What is a feature?

Qualified residences and historic buildings have features characteristic of the style and period in which they were built. Features are found on the exterior and interior of historic buildings. These are the features that this program encourages to remain and repair, or replace in kind, during projects that upgrade or repurpose historic buildings.

The review criteria for the compatible treatment of the historic building and its features are the ten Secretary of the Interiors Standards for Rehabilitation. The standards are provided in Appendix D of the Instructions, and links for compatible treatments are on the OHP Architectural Review webpage.

A project Application Narrative Template fillable PDF is provided in the Application. Each page has numbered blocks where each feature is described and located on or in the building, and a space to describe if or how the project impacts each feature, whether it is left as-is, or cleaned, repaired, or replaced in kind.

Features or elements proposed for in-kind replacement must justify the replacement by documenting that the majority of existing features are too damaged to economically repair.

Examples of exterior features would be landscape objects such as a fountain or well, brackets at roof eaves, gable pediments, decorative window head trim called hoods, siding that is clapboard, shiplap or shingle, windows that are fixed or double hung, sash that has many panes or no panes, and so on.

Materials can be a feature of a building’s style and period built. Examples of materials typical of a mid-century modern residence could be vertical wood battens, brick, stone or other masonry, and stucco.

Spaces can be a character-defining feature, such as an open courtyard in an Eichler residence, or the volume of a theater house.

Links for further discussion and examples of period styles and features, and sample narratives, are available in guidelines for the SHRTC on the OHP State Tax Credit web page.

Begin the description of project features from the large scale to the small scale, and from exterior to interior. Block 1 should describe the property and prominent landscaping, foundation landscaping, sidewalks, stairs or retaining walls, elements like porches, chimneys turrets, etc.

Continue with a description of one feature per block found on the exterior of the building.

Windows are described in their own block.

Continue to the inside of the qualified residence or historic building. Describe any features typical of the building, such as trim or detailed carpentry, use of several materials, ceiling heights or formal spaces.

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Describe each room per block. Note ceiling, wall and floor material, ornamental plaster or wood trim, window casings, heating elements like radiators, pocket doors, etc.

Note the condition of the existing mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems using as many blocks as needed. In the project impact space, note if the system or its elements remain in place, are repaired or replaced in part or in whole.

In each block, use the project impact space to describe how the proposed project affects the features, whether they remain in place, cleaned or maintained, repaired or replaced in kind. Replacement in kind must be justified.

If the guidelines referenced in the OHP state tax credit website do not resolve questions, email the OHP staff at calshpo.tax@parks.ca.gov using the subject line “ Request for technical assistance”. Describe the question or issue in the body of the email and preferred contact method using email or a phone call. Provide a phone number and a staff member will return a call shortly to resolve the issue.

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