The ISHS easement program is primarily designed to support easements on structures. However, the variety of cultural resources recognized as historic runs the gamut of property types and environments, from commercial, to religious, to agricultural/rural, to archaeological, to residential, so the ISHS may consider placing an easement on any property that will further its historic preservation mission as an exception to its standard program.

Properties which are eligible for the program are either listed in the National Register of Historic Places, a contributing property within a National Register Historic District, a National Historic Landmark, a Local Landmark, or has been determined to be potentially eligible for any of the above by the State Historic Preservation Office. 

The ISHS implemented the easement program to support the preservation of historic properties located in the State of Idaho in support of its mission to preserve and promote Idaho history. Therefore, the ISHS will only accept easements on properties located within the State of Idaho.

A property should possess integrity of design, structure, materials, workmanship, and any other aspects of integrity necessary to demonstrate the preservation and conservation values of the property. The ISHS recognizes that a property in poor condition may not be a viable easement candidate and will take into consideration the property’s current condition. Evidence that the extant historic resources require substantial work and/or capital expenditures to stabilize or rehabilitate the resources, the presence of existing damage or disturbance to the resources, evidence of relic hunting, looting, unauthorized salvage, or other deleterious actions may necessitate additional review or require resolution prior to the acceptance of the easement. 

The ISHS will accept easements on properties held by non-profits, for-profits, and municipalities and will continue to consider easements on properties held by a variety of ownership structures.