Mills Act for the Horrell House and Hayman Cottage

The Mills Act is a state law that allows cities or counties to enter into a contract with owners of designated historic landmark properties. This contract provides a method of reducing property taxes in exchange for the continued preservation of a historic property. The current owner has applied for and has entered into an agreement with the County of Napa for the Mills Act on this property in 2017.

THE MILLS ACT AGREEMENT 

The Mills Act Property Agreement sets forth the following requirements, provisions and restrictions: 

1. The agreement obligates the owner to preserve, rehabilitate, or restore specific and agreed upon historic features included in the rehab/restoration plan in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Office of Historic Preservation of the Department of Parks and Recreation, the United States Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and the State Historical Building Code. 

2. Owner shall complete and submit a signed annual report describing the improvements and upkeep undertaken during the year. 

3. Owner shall provide for periodic examinations of the interior and exterior of the premises. 

4. The Mills Act Agreement is binding upon all successors of interest of the owner; 

5. The agreement shall remain in effect for a minimum period of ten years. 

6. The County may cancel the agreement or pursue whatever legal or equitable remedies it deems necessary or desirable for enforcement of the agreement when the Planning Commission or Board of Supervisors finds that the owner has breached the terms of the agreement. 

7. The property owner shall hold the County harmless from any and all claims arising from any use of the historic property.