Costa Mesa, CA Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)

9, such as reflecting the city's history, embodying a distinctive architectural style, or being tied to a significant person or event. Designation is initiated by the planning commission, city council, property owner petition, or any person or organization, requires an application with state DPR forms 523A/523B/523L, written owner consent, and is adopted by council resolution after notice to the property owner, county assessor and recorder, and city departments. 10 requires the owner to maintain the exterior in good repair and mandates a certificate of appropriateness, granted by the planning commission, before any restoration, rehabilitation, alteration, development, construction, demolition, removal, or appearance change.

10(c)(3), covering compatibility of use, retention of distinguishing original qualities, and repair over replacement of deteriorated features, and must make findings on architectural consistency and whether the work would destroy an important historical or cultural feature. Actions that could cause a 'substantial adverse change' trigger CEQA review, and demolition of a landmark cannot be approved unless the city council finds through that CEQA process that the property retains no substantial remaining market value or reasonable use, or unless an immediate safety hazard requires demolition. 11, including Mills Act contracts, State Historic Building Code flexibility, and fee relief for certificate of appropriateness applications.