San Clemente, CA Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)

110 was written to keep San Clemente's identity as a Spanish-colonial village intact as historic properties change hands and get remodeled. 110, ranging from new residential and nonresidential buildings to additions, exterior changes, relocations and new accessory structures, needs a Cultural Heritage Permit if the property sits on the city's designated list of historic resources and landmarks, unless the work qualifies for one of four exemptions: work already exempt from an Administrative Development Permit, improvements state or federal law preempts from local review, interior work not visible from outside or from the public right-of-way, and most park facility work.

110; larger or unscreened additions and new nonresidential buildings draw the more intensive Process 3 review, while smaller additions and screened accessory buildings can qualify for the lighter Process 2. Every application goes through the Development Management Team, a CEQA screening, and, for anything requiring Planning Commission or City Council approval, the Cultural Heritage Subcommittee. Before approval, the review authority must find the project consistent with the General Plan and zoning, not detrimental to public health, safety or welfare, compatible with the neighborhood, and in conformance with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. 140.