Historic Preservation Law in a Nutshell provides the leading in-depth summary of historic preservation law within its local, state, Tribal, federal, and international contexts. The dynamic field of preservation law includes aspects of property, land use, environmental, constitutional, cultural resources, international, and Indigenous Peoples law. This book covers key federal statutes, and many facets of state statutes, dealing with the protection and preservation of historic resources. It also includes topics like the historic designation process, federal agency obligations, local regulation, takings and other constitutional concerns, and real estate development issues.


Imprint: West Academic Publishing
Series: Nutshells
Publication Date: 05/26/2026
Related Subject(s): Land Use, Property, Property-Advanced

Sara C. Bronin, George Washington University Law School

Ryan M. Rowberry, Georgia State University College of Law

Tad Heuer

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Updated text throughout, including new federal and/or state cases in every chapter and additional coverage of:

  • Advisory Council for Historic Preservation program alternatives
  • The implications of the Supreme Court’s Loper Bright Enterprises decision for traditional agency deference
  • The rescission of the Council on Environmental Quality regulations for the National Environmental Policy Act
  • The concepts of traditional cultural property and Indigenous Knowledge
  • The repatriation, consultation, and compensation provisions of the Native Americans Graves Repatriation Act
  • Tax credits and building codes affecting rehabilitation projects
  • Caselaw affecting religious liberty and grants for historic religious properties

Learn more about this series.