In March of 2021, the City of Abbeville adopted a local Bailey Bill Ordinance in conjunction with Abbeville County.  This ordinance allows the City to offer a property tax abatement to encourage the rehabilitation of historic properties. To qualify in the City of Abbeville, a property must be either:

• Inside the City's Historic District and be at least 50 years old (or)
• Listed on the National Register of Historic Places

The property owner must then submit an application outlining the planned rehabilitation of the property.  Qualifying expenditures must:

• Be appropriate for the historic building and the historic district. This is achieved through adherence to the standards set out in the United States Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
• Be equal to 50% of the buildings current assessed or appraised value
• Be completed within two years of Preliminary Approval

If a property owner's application is approved by the Historic Properties Protection Commission (HPPC), then the assessed value of the property is frozen for 10 years at pre rehabilitation levels.

Application Documents and Information:

FAQ Sheet

Project Checklist

Part A, Application Form

Part A, Ammendment Form

Part B, Final Review Form

Bailey Bill Impact 

Since its adoption in 2021, three Bailey Bill Projects have been approved by the City's Historic Properties Protection Commission.  These projects are projected to generate over $1.5 Million of investment into Historic Properties within the City of Abbeville.