Pacifica, CA Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- Pacifica Municipal Code Title 9, Chapter 7
- Designating body
- Pacifica City Council, by ordinance
- Enforcing official
- Planning Administrator (§ 9-7.105)
- Public notice
- Mailed 10 days before hearing (§ 9-7.204)
- Final designations
- 9 properties listed in § 9-7.208
- Advisory role
- Pacifica Historical Society comments (§ 9-7.203)
Summary
In the City of Pacifica, the Council may designate buildings, structures, sites or natural features as historic landmarks under Pacifica Municipal Code Chapter 7 of Title 9. Once designated, a landmark cannot be demolished, altered or relocated without a historic preservation permit reviewed by the Planning Commission and Council.
(h)"Cultural resource" shall mean improvements, buildings, structures, signs, features, sites, places, areas, or other objects of scientific, aesthetic, educational, cultural, architectural, archaeological, or historical significance to the citizens of the City. ... The Council may designate an historic landmark pursuant to Section 9-7.202 of this article in accordance with any of the following criteria: (a)It exemplifies or reflects a significant element of the City's cultural, social, economic, political, aesthetic, engineering, architectural, geological, or archaeological history: ... An historic preservation permit shall be required to: (a)Demolish, alter, or relocate any structure or special site, or any portion thereof, which has been designated an historic landmark pursuant to the provisions of this chapter;
Full Breakdown
102 defines a "cultural resource" broadly to include improvements, buildings, structures, signs, features, sites, places and areas of scientific, aesthetic, educational, cultural, architectural, archaeological or historical significance to City residents, and defines a "landmark" as a structure or site with special historical, cultural, archaeological, aesthetic or architectural value, or one that has received prior State or national recognition. 201, the Council may designate a landmark based on seven criteria, including that the resource reflects a significant element of the City's cultural, social, economic, political, aesthetic, engineering, architectural, geological or archaeological history, embodies distinctive architectural characteristics, or is identified with historic persons or events.
203. 208, including the Sanchez Adobe, the Sharp Park Golf Course Clubhouse, the Little Brown Church, the San Pedro Schoolhouse, and properties at 185 Carmel Avenue, Vallemar Station, Anderson's Store, 165 Winona Avenue and the Dollaradio Station. 302. 5 standards are exempt from the permit requirement.
Violations & Fines
The Planning Administrator administers and enforces Chapter 7 under § 9-7.105 and may refer violations to the Planning Commission, Council or City Attorney. A violation is punishable as set forth in Chapter 2 of Title 1 of the Pacifica Municipal Code, the City's general penalty and administrative citation chapter. Demolishing, altering or relocating a designated landmark, or its site features, without an approved historic preservation permit violates § 9-7.301, and permit applications on a landmark or interim-designated structure are barred while a designation proceeding is pending under §§ 9-7.206 and 9-7.207.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a historic landmark in Pacifica?
Can I remodel a designated landmark in Pacifica?
Which Pacifica properties are currently designated landmarks?
Who enforces Pacifica's historic preservation rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pacifica
California rules heatmap·Compare Pacifica to another location·View the California historic preservation overview
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Historic-Cultural Monuments in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Mateo County handle historic-cultural monuments.