San Diego's Historical Resources Board designates individual properties as historical resources under SDMC §123.0202 using six criteria including architecture, association with significant persons, and master-builder works, triggering exterior-alteration review.
SDMC §123.0202 lists six designation criteria for historical resources: (A) special elements of city historical/architectural development, (B) significant persons, (C) distinctive architectural style or specimen, (D) work of a notable master architect or builder, (E) potential to yield archaeological information, (F) listing in a national register district. The Historical Resources Board (HRB) holds noticed hearings before designating; designation can be initiated by owners, the Mills Act, third parties, or city staff. Once designated, the property is recorded against title and any alteration to character-defining features requires a Historical Resources Permit. The famed San Diego list includes thousands of designated resources, the most active landmark program in California.
Demolishing or substantially altering a designated historical resource without HRB clearance is a Land Development Code violation with penalties up to $2,500 per day, restoration orders, and a five-year ban on building permits under SDMC §123.0408.
San Diego, CA
San Diego's historical districts under SDMC §123.0501 require Historical Resources Board approval before any exterior alteration, demolition, or new construc...
San Diego, CA
Under California Government Code §§50280-50290 and SDMC §123.0810, San Diego runs the state's largest Mills Act program, contracting with owners of designate...
See how San Diego's historic-cultural monuments rules stack up against other locations.
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