If I want to protect my historic house, what do I need to do?

First contact the Mahwah Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) by calling 201-529-5757, ext. 271 (HPC secretary, Jennifer Storms) to advise them of your intentions or you may attend an Historic Preservation Commission meeting. HPC Public meetings are held on the 1st Monday of each month (except September, which is the 2nd Monday), at 7:30 pm in the Township Municipal Building:
475 Corporate Drive
Third Floor, Room 319
Mahwah, NJ 07430

Letter to the Mayor

Write a letter to the Mayor and Council, and copy the HPC, requesting that your home be added to the list of historic protected properties on the historic preservation element of the Township Code. In your letter, describe the reasons for requesting this inclusion. You may not have been able to establish all the criteria shown, but please provide enough identification factors, with verification citing sources of your information.

Added to the Agenda

The Township will request the request be added to a Township Council agenda, but it may be a month before it is scheduled. When the request is placed on the Township Council meeting agenda, you will be notified, and it will be discussed and open to the public for comments. A motion will be introduced to amend Chapter 24 of the Township Code Entitled "Historic Sites" to designate the property as an Historic Site in the Township of Mahwah. Township Council will add it to its next public meeting, where it will be voted on and adopted.

After Approval

The Amendment to the Township Ordinance is then signed by the Mayor and published. The effective date is 20 days after publication. At that point, the house or site will be protected as per the stipulations in Township of Mahwah Ordinance Number 1313.

Show All Answers

1. What Township ordinance established the Historic Preservation Commission?
2. How do I know if my home or other structure is "historic" and qualifies to be placed on the Township ordinance as an "historic landmark"?
3. If I want to protect my historic house, what do I need to do?
4. How do I research the history of my house?
5. What documentation do I need to prove that my house is historic?
6. What resources are available?
7. If I list my property/structure on the Historic Element of the Municipal Code as an historic site, does that mean that I cannot change anything in/on it?
8. Why should I place my home on the Historic Element of the Township Code?
9. Is there any tax incentive or financial benefit to listing my house on the ordinance?