Orange, CA Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)

030 establishes a single Historic District, Old Towne, delineated on an official map titled 'Old Towne Boundaries' kept on file with the Planning Division at City Hall and incorporated into Title 17 by reference; the section explicitly leaves room for the City to designate additional historic districts later. 040, meaning City Council approval after Planning Commission review. 050 sets the substantive test: a district may be established to preserve landmarks and areas exemplary of architectural, archaeological, cultural, economic, social, or historical value if the resource exemplifies special elements of the City's cultural, social, economic, political, aesthetic, engineering, architectural, or natural history and retains integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association, plus at least one of five additional factors: distinctive construction characteristics or craftsmanship, contribution to a geographically definable historic or scenic area, association with significant settlement or transportation patterns, architecturally significant design or innovation, or a singular physical or visual feature.

A resource can also qualify by being one of few remaining local, regional, state, or national examples of its type, by association with historically significant persons or events, or by representing the work of a notable builder, designer, or architect. 070 requires alterations to a district structure for rehabilitation, preservation, restoration, or relocation to follow the State Historical Building Code under Health and Safety Code § 18950 et seq.