LAMC Section 22.171 lets the Cultural Heritage Commission and City Council designate buildings, sites, trees, or objects as Historic-Cultural Monuments. Los Angeles has more than 1,200 HCMs, each subject to alteration review and demolition stays.
Under LAMC Section 22.171.7, anyone (including the property owner, a council member, or a community member) may nominate a property to the Cultural Heritage Commission. Designation requires findings of historical, cultural, or architectural significance, a Commission recommendation, and City Council adoption. Once an HCM is declared, owners need a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Office of Historic Resources for any work that affects character-defining features. Owners may not demolish or relocate an HCM without Commission review under Section 22.171.14. Designation also unlocks the State Historical Building Code, federal tax credits, and Mills Act eligibility.
Performing alterations or demolition on an HCM without approval triggers stop-work orders, criminal misdemeanor charges under LAMC Section 11.00, restoration orders, and ineligibility for future preservation incentives.
Los Angeles, CA
LAMC Section 22.171.14 imposes an automatic stay on demolition, relocation, or major alteration of any Historic-Cultural Monument or pending nominee. The sta...
Los Angeles, CA
LAMC Section 12.20.3 establishes Historic Preservation Overlay Zones. Los Angeles has 35-plus HPOZs (Highland Park, Spaulding Square, Angelino Heights, other...
Los Angeles, CA
California Government Code Section 50280 and the LA Mills Act program let owners of HCMs and HPOZ contributors sign 10-year contracts with the city. In excha...
See how Los Angeles's historic-cultural monuments rules stack up against other locations.
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