department of Interior.

To see the Newtown Historic Resources Report, click here: Newtown Historic Resources Report

To see the Nomination for the National Register of Historic Places, click here: Newtown National Register Nomination

In 2020, the City of Sarasota was awarded an Underrepresented Communities grant from the U.S. National Park Service to support the creation of a Newtown National Register Historic District. The Underrepresented Communities Grant Program is funded by the Historic Preservation Fund with an objective to diversify the National Register of Historic Places. The nomination to list the Newtown Community on the National Register of Historic Places has been completed. It will be sent to Florida's National Register review board, with the final step being submission to the National Park Service in Washington, D.C., for final review and listing. Being a part of the National Register Historic District will honor the Newtown community's rich cultural heritage and create new opportunities, including incentives for Newtown's historic buildings. 

See the FAQ to find out what listing in the National Historic Register means to property owners and what some of the incentives they may be eligible to receive as part of that designation.

FAQs:

Q: What does it mean for my property to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places?

A: Listing in the National Register of Historic Places:

• Recognizes that the area is significant to the history of the community, state, or nation.
• Allows the owners of income-producing properties certain federal tax incentives for rehabilitation.
• In Florida, counties or cities may grant ad-valorem tax relief for owners of properties that are listed or eligible for listing in the National Register or in a local district. When a property is improved, its value increases and the assessment is raised accordingly.
• Provides limited protection from adverse effects by federal or state-involved projects.

Listing may exempt a property from certain Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requirements and make it eligible for some Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and building safety code adjustments.

• It will not automatically preserve a building or keep it from being modified or destroyed.
• Private owners are not required to open their property to the public.
• The federal government will not attach restrictive covenants to a property or seek to acquire it because of its listing on the National Register.
• Listing identifies properties that planners should consider when developing projects.

The National Register of Historic Places does not in any way limit an owner's handling of the property.  

Q: What incentives are available for homes with local historic designation?

A: City of Sarasota Incentives for Local Historic Designation include:

• City and County Ten-Year Ad Valorem Tax Exemption: Together with the Sarasota County's tax exemption regulation, Article V of Chapter 66 of the Sarasota County Code, and the City of Sarasota's Ordinance No. 18-5262, property owners can now apply for an exemption to the increase in their ad-valorem taxes attributed to qualifying improvements on historically designated properties. The exemption applies to county and city ad valorem taxes for up to ten years. Already, owners of Locally Designated homes are successfully taking advantage of this new incentive. 
• Up to 25% Administrative Variance / Adjustment
• Historic Preservation Board Variance / Adjustment
• Administrative Historic Reuse for Designated Structures: On January 21, 2020, the City Commission passed the new Historic Preservation Chapter of the Zoning Code. This updated zoning code added new incentives for owners of Locally Historically Designated buildings: Section IV-808 Historic Reuse. Historic reuse now allows an owner of a locally designated structure to apply to the Planning Director to have a low-impact commercial office or retail sales and services within a residentially zoned district building. 
• Please visit https://www.sarasotafl.gov/government/planning/historic-preservation for additional information

Q:  Once listed on the National Register of Historic Places, are there additional restrictions or approvals required by the federal government if I want to renovate or demolish the structure on my property?

A:  No.  The federal government will not attach restrictive covenants to a property for renovation or demolition because of its listing on the National Register of Historic Places.  However, a homeowner will still be required to follow all local land use regulations when filing a building permit with the City of Sarasota. 

Q:  Who should I contact if I have additional questions?

A:  Dr. Clifford Smith, City of Sarasota Senior Planner at (941) 263-6585 or the Florida Department of State – Bureau of Historic Preservation at (850) 245-6333.

The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the U.S. Government. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by the U.S. Government.