Historic Preservation FAQs

Below are resources and answers for frequently asked questions.

Is my property within the environs of a historic district/historic landmark? Is my property in a historic district?

 

https://gisapp.wycokck.org/Html5Viewer/index.html?viewer=UGMAPS4.UGMAPS4

Search the address, turn on the historic district layer, the historic district environs layer, the historic landmark layer, and the historic landmark environs layer in the sidebar. If your property falls into one of these categories, you may have to complete an Environs Review or a Certificate of Appropriateness before beginning exterior work.

 

What work on my house needs an Environs Review or Certificate of Appropriateness?

If your property is within 200 ft. of a locally designated historic district or historic landmark, you will need an Environs Review for work done on the exterior when the dimensions of windows or doors are changed or if the windows or doors are removed entirely, extensive roof work that replaces more than just the shingles or a replacement that is not in-kind, new additions or buildings, or a siding replacement that is not in-kind. An Environs Review is administrative, so the turnaround is usually a few weeks.

If your property is in a locally designated historic district, you will need a Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior work that includes the dimensions of windows or doors are changed or if the windows or doors are removed entirely, extensive roof work that replaces more than just the shingles, new additions or buildings, or a siding replacement that is not in-kind. A Certificate of Appropriateness goes to the Landmarks Commission and needs to be submitted to the Department of Planning and Urban Design to make it onto the next available Landmarks Commission meeting.

 

Refer to Section 27-149 of the KCK Code of Ordinances for complete section on what work qualifies for a Certificate of Appropriateness: ARTICLE IV. - HISTORIC LANDMARKS AND HISTORIC DISTRICTS | Code of Ordinances | Wyandotte County - Unified Government, KS | Municode Library

 

Refer to Section 27-152(b)(5) for exempted work: ARTICLE IV. - HISTORIC LANDMARKS AND HISTORIC DISTRICTS | Code of Ordinances | Wyandotte County - Unified Government, KS | Municode Library

 

Is my property eligible for historic tax credits?

A historic property is eligible for historic tax credits if it is listed individually or as a contributing building to a historic district on the Kansas Register of Historic Places or the National Register of Historic Places. Buildings that are designated at the local level only are not eligible to participate in the historic tax credits program. You can check eligibility on the Kansas Historic Resources Inventory website: https://khri.kansasgis.org/. Choose the ‘Interactive Map’ tab under the orange bar and search your address.  

 

How do I apply for historic tax credits?

Credits can and should be applied for at the same time you are applying for a SHPO review for the proposed scope of work. Check with the Kansas State Historic Preservation Office in this link: https://www.kshs.org/p/tax-credit-basics/14673

State Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit:

 https://www.kshs.org/p/state-historic-rehabilitation-tax-credit/14666

Federal Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits (must be an income-producing building):

https://www.kshs.org/p/federal-historic-rehabilitation-tax-credits/14610

While there are no tax credits available to local landmarks, the UG does have a tax rebate program through the Neighborhood Revitalization Act (NRA): https://www.wycokck.org/Departments/Economic-Development/Incentives#section-5

 

Is my historic property eligible for grants?

Check with https://www.kshs.org/p/grants/14613. The Heritage Trust Fund is available to private individuals who own properties listed on the state and national register. 

 

What is the process of submitting a Landmark Designation application for the KCK Register of Historic Places?

Complete a Landmarks Commission application and submit all appropriate materials for a complete application. A planner will review the case and complete a staff report on the requested designation, then the case will go to the Landmarks Commission for their final determination. The Landmarks Commission meets the first Monday of the month.

Landmarks Commission Application (English): https://www.wycokck.org/files/assets/public/planning-amp-urban-design/documents/applications/2021-landmarks-application-packet_eng.pdf

Landmarks Commission Application (Español):

https://www.wycokck.org/files/assets/public/planning-amp-urban-design/documents/applications/2021-landmarks-application-packet_esp.pdf

 

My property is a state or national landmark or in a state or national historic district but not locally designated. Do I need to submit any forms before doing work on my property?

Yes, you must submit a scope of work to the Kansas State Historic Preservation Office before starting any work on the building. Link to portal: https://review.kshs.org/Account/Login

 

I’m interested in learning more about my property. What are the resources to research in KCK?

The Wyandotte County Historical Museum has extensive collections on the history of Wyandotte County, including images and newspapers. They may not have everything you are looking for but they are a wealth of knowledge: https://www.wycokck.org/Departments/Wyandotte-County-Historical-Museum. Another resource is the Kansas City Public Library: https://www.kckpl.org/. They have digitized newspapers available in the ecommunity database section. The library also has the Kansas Room which is an area specifically for Kansas City history. The hours are Tuesdays 9am – Noon, Thursdays 1-4pm, or by appointment. Kansas Room Information: https://www.kckpl.org/kansas/documents/20170405-kansas-room-brochure.pdf