Compton | Los Angeles Conservancy
Compton Station by waltarrrrr of Flickr

Compton does not currently have a historic preservation ordinance. However, the goal of pursuing adoption of such an ordinance has been outlined in the draft of the City’s General Plan, which is currently being updated. Additionally, the City has expressed interest in identifying significant structures through a citywide survey.

Despite lacking any historic preservation policies, Compton has demonstrated a willingness to recognize architecturally significant structures and ensure that they continue to reflect the community’s character.  The City was involved in following preservation guidelines for window renovations at Compton City Hall, a project that received a Conservancy Preservation Award in 2013.

The scoring details for this community appear below. To see scores for all communities, compare specific communities and categories, and learn more about the Report Card, visit our Report Card microsite.

Category (points available)
Score
Total Score (out of a possible 245, plus Extra Credit): 
25
Historic Preservation Ordinance (150) / Honorary Ordinance (10): 
0
Dedicated Historic Preservation Commission (5): 
0
Dedicated Preservation Staff (15): 
0
Ability to Designate Historic Districts (15): 
0
Owner Consent Not Required for Designation (10): 
0
Active Landmark Designation (at least annually) (5): 
0
Survey of Historic Resources: Citywide (15) / Partial (10): 
0
Survey Updated Within Past 5 Years (5): 
0
Mills Act Incentive Program (10): 
0
Additional Incentives (5): 
0
Notes: 
In 2012, the city discontinued its commercial facade improvement program due to lack of funding.
Certified Local Government (5): 
0
Historic Preservation Element or Plan (5): 
0
Extra Credit (1-25): 
25
Notes: 
The city was involved in following preservation guidelines for window renovations at Compton City Hall, a project that received a Conservancy Preservation Award in 2013.

If you'd like to get involved in preservation in Compton, we suggest contacting the following representative to express your interest and ask about opportunities -- particularly in helping to create a preservation ordinance if the city doesn't have one:

Robert Delgadillo
Interim Community Development Director
rdelgadillo@comptoncity.org
(310) 605-5532

Please let us know if this information is out of date.

The Conservancy isn't aware of a local preservation group or historical society for this community. If you know of one, please let us know.

You can reach us during regular business hours at info@laconservancy.org or (213) 623-2489.

We don't know of any community-specific resources for local preservation in Compton. If you do, please let us know.

For general information about using the California Environmental Quality Act to protect historic places in your community, you can download our Guide to CEQA in English or Spanish.

For other resources, including a model ordinance and glossary of basic preservation terms, please see the Resources tab on our Report Card microsite.

Featured Location(s)

Photo courtesy Architectural Resources Group

Compton City Hall and Civic Center

The plaza’s focal point, a tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr., is a large sculpture of angled white planes arranged in a circle and converging at the top.