A preservation easement or covenant is a legal agreement between the owner of a historic property and the Historic Petersburg Foundation, Inc. (HPF) that establishes protection of the historic and architectural features of the property in perpetuity.
Historically, since the 1970s, HPF has recorded protective easements or covenants on historic properties it has owned and resold. Current owners are legally obligated to honor the terms of the easement. HPF holds more than 160 easements on properties throughout Petersburg. While many are located within Petersburg’s seven locally-designated historic districts (that fall under the purview of the ARB), it should be noted that HPF review of changes to properties with HPF-held easements is a separate process. If you are unsure if HPF holds an easement on your property or if you wish to obtain a copy of your easement language, please feel free to contact us. Easements or protective covenants typically convey through deeds and should be identified and disclosed as part of the title search process when a property changes hands.
Covenants or easements are meant to foster the preservation of historical character-defining features of individual buildings and their settings as contributing to the greater community and help stabilize and improve property values in the historic districts and to encourage new building and development that will be harmonious with the existing historic buildings, if not necessarily of the same architectural style. The purpose is to develop historic areas not in a vacuum, but as vital districts where succeeding generations may build with the quality and sensitivity of past generations.
Mixing modern life while preserving the past requires stewardship of a special and dedicated nature for owners of historic properties. By following the guidelines outlined in the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, the historic integrity of your covenant property will remain intact while it is adapted to the demands of daily life.
The terms of these covenants are binding on the present property owner and on all successive owners in perpetuity. However, property owners may submit a written request to HPF’s Real Estate Committee to propose modifying the covenants. With long-term preservation as the goal, preservation easements are one tool that the Historic Petersburg Foundation, Inc. uses to protect Petersburg’s historic built fabric.
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