Santee, CA Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)

Chapter 11.48 gives Santee's landmark program to the Santee Historical Society, defined in Section 11.48.020 as the committee that screens nominations. Under Section 11.48.030, the committee weighs a list of criteria before recommending a structure, natural feature, site or area to the City Council, starting with its character, interest or value as a significant part of the heritage of the City, the State, or the nation, and running through factors such as architectural style, identification with a significant person or event, and integrity as a natural environment.

Section 11.48.040 sets the designation procedure: the committee refers a nomination to the City Council, which may adopt a resolution of intention, complete any required environmental review, then hold a public hearing no later than 35 days after the resolution or the environmental review, whichever is later. The Council must adopt a written resolution designating or denying the landmark, with specific findings, no later than its next regular meeting after the hearing, and the City Clerk records an approved designation with the County Recorder.

Once designated, Section 11.48.070 locks in the protection: altering the exterior, relocating or demolishing a landmark is unlawful except with the City Council's prior written approval for a restoration-driven alteration or relocation, or, where earthquake, fire or another act of God damage cannot reasonably be repaired, for demolition. Section 11.48.080 folds the same Council sign-off into any building permit application touching a designated landmark, and Section 11.48.090 extends the alteration and demolition rules to City-owned landmarks unless the Council finds that unnecessary.