San Fernando | Los Angeles Conservancy
Photos by Flora Chou/L.A. Conservancy (clockwise from upper left): Post Office; residential street; Lopez Adobe; commercial businesses

San Fernando

San Fernando has made regular and steady progress in implementing several elements of a strong historic preservation program.

Beginning in 2002, the city conducted a citywide windshield survey of historic resources, which is currently in the process of being updated.

In 2005, San Fernando adopted a Historic Preservation Element as part of its General Plan, which outlines several goals for furthering historic preservation in the city. This element earned a Los Angeles Conservancy Preservation Award.

A significant milestone was reached in 2008, when the city adopted its historic preservation ordinance.

Incentives include the popular Mills Acts property tax abatement program, as well as a unique Rehabilitation Loan Assistance program available for owners of single-family residences in the city.

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): 
215
Historic Preservation Ordinance (150) / Honorary Ordinance (10): 
150
Dedicated Historic Preservation Commission (5): 
0
Dedicated Preservation Staff (15): 
15
Ability to Designate Historic Districts (15): 
15
Owner Consent Not Required for Designation (10): 
0
Active Landmark Designation (at least annually) (5): 
5
Survey of Historic Resources: Citywide (15) / Partial (10): 
15
Notes: 
2002
Survey Updated Within Past 5 Years (5): 
5
Mills Act Incentive Program (10): 
0
Additional Incentives (5): 
5
Certified Local Government (5): 
0
Historic Preservation Element or Plan (5): 
5
Extra Credit (1-25): 
0

If you'd like to get involved in preservation in San Fernando, we suggest the following resources:

City Representative

Timothy Hou
Community Development Director
thou@sfcity.org
(818) 898-1227

Local Group

San Fernando Valley Historical Society

Visit their website to learn more about their work and find direct contact information.

If any of this information is out of date, or to suggest additional ways to get involved, please contact us at info@laconservancy.org or (213) 623-2489.

Other than the two documents linked at left, we don't know of any community-specific resources for local preservation in San Fernando. 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 Spectra Company

Lopez Adobe

The oldest standing adobe structure in San Fernando was once home to one of the area's most prominent families.