Local Historic Landmark Program

A second responsibility of the HRC is administration and management of the Local Historic Landmark (LHL) program. Individual properties can be locally designated through the appropriate governing board's adoption of an ordinance designating a specific property as a landmark. More than 100 properties [135.31 KB/pdf] throughout Forsyth County have been designated as LHL's. In order to be considered for LHL status, properties must be nominated by the property owner through a detailed LHL application [252.71 KB/pdf] process. There is a $50.00 application fee.

Once a property has been designated as a LHL, the property owner may apply to the Forsyth County Tax Office for a 50% property tax deferral. The deferral runs in perpetuity, unless the property loses its LHL status due to loss of its architectural integrity.

Additionally, once a property is designated as a LHL, the property owner must apply for a COA [83.09 KB/pdf] for alterations to any portion of the designated property (including interiors, if designated). This is accomplished through the same COA process described in the Local Historic Districts section above. Design review guidelines have been adopted for LHL's as well as the local districts and a Minor Work Projects Provision [74.37 KB/pdf] has also been adopted for landmark properties.