South Pasadena | Los Angeles Conservancy
Photos by Adrian Scott Fine/L.A. Conservancy

South Pasadena

South Pasadena actively promotes and protects its architectural and cultural heritage.

The city has been a Certified Local Government since 2001. It is in the process of updating its historic preservation ordinance, first adopted in 1992.

The city also plans to prepare a citywide historic context statement as well as future updates to its citywide historic resource survey.

South Pasadena has designated more than fifty local landmarks and five historic districts.

Incentives include the popular Mills Acts property tax abatement program, as well as waiving parking requirements to encourage the adaptive reuse of commercial buildings in the city’s Mission District.

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): 
245
Historic Preservation Ordinance (150) / Honorary Ordinance (10): 
150
Dedicated Historic Preservation Commission (5): 
5
Dedicated Preservation Staff (15): 
15
Ability to Designate Historic Districts (15): 
15
Owner Consent Not Required for Designation (10): 
10
Active Landmark Designation (at least annually) (5): 
5
Survey of Historic Resources: Citywide (15) / Partial (10): 
15
Notes: 
2001
Survey Updated Within Past 5 Years (5): 
5
Mills Act Incentive Program (10): 
10
Additional Incentives (5): 
5
Certified Local Government (5): 
5
Historic Preservation Element or Plan (5): 
5
Extra Credit (1-25): 
0

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

City Representative

Knarik Vizcarra
Interim Senior Planner
(626) 403-7228

Local Group

South Pasadena Preservation Foundation

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If any of this information is out of date, or to suggest additional ways to get involved, please contact us at info@laconservancy.org or (213) 623-2489.

In addition to the document linked at left, most of the following resources are specific to South Pasadena. For general resources related to local preservation and our Preservation Report Card, please visit our Report Card microsite.

Historic Preservation Ordinance

Designated Local Landmarks

Designated Historic Districts

Guide to CEQA (Conservancy website)

If any of these links are broken or incorrect, or if you would like to suggest other resources for preservation in South Pasadena, please let us know by emailing info@laconservancy.org.

Featured Location(s)

Cox House
Photo courtesy Architectural Resources Group

Cox House

A remarkable Mid-Century Modern residence that literally embraces the natural environment, so much so it's aptly nicknamed "The Tree House."
Photo courtesy Jocelyn Gibbs

1414 Fair Oaks Building

An exploration of the ideal form of California living, the former office of architects Smith & Williams is an outstanding realization of the blend of indoor/outdoor environments, easy automobile access, natural light, and innovative use of geometric forms.
Photo by Jessica Burns/L.A. Conservancy

Comerica Bank

Constructed by an unknown architect at South Pasadena's most prominent commercial intersection, the building was significantly altered when it was converted to a furniture store in the 1950s.