Santa Maria, CA Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)

Chapter 8-3, adopted under Government Code Section 37361, lets the Recreation and Parks Commission receive and act on applications to designate places, sites, buildings, structures, works of art and other objects with special historical, cultural or aesthetic value. 02 gives any designation and accompanying agreement a 90-day shelf life: unless the City Council sets a public hearing, advertised once at least 10 days ahead in a newspaper of general circulation, and confirms the designation within that 90-day window, it lapses automatically. 04 routes every application through the Planning Commission first, for a report touching General Plan compatibility, zoning and traffic impacts, before the Recreation and Parks Commission can act, and that Commission must then wait at least five days after receiving the report before voting.

05 sets the substantive test: the landmark must hold historical, cultural, aesthetic or special interest for the general public, not just a narrow group, must be at least 50 years old, cannot be detrimental to the general welfare, and critically, cannot require an unreasonable expenditure of money to carry out; if public funds would be needed, the Council must find that expenditure justified or the designation fails. 07 lists what a landmark agreement can contain, from advance notice before any demolition or alteration, City permit review by the Commission before work proceeds, restrictions on visible-from-the-street building changes, required public access hours, to disclosure of landmark status on sale of the property.

The chapter was substantially amended by Ordinance 2022-04, effective July 7, 2022, updating the review and hearing procedures set originally by Ordinance 88-18 in 1988.