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

Significant Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Review body: Design Review and Preservation Board (DRPB)
Designation method: Rezoning into Historic (-H) combining district
Finding required: Specific historical, archaeological, cultural, or architectural value
Duty to maintain: Owner must keep exterior in good repair
Denial wait period: One year before refiling, unless without prejudice
Violation penalty: Misdemeanor plus possible civil injunction
Hardship review timeline: DRPB decides within 60 days of CEQA review

Summary

Santa Rosa designates individual landmarks and preservation districts under City Code Section 20-58.050. The Design Review and Preservation Board must find specific historical, archaeological, cultural, or architectural value before recommending designation to the City Council, which acts through a rezoning applying the Historic (-H) combining district. Owners then take on a duty to maintain the exterior and get permit review for alterations.

A specific site, place, building, structure, street, street furniture, sign, work of art, natural feature or other object be designated a landmark, if the DRPB first finds that the feature to be designated has specific historical, archaeological, cultural or architectural value in the City and that the purposes of this Chapter would be furthered by the designation...Each person in possession or control and every owner of a landmark and any appurtenant premises shall maintain and keep in good repair the exterior of the landmark and premises.

View official code

Full Breakdown

050(A)). The Planning and Economic Development Department compiles a staff report, and the DRPB holds a noticed public hearing under Chapter 20-66. 050(D)(1)(a)). 050(D)(1)(b)). 050(F)); a denial bars refiling for one year unless the Council denies without prejudice. 050(H)). 050(I)). 060, evaluated against the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and the City's Processing Review Procedures for Owners of Historic Properties. 070).

Violations & Fines

Violating any provision of Chapter 20-58, including altering a landmark's exterior without a Landmark Alteration Permit or failing to keep a designated property in good repair, is a misdemeanor under Section 20-58.090(B). The City Attorney may also file a civil action for injunctive relief at the request of the Zoning Administrator, DRPB, or Council to stop or reverse unauthorized work. Decisions by the Director, Zoning Administrator, or DRPB may be appealed under Chapter 20-62 (Section 20-58.080).

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can propose a landmark designation in Santa Rosa?

A landmark or preservation district designation can be initiated by resolution of the DRPB, the City Council, the Planning Commission, or by the property owner filing an application with the Planning and Economic Development Department under Section 20-58.050(A). Owner-initiated applications must include the forms and information the Department requires; Council or DRPB-initiated proposals have the same data compiled by staff before the same hearing process runs.

What happens once a property is designated a landmark?

Designation takes effect through a rezoning that applies the Historic (-H) combining district under Section 20-58.050(F). From that date, the owner must keep the exterior in good repair (Section 20-58.050(I)), and any exterior change needs a Landmark Alteration Permit reviewed under Section 20-58.060 against the Secretary of the Interior's Standards before a Building Permit can issue.

Can an owner get out of landmark restrictions?

Yes, in two situations. A Building Official can authorize emergency work for a written, immediately dangerous condition, and an owner can apply to the DRPB for a certificate of economic hardship, submitting appraisals, rehabilitation cost estimates, and two years of income data; the DRPB must decide within 60 days of finishing environmental review under Section 20-58.070.

What is the penalty for violating Santa Rosa's landmark rules?

Any violation of Chapter 20-58, such as unpermitted demolition or alteration of a designated landmark, is charged as a misdemeanor under Section 20-58.090(B). The City Attorney can also sue for injunctive relief at the request of the Zoning Administrator, DRPB, or Council to halt or undo the work, independent of any criminal charge.

Sources & Official References

[1]Santa Rosa City Code Chapter 20-58, Historic and Cultural Preservation (ecode360)

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