The Local Register of Historical Resources

The Local Register of Historical Resources goes beyond the National Register to offer additional protection and incentives for historic resources in the city. Even if a property is not located in a City of Venice Architectural Control District (Historic Venice or Venetian Theme district), it may be eligible for the Local Register.

Some of the benefits that Local Register status can provide to owners include:

• • A 10-year Ad Valorem Tax Exemption on qualified improvements
  • Ability to restore properties in a floodplain, even if the cost exceeds 50% of the assessed value (not permitted by FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program for properties not on the Register)
  • Modified enforcement of the Florida Building Code
  • Designation of properties as “conforming” for zoning considerations, regardless of current regulations
  • Special consideration of applications to the Planning Commission requesting home occupations and other special exceptions
  • Exemptions from fees normally required for development review permits

Benefits to the community include preservation of existing historic resources and careful management of the look and feel of Venice that our residents and visitors love. Properties on the Local Register may be from the John Nolen era of the city’s history (approximately 1926-1929), or they could be from any other significant historical style, time period, method of construction, or have other cultural merits. The Register is not only for homes, either; any kind of site with cultural, architectural, or archaeological significance may be eligible for this list. Once on the list, any addition, alteration, restoration, repair, relocation, or demolition related to the site is subject to additional review. The National Register is a great resource for our historic properties, but our Local Register provides an extra layer of protection and puts decisions about our community in the hands of our local experts and property owners.

The process to join the Local Register can be found in our Land Development Code, Chapter 87, Section 7.7.

View this Story Map to go on a virtual tour of the properties on the Local Register and obtain information on how to be included on the Local Register.