Los Angeles, CA Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)
Key Facts
- Designation authority
- City Council (upon Commission recommendation by majority vote)
- Who may nominate
- City Council, Cultural Heritage Commission, Director of Planning, or any interested individual
- Nomination criteria
- Must meet at least 1 of 3 criteria: historic events, historic persons, or distinctive architecture/notable architect
- Commission action deadline
- 75 days after taking proposed designation under consideration (extendable 60 days with owner consent)
- City Council action deadline
- 90 days after Commission public hearing (extendable 15 days for cause, or 60 days with owner consent)
- Commission objection stay period
- 30–180 days suspension of demolition permits; extendable up to additional 180 days by City Council
Summary
Los Angeles designates Historic-Cultural Monuments through a Cultural Heritage Commission recommendation and City Council adoption process; once designated, no demolition, substantial alteration, or relocation of a Monument may proceed without prior Commission review.
For purposes of this article, a Historic-Cultural Monument (Monument) is any site (including significant trees or other plant life located on the site), building or structure of particular historic or cultural significance to the City of Los Angeles. A proposed Monument may be designated by the City Council upon the recommendation of the Commission if it meets at least one of the following criteria:
1. Is identified with important events of national, state, or local history, or exemplifies significant contributions to the broad cultural, economic or social history of the nation, state, city or community;
2. Is associated with the lives of historic personages important to national, state, city, or local history; or
3. Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a style, type, period, or method of construction; or represents a notable work of a master designer, builder, or architect whose individual genius influenced the designer's, builder's, or architect's age.
[§ 22.171.14] No permit for the demolition, substantial alteration or relocation of any Monument shall be issued, and no Monument shall be demolished, substantially altered or relocated without first referring the matter to the Commission.
Full Breakdown
Any site, building, or structure of particular historic or cultural significance may be nominated by the City Council, the Cultural Heritage Commission, the Planning Director, or any interested individual. A site qualifies if it meets at least one of three criteria: association with important historical events or contributions; association with important historic personages; or embodying distinctive architectural characteristics or the notable work of a master architect. Once an application is filed or designation is initiated, a temporary stay automatically blocks demolition or alteration permits until the Commission and City Council complete their review. The Commission must act within 75 days of taking a designation under consideration; the City Council has 90 days after the Commission's public hearing. If the Commission objects to a proposed demolition of a designated Monument, it may suspend permit issuance for up to 180 days while pursuing preservation.
Violations & Fines
Proceeding with demolition, substantial alteration, or relocation of a designated Monument without Commission referral and review is prohibited. The Commission may file an objection that suspends permit issuance for 30–180 days. No fines specified in this article; enforcement runs through the permit-issuance system and the Board of Building and Safety, which is notified in writing not to issue permits during a stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the City of Los Angeles designate a Historic-Cultural Monument?
Can a building nominated for monument status be demolished while the review is pending?
What criteria must a property meet to be designated a Historic-Cultural Monument?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Los Angeles
California rules heatmap·Compare Los Angeles to another location·View the California historic preservation overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Historic-Cultural Monuments in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle historic-cultural monuments.