Local Ordinances

Every local government in California has the authority to adopt a local ordinance which provides regulations applicable to historic properties. Because every  community has different types of historic resources, populations, development pressures, etc., each local government should create a local historic preservation ordinance that best suits the needs and views of its community. While there is no standard "model" for what an ordinance should contain, historic preservation ordinances will typically include the following:

  • a provision for creation of a local historic preservation commission and the responsibilities and powers given to that commission;
  • an explanantion of the criteria used to determine what properties can be designated under the ordinance and the process for such designations;
  • a provision for granting economic hardship waiver;
  • a requirement that property owners maintain resources designated under the ordinance and guidelines for that maintenance.
Other key elements or issues that a historic preservation ordinance should address include the following:
  • Statement of purpose and enabling authority
  • Actions subject to review by commission and procedures for initiating the review
  • Preservation Incentives
  • Enforcement
  • Process for appealing commission decisions
  • Definition of key terms used in the ordinance

Drafting and Amending Historic Preservation Ordinances: A Manual for California's Local Governments" (Technical Assistance Bulletin #14) identifies key issues that all communities should address when drafting or revising an ordinance and discusses the pros and cons of various approaches to each of those key issues, providing direction for each community to draft an ordinance that best fits their local conditions. The manual was originally prepared for OHP by Clarion Associates with a generous grant from the California Parks Foundation; OHP staff have made additions and revisions since its initial release in 2001.

Examples of Local Historic Preservation Ordinances

Accessibility Archived Documents

The California Office of Historic Preservation is actively working to ensure that all digital content is accessible and meets the needs of Californians with disabilities. The documents on this page are currently archived as they undergo accessibility remediation. Clicking on the city and county names below will open a page from which you can request to have a copy of the archived document emailed to you.

City of Alameda
City of Benicia
City of Berkeley
City of Burbank
City of Campbell
City of Colton
Town of Danville
City of Davis
CIty of Escondido
City of Eureka
City of Fresno
City of Glendale
City of Highland
City of La Quinta
City of Long Beach
City of Los Altos
City of Los Angeles Cultural Heritage
City of Los Angeles HPOZ
Town of Los Gatos
City of Napa		 City of Oceanside
City of Ontario
City of Pasadena
City of Redondo Beach
City of Redwood City
City of Riverside
City of Sacramento
City of San Clemente
City of San Jose
City of San Juan Bautista
City of Santa Ana
City of Santa Cruz
City of Santa Monica
City of Tustin
City of West Hollywood
County of San Diego
County of Santa Clara
County of Santa Cruz
County of Tuolumne
County of Ventura

Examples of Other Ordinances

Archaeological:
County of Monterey