Conservation purpose defined

(A) In general For purposes of this subsection, the term “conservation purpose” means— (i) the preservation of land areas for outdoor recreation by, or the education of, the general public, (ii) the protection of a relatively natural habitat of fish, wildlife, or plants, or similar ecosystem, (iii) the preservation of open space (including farmland and forest land) where such preservation is— (I) for the scenic enjoyment of the general public, or (II) pursuant to a clearly delineated Federal, State, or local governmental conservation policy, and will yield a significant public benefit, or (iv) the preservation of an historically important land area or a certified historic structure.

(B) Special rules with respect to buildings in registered historic districts In the case of any contribution of a qualified real property interest which is a restriction with respect to the exterior of a building described in subparagraph (C)(ii), such contribution shall not be considered to be exclusively for conservation purposes unless— (i) such interest— (I) includes a restriction which preserves the entire exterior of the building (including the front, sides, rear, and height of the building), and (II) prohibits any change in the exterior of the building which is inconsistent with the historical character of such exterior, (ii) the donor and donee enter into a written agreement certifying, under penalty of perjury, that the donee— (I) is a qualified organization (as defined in paragraph (3)) with a purpose of environmental protection, land conservation, open space preservation, or historic preservation, and (II) has the resources to manage and enforce the restriction and a commitment to do so, and (iii) in the case of any contribution made in a taxable year beginning after the date of the enactment of this subparagraph, the taxpayer includes with the taxpayer’s return for the taxable year of the contribution— (I) a qualified appraisal (within the meaning of subsection (f)(11)(E)) of the qualified property interest, (II) photographs of the entire exterior of the building, and (III) a description of all restrictions on the development of the building.

(C) Certified historic structure For purposes of subparagraph (A)(iv), the term “certified historic structure” means— (i) any building, structure, or land area which is listed in the National Register, or (ii) any building which is located in a registered historic district (as defined in section 47(c)(3)(B)) and is certified by the Secretary of the Interior to the Secretary as being of historic significance to the district.

A building, structure, or land area satisfies the preceding sentence if it satisfies such sentence either at the time of the transfer or on the due date (including extensions) for filing the transferor’s return under this chapter for the taxable year in which the transfer is made.