San Francisco, CA Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)
Key Facts
- Designating body
- Board of Supervisors by ordinance
- Recommending body
- Historic Preservation Commission
- Governing code
- Planning Code Article 10
- Scope
- Individual landmarks or historic districts
Summary
San Francisco designates historic landmarks by Board of Supervisors ordinance under Planning Code Article 10, triggering permanent design and demolition controls.
The Board of Supervisors may, by ordinance, designate an individual structure or other feature or an integrated group of structures and features on a single lot or site, having a special character or special historical, architectural or aesthetic interest or value, as a landmark, and shall designate a landmark site for each landmark; and
(2) The Board of Supervisors may, by ordinance, designate an area containing a number of structures having a special character or special historical, architectural or aesthetic interest or value, and constituting a distinct section of the City, as a historic district.
(b) Each such designating ordinance shall include, or shall incorporate by reference to the pertinent resolution of the HPC then on file with the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, as though fully set forth in such designating ordinance, the location and boundaries of the landmark site or historic district, a description of the characteristics of the landmark or historic district that justify its designation, and a description of the particular features that should be preserved. Any such designation shall be in furtherance of and in conformance with the purposes of this
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-96: Codes: last updated to include changes made by legislation through Ordinance 133-26, File No. 260686, approved July 23, 2026, effective August 23, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Under Planning Code Sec. 1004, the Board of Supervisors may by ordinance designate an individual structure or feature with special historical, architectural, or aesthetic value as a landmark, or designate a historic district covering a distinct section of the City. The Historic Preservation Commission recommends designations after public hearing, and once designated, the property is subject to Article 10's controls on alterations, demolition, and in some cases significant interior features. Designations can only be amended or rescinded through the same procedural process.
Violations & Fines
Alterations, demolition, or removal of a designated landmark without Certificate of Appropriateness approval under Article 10 can trigger Planning Department enforcement and permit denial.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can designate a landmark in San Francisco?
Can a landmark designation be reversed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Francisco
California rules heatmap·Compare San Francisco to another location·View the California historic preservation overview
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