Registration Programs

Historic preservation has four essential components: identification, evaluation, registration, and protection.
The Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) offers four different registration programs:

• California Historical Landmarks
• California Points of Historical Interest
• California Register of Historical Resources 
• National Register of Historic Places

Things to Know

Each registration program is unique in the benefits offered and procedures required. You can compare the different programs with our Registration Programs Comparison Chart

If a resource meets the criteria for registration, it may be nominated by any

• individual,
• group, or
• local government

Resources do not need to be locally designated before nomination to a state program

Resources do not need to be registered at the state level before nomination to the National Register. 

Resources listed in the National Register, California Historical landmarks #770 and above, and Historical Points of Interest designated after 1997, are all added to the California Register

Many local governments in California also offer local designation/registration programs.  Check with the local government with jurisdiction over the particular resource you are considering registering to learn more about the benefits of local designation.
Our office does not have access to local government registers. 

PLAQUES AND SIGNAGE

The placing of plaques or markers identifying a registered historical resource is at the discretion of the property owner(s). Those intending to place a plaque or marker must have the property owner’s written permission. Plaques are purchased using private funds. Registered California State Historical Landmarks can receive an official State plaque. As of May 2006, official State Landmark plaques cost $2,875 plus any applicable state tax and $100 freight charge.

Directional Signage
Registered National Register Historic Districts, Landmarks, and Points of Historical Interest are eligible for directional markers. State highway signs are ordered, erected and maintained by the California Department of Transportation for the state highways under their jurisdiction. Applicants must contact the appropriate district office to order the highway signs. Contact your local government agency to order signage for county and city-maintained roads.

NOTE: The Office of Historic Preservation does not routinely survey the status of registered Landmarks or Points.  We rely on surveys, consultants, and members of the public to inform us if there is a change to the resource or the marker.

 

How to Nominate a Resource

Starting September 1, 2026, nominations and supporting documents can be submitted to the OHP electronically. Utilizing the same process currently in use by the OHP Tax Credit Program, applicants can email calshpo.registration@parks.ca.gov for a link to a secure folder where the applicant can upload the nomination and all supporting documents. For specific instructions on what should be included in a nomination packet, please refer to the specific registration program page.

OHP will continue to accept hard copy submittals. Those should include a hard copy of the cover letter and a single copy of the nomination (printed back-to-back) accompanied by a USB drive with all nomination submittal materials sent to:

Office of Historic Preservation
ATTN: Registration
1725 23rd Street, Suite 100,
Sacramento, CA 95816