DEPARTMENT OF STATE  
MICHIGAN HISTORICAL CENTER  
HISTORIC PRESERVATION CERTIFICATION  
(By authority conferred on the department of state by section 266 of 1967 PA 281,  
MCL 206.266 and section 39c of 1975 PA 228, MCL 208.39c)  
R 206.151 Purpose.  
Rule 1. The purpose of these rules is to prescribe the procedures whereby a  
taxpayer may request certification of historic significance, a rehabilitation plan,  
and a completed rehabilitation of a historic resource before seeking a tax credit.  
History: 1998 - 2000 AACS.  
R 206.152 Definitions.  
Rule 2. (1) As used in these rules:  
(a) "Federal secretary" means the United States secretary of the interior, or a  
designee authorized by the secretary, in the course of carrying out the secretary's  
responsibilities to certify historic significance, rehabilitation plans, and rehabilitation  
work under federal law.  
(b) "Inspection" means a visit by an authorized representative of the center to a  
certified or potentially certified historic resource for the purposes of reviewing and  
evaluating the significance of the historic resource or the ongoing or completed  
rehabilitation or for the purpose of determining whether an unapproved alteration to  
the completed rehabilitation was made during the 5 years after the tax year in which a  
tax credit was claimed.  
(c) "Michigan historical center" or "center" means the state historic preservation  
office of the Michigan historical center of the department of state or its successor  
agency.  
(d) "Owner" means a person, partnership, corporation, or public body holding a  
fee simple interest in a resource or any  
(e) "Rehabilitation" means the process of returning a building, structure, or other  
historic resource to a useful state, through repair or alteration, which makes possible an  
efficient or a functional use while preserving the portions and features of the historic  
resource that are significant to its historical, architectural, and cultural values.  
(f) "Standards and guidelines" means the federal secretary's standards for  
rehabilitation and guidelines for rehabilitating historic buildings set forth in, and  
authorized by, 36 C.F.R. section 67.7.  
(g) "Tax credit" means a credit against a federal tax as allowed by section 47(a)(2)  
of the internal revenue code of 1990, 26 U.S.C. section 47, or against a state tax as  
allowed by section 266 of 1967 PA 281, MCL 206.266, or section 39c of 1975 PA 228,  
MCL 208.39c.  
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(2) A word or term defined in section 266 of 1967 PA 281, MCL 206.266, or  
section 39c of 1975 PA 228, MCL 208.39c, has the same meaning when used in these  
rules.  
History: 1998 - 2000 AACS.  
R 206.153 Preliminary information.  
Rule 3. A person who owns or leases a resource which the person believes to be a  
historic resource and which, if rehabilitated, could qualify the person for a tax credit may  
communicate with the Michigan historical center and request information on a  
preliminary basis with respect to whether the resource is historic, whether a  
rehabilitation plan appears to conform with standards and guidelines, or whether  
completed rehabilitation appears to conform with standards and guidelines.  
History: 1998 - 2000 AACS.  
R 206.154 Certification; historic significance.  
Rule 4. (1) A person who is eligible to apply for a tax credit shall first submit an  
application to the center for certification of historic significance of the person's  
possible historic resource. If the person is eligible to claim a federal tax credit or both  
federal and state tax credits, then the person shall apply on a historic preservation  
certification application prescribed by the national park service. The person shall also  
file, at the same time, a declaration of location and other project information  
prescribed by the Michigan historical center. If the person is eligible to claim a state tax  
credit exclusively, then the person shall apply only on a historic preservation  
certification application prescribed by the center. The person shall file 2 copies of each  
application and declaration.  
(2) An application shall contain the information requested in the application.  
The application shall include, but is not limited to, all of the following information:  
(a) Name and mailing address of each owner or long-term lessee, if any, seeking  
the credit.  
(b) Common modern name and historic name, if any, of the resource.  
(c) Address of the resource.  
(d) Name of the historic district, if applicable.  
(e) All of the following photographs:  
(i) Current photographs of the resource.  
(ii) Photographs of the building or structure, site, and landscaping before alteration.  
(iii) Photographs showing the property in conjunction with adjacent properties  
and structures along the streetscape.  
(iv) A photograph of each distinct interior space, such as a room, and each  
significant interior feature.  
(f) A brief description of the resource, including major alterations, distinctive  
features and spaces, and dates of construction activity.  
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(g) A brief statement of significance, summarizing how the resource reflects  
historical values, including the values that may give a designated historic district its  
distinctive character.  
(h) A map clearly locating the resource in a local unit or in an established  
historic district.  
(i) The social security number or federal taxpayer identification number of each  
applicant.  
(j) The signature of each applicant.  
(3) Together with the application, an applicant shall submit only attachments  
that the center deems necessary to perform an evaluation and a determination. The  
center shall notify an applicant, in writing, if additional information or materials are  
required. If the center notifies the applicant of the need for additional information or  
materials, then the center shall refrain from processing the application until the  
requested information or materials, or both, have been furnished.  
(4) Upon receipt of a complete and adequately documented application and a  
declaration, if applicable, the center, within 45 days of receipt, shall review the  
submission to determine the eligibility of a possible historic resource for participation  
in the federal or state tax credit program, or both. The center shall also evaluate the  
significance and status of the possible historic resource, including whether it qualifies  
as a historic resource for purposes of the federal and state tax credit programs.  
(5) Upon completion of an evaluation and determination of historic  
significance, including an evaluation of whether a resource is a historic resource and, if  
so, whether the historic resource is located in an eligible location, the center shall  
directly, or through the federal secretary, notify the applicant, in writing, of its  
determination on the application for historic significance certification.  
History: 1998 - 2000 AACS.  
R 206.155 Certification; rehabilitation plan.  
Rule 5. (1) To initiate a review of a rehabilitation plan for certification purposes, a  
person shall complete part 2 of the historic preservation certification application  
prescribed by the national park service or part 2 of the historic preservation certification  
application prescribed by the Michigan historical center, whichever is appropriate, and  
submit 2 copies of the application to the center. The applicant shall pay the fee as  
prescribed in 36 C.F.R. section 67.11 for a federal application before receipt of a  
certification on part 2 of a federal application. In each instance, the applicant shall  
attach to the application adequate supporting documentation and photographs deemed  
sufficient by the center to document the interior and  
exterior appearance of a structure, its site, and environment before the  
commencement of rehabilitation. The applicant shall furnish any additional  
documentation, such as window surveys or masonry cleaning specifications, requested  
by the center. In addition, the applicant shall include the applicant's social security  
number or federal taxpayer identification number, as appropriate, on the application.  
Each applicant shall sign the application. Verification of the resource's state  
equalized value shall accompany the application. Plans for adjacent, attached, or  
related new construction shall also accompany the application.  
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(2) Upon receipt of a complete and adequately documented part 2 of an  
application as described in subrule (1) of this rule, the center within 45 days shall  
review the submission to determine whether the applicant's rehabilitation plan meets  
the federal secretary's standards and guidelines. If the center deems that additional  
information or documentation is needed to evaluate the submission, then the center shall  
notify the applicant in writing and shall refrain from processing the application  
until the information or documents, or both, have been furnished. To qualify for  
certification, a proposed rehabilitation plan shall comport with each element of the  
secretary's 10 standards, to the extent applicable.  
(3) If the application is prescribed by the center and the center determines that  
a rehabilitation plan does not meet the federal secretary's standards and guidelines, then  
the center shall notify the applicant, in writing, of the determination. Where possible,  
the center shall also advise the applicant, by means of an explanatory letter, of the  
revisions necessary to meet the standards and guidelines. An applicant, upon receipt of  
written notice, may revise the rehabilitation plan and resubmit a revised proposed plan  
to the center. The center shall refrain from processing the application further until the  
necessary revisions have been made and furnished.  
(4) If the center determines that a rehabilitation plan meets the federal secretary's  
standards and guidelines, then the center shall directly, or through the federal  
secretary, notify the applicant, in writing, of the determination.  
History: 1998 - 2000 AACS.  
R 206.156 Certification; completed rehabilitation.  
Rule 6. (1) To initiate a review of completed rehabilitation, a person shall  
complete the "request for certification of completed work" portion of the historic  
preservation certification application prescribed by the national park service or the  
comparable portion of the historic preservation certification application prescribed by  
the Michigan historical center, whichever is appropriate, and submit 2 copies of the  
application to the center. The applicant shall pay the fee as prescribed in 36 C.F.R  
section 67.11 for a federal application or as prescribed in R 206.157 for a state  
application, whichever is appropriate, before issuance of a certification regarding  
completed rehabilitation. The application shall include the project completion date,  
the social security number or federal taxpayer identification number of the applicant,  
and a signed statement that the completed rehabilitation is consistent with part 2 of  
the application and meets the federal secretary's standards and guidelines. The  
application shall be accompanied by photographs adequate to document the completed  
rehabilitation.  
(2) Upon receipt of a complete and adequately documented request for  
certification of completedwork and other items as described in subrule (1) of this rule,  
the center, within 45 days of receipt, shall perform a review to determine whether the  
completed rehabilitation conforms with the rehabilitation plans and plan amendments,  
if any, and meets the federal secretary's standards and guidelines. The center shall  
determine conformance to the standards and guidelines on the basis of application  
documentation and other available information showing the historic resource as it  
existed in its historic setting. To qualify for certification, the completed  
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rehabilitation work shall comport with each element of the secretary's 10 standards, to  
the extent applicable.  
(3) If the center determines that the rehabilitation does not meet the federal  
secretary's standards and guidelines, then the center, directly or through the federal  
secretary, shall notify the applicant of the determination in writing. The center  
may require changes in the rehabilitation that enable the rehabilitation to meet the  
federal standards and guidelines. The center shall refrain from processing the  
application further until the required changes in the rehabilitation have been made.  
(4) If the center determines that the rehabilitation meets the federal secretary's  
standards and guidelines, then the center shall, directly or through the federal  
secretary, notify both the applicant and the Michigan department of treasury of the  
determination.  
History: 1998 - 2000 AACS.  
R 206.157 Fees.  
Rule 7. (1) An applicant who submits a historic preservation certification  
application prescribed by the national park service is responsible for the payment of  
fees in the amount, and to the office, prescribed in 36 C.F.R. section 67.11.  
(2) An applicant who submits a historic preservation certification application  
prescribed by the Michigan historical center is responsible for payment of fees in the  
amount, and to the office, prescribed in subrule (3) of this rule. An applicant shall not  
make payment until the center requests payment. An applicant shall make a check or  
other instrument payable to the "State of Michigan." The center shall not make a  
certification decision until the appropriate remittance has been received. All fees  
are nonrefundable.  
(3) An applicant shall remit fees to the center on the basis of the following fee  
schedule:  
Fee  
Size of rehabilitation  
No fee  
$0.00 to $999.00.  
$25.00  
$1,000.00 to $3,999.00.  
$4,000.00 to $9,999.00.  
$10,000.00 to $19,999.00.  
$20,000.00 to $99,999.00.  
$100,000.00 to $499,999.00.  
$500,000.00 to $999,999.00.  
$1,000,000.00 or more.  
$100.00  
$250.00  
$500.00  
$800.00  
$1,500.00  
$2,500.00  
(4) An applicant who submits a declaration of location as prescribed in R 206.154  
shall submit a processing fee of $25.00. An applicant shall make a check or other  
instrument payable to the "State of Michigan." All processing fees are nonrefundable.  
History: 1998 - 2000 AACS.  
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R 206.158 Inspection; revocation.  
Rule 8. (1) The center may conduct an inspection of a historic resource at any  
reasonable time within 5 years after completion of rehabilitation.  
(2) The center may issue a revocation of a certification, after giving the applicant  
30 days' written notice, if the center determines that a rehabilitation was not  
undertaken in conformity with the federal secretary's standards and guidelines or if the  
applicant, after obtaining certification, undertook further unapproved work  
inconsistent with the standards and guidelines. The center shall notify the  
department of treasury of a revocation issued under this subrule. The department of  
treasury shall  
determine the Michigan tax consequences of a revocation of certification, if any. An  
applicant may appeal a revocation of certification under this subrule under R 206.159.  
(3) The owner or lessee of a certified historic resource shall notify the center if a  
property has been damaged, altered, or otherwise substantially changed after issuance  
of a certification of historic significance. Upon receipt of notice and upon further  
investigation, the center may issue a  
revocation of historic certification. The center shall furnish a copy of the revocation  
of certification to the department of treasury. The department of treasury shall determine  
the Michigan tax consequences of a revocation of certification, if any. The owner or  
lessee of a resource may appeal a revocation of certification under this subrule under  
R 206.159.  
History: 1998 - 2000 AACS.  
R 206.159 Appeals.  
Rule 9. (1) A person may appeal a denial of an application for certification  
submitted under these rules or a revocation issued under R 206.158. If the appeal  
involves a historic preservation certification application prescribed by the national park  
service, then the appellant shall follow the procedures set forth in 36 C.F.R. section  
67.10. If the appeal involves a historic preservation certification application, letter  
of declaration prescribed by the Michigan historical center, or a revocation issued  
under R 206.158, then the appellant shall follow the procedures prescribed in this  
rule.  
(2) To file an appeal under this rule, an appellant shall submit a written appeal that  
specifically states the word appeal and identifies the reason or reasons for reversal of the  
denial. For an appeal to be considered, the appellant shall file the appeal within 60 days  
of the appellant's receipt of the decision that is the subject of the appeal. The appeal  
shall be addressed to the Chief Appeals Officer, Michigan Historical Center, Michigan  
Department of State, 717 W. Allegan Street, Lansing, MI 48918-1800. All  
information, records, and other materials that the appellant wants considered shall  
accompany the written appeal.  
(3) The chief appeals officer shall contact the center and obtain a copy of the center's  
official file on the application at issue. The officer shall consider all of the following,  
but shall not conduct a hearing:  
(a) The center's file.  
(b) All written submissions from the appellant.  
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(c) All pertinent standards and guidelines affecting the historic resource.  
(d) Any other available information.  
(4) Within 60 days, the officer shall prepare a written decision and shall furnish a  
copy of the decision to the appellant and the center.  
An appeal constitutes an  
administrative review of the denial and is not conducted as a contested case proceeding.  
(5) When considering an appeal, the chief appeals officer shall assess alleged  
errors in professional judgment and other alleged prejudicial errors of fact or law. The  
officer may base a decision in whole or in part on matters or factors not addressed in  
the appealed decision. When rendering a decision, the officer may do 1 of the following:  
(a) Reverse the appealed decision.  
(b) Affirm the appealed decision.  
(c) Resubmit the matter for further consideration.  
(6) The decision of the chief appeals officer is the final decision on the appeal. A  
person may not be deemed to have exhausted his or her administrative remedies  
with respect to the certifications governed by these rules until the chief appeals officer  
has issued a final administrative decision under these rules.  
History: 1998 - 2000 AACS.  
R 206.160 Sale or transfer of resource; notification.  
Rule 10. If a person has received a certification under these rules and sells or  
otherwise transfers the person's historic resource within 5 years of receipt of  
certification, then the person shall notify the Michigan historical center and the  
department of treasury of the sale or transfer.  
History: 1998 - 2000 AACS.  
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;