State Property Tax Moratorium
State Property Tax Moratorium supports owners of registered historic buildings by delaying assessment increases from certified rehabilitation work, encouraging investment that preserves historic character.
Funder: South Dakota State Historical Society
Due Dates: November 1, 2026 (annual application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Eight-year moratorium on property tax assessment increases attributable to certified improvements
Summary: This incentive encourages rehabilitation of registered historic properties by delaying assessment increases attributable to certified work.
Key Information: Owners must record an eight-year preservation covenant and allow public viewing of approved work for 12 hours annually.
Description
The South Dakota State Historical Society’s State Property Tax Moratorium is a historic preservation incentive for owners who restore or rehabilitate registered historic structures. Rather than paying for construction, it prevents the property tax assessment from increasing because of certified improvements for eight years. Both private residences and income-producing properties may qualify.
The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) reviews applications and recommends projects to the Society’s Board of Trustees. The Board certifies work based on the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. The incentive is intended to encourage investment in historic buildings while protecting the features that give them historic character.
