Historic Preservation in Santa Monica, CA (2026)
3 verified historic preservation rules for Santa Monica, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
HPOZ Rules
Property owners in Santa Monica's Third Street Neighborhood Historic District must obtain a Landmarks Commission certificate before making most exterior changes, constructing new buildings, or demolishing contributing structures in the district.
Historic Preservation: Hpoz Rules
Some RestrictionsSanta Monica Municipal Code § 9.58.020(D); § 9.58.060
D. Certificate of Appropriateness. A certificate of appropriateness shall be required for the following work to contributing and noncontributing buildings within the Third Street Neighborhood Historic District: 1. Surfacing and resurfacing of exterior walls if it changes appearance. 2. Removal, demolition, addition or alteration to the front of structures. 3. Removal, demolition, addition or al...
Historic-Cultural Monuments
Santa Monica designates Landmarks through the Landmarks Commission when a structure meets at least one of six criteria related to historical, architectural, cultural, or aesthetic significance. Once an application is filed, all demolition and alteration of the structure is immediately prohibited.
Historic Preservation: Cultural Monument
Some RestrictionsSanta Monica Municipal Code § 9.56.100
For purposes of this Chapter, the Landmarks Commission may approve the landmark designation of a structure, improvement, natural feature or an object if it finds that it meets one or more of the following criteria: 1. It exemplifies, symbolizes, or manifests elements of the cultural, social, economic, political or architectural history of the City. 2. It has aesthetic or artistic interest or va...
Mills Act Contracts
Santa Monica allows designated Landmarks, Structures of Merit, and contributing buildings in Historic Districts to enter into Mills Act historical property contracts with the City for property tax reductions, subject to three eligibility conditions.
Historic Preservation: Mills Act
Light RestrictionsSanta Monica Municipal Code § 9.56.270(F)
F. Historical Property Contracts. Designated structures of merit, landmarks and contributing buildings or structures located in Historic Districts that are privately owned and not exempt from taxation shall be considered qualified historical properties eligible for historical property contracts submitted or entered into, pursuant to the provisions of Article 12, commencing with Section 50280, C...
Looking for Los Angeles County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Santa Monica city rules.
Historic Preservation in Los Angeles County →