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The Mills Act Program
The City of Redlands currently invites applications from property owners to participate in the city’s Mills Act program, designed to encourage the preservation of historic properties in Redlands.
The Mills Act Program is an economic incentive program statewide in California for the restoration and preservation of qualified historic buildings by private property owners.
Participation by the City in the California Mills Act Program was approved by the City Council on November 20, 2012. The California Mills Act Program was first enacted in 1972, and grants participating cities and counties the authority to enter into contracts with owners of qualified historic properties who actively participate in the rehabilitation, restoration, preservation, and maintenance of their historic properties.
Since the costs of doing so can be high, and ultimately have the effect of prohibiting preservation activities, property tax relief can offset these costs. Thus, the Mills Act program is offered as a strong incentive for property preservation work.
Property Tax Savings
Property taxes are recalculated using a formula in the Mills Act and State Revenue and Taxation Code. The average savings for individual properties under the Mills Act contract is between 20 and 60 percent. The full amount of the tax savings received by the property owners must be used to finance the preservation, maintenance and improvements to the property. If a property owner defaults on the conditions, the City may cancel the contract and the owner would be subject to a cancellation fee.
Term
Under the program approved by the City Council, the City will accept up to seven applications per year, including five residential properties and two commercial properties. Each contract that is accepted or approved will include a term of 10 years, and will renew automatically each year.
Eligibility
The eligibility and program guidelines include:
Assessed value of less than $1 million for residential properties with no limit for commercial properties
Property must be located in the City of Redlands
Property must be privately owned
The property is not currently exempt from taxation; and
The property is listed in a National, State or City official register.
Application Form
Application periods are from January 1st through March 31st each year. For further information or if you have any questions, please contact the Redlands Planning Division at (909) 798-7555 option 2 and ask to speak with Loralee Farris (click here to send an email).
Click here to download the Mills Act Application
Click here to download the Mills Act Brochure
Click here to download application for designation of Historic Resource
The application form is available above (a fillable PDF form), as well as from the Planning Division public counter at the One Stop Permit Center (click here) located at 35 Cajon Street, Suite 15-A, in the Redlands Civic Center. If you have any questions about the application form or need assistance completing the form, please contact Loralee Farris above.
*Information Provided by the City of Redlands Website