Claremont is an example of a city with an alternate approach to preservation. It has a historic preservation program, yet no true historic preservation ordinance. The city’s historic preservation program developed in the late 1960s, before a standard model with a historic preservation ordinance was common. The city started its first survey of historic resources in 1980 […]

Covina established a historic preservation ordinance in 1997, which allows for the designation of individual landmarks.  The ordinance does not establish the ability to designate historic landmarks, and the designation of individual landmarks requires owner consent.  However, the City has not been active in the use of its historic preservation ordinance and has not yet designated […]

Culver City established its historic preservation ordinance in 1991. That same year, the city adopted its historic resource survey, which led to the simultaneous designation of over 100 historic structures and three historic districts. Not all of the designated sites are protected, however, as Culver City created a three-tiered approach to its landmark designations. The […]

Lawndale does not currently have a historic preservation ordinance. However, the City adopted the Mills Act property tax abatement program in 2010 as a way to encourage and incentivize historic preservation. While no formal survey of architectural resources has been conducted, a list of 32 identified significant properties was compiled in 1983 by the City’s […]

A groundbreaking study showing how preservation positively affects housing, affordability, sustainability, density, and economics.

The Mills Act Historic Property Contracts Program is the single most important economic incentive program in California for the restoration and preservation of qualified historic buildings by private property owners. This state law allows local jurisdictions to enter into contracts with private property owners to guarantee the preservation of designated historic sites or structures. Property […]