Union City, CA Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- UCMC Ch. 18.106 LHP Overlay Zone
- Permit required for
- exterior work on designated structures
- Reviewing body
- Director or Planning Commission
- Appeal path
- Planning Commission, then City Council
Summary
Union City requires administrative or Planning Commission approval before altering, adding to, or reconfiguring a structure designated a cultural resource or landmark in its Landmark and Historic Preservation Overlay Zone.
No person shall perform any work listed in this subsection on a structure in the LHP zone without first obtaining administrative site development review approval from the Director as set forth in Sections 18.72.050 through 18.72.105:
1. Second story additions to a historic residence;
2. Exterior remodel or redesign of a historic residence;
3. New accessory structure over 120 square feet in a historic district;
4. Minor modifications to existing commercial and industrial buildings as set forth in Section 18.72.030(E). At the Director's discretion, any of the above applications may be referred to the Planning Commission for review. (Ord. 510-98 § 2, 1998; Ord. 670-06 § 3, 2006; Ord. 883-21 § 4, 2021)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4940544; v16 updated 2026-06-23).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 18.106 creates the Landmark and Historic Preservation (LHP) Overlay Zone and defines a protected "cultural resource" as any building, structure, site, or landscape feature of scientific, aesthetic, architectural or historical significance to the City. Once a property is designated a landmark or placed in a historic district, second-story additions, exterior remodels, new accessory structures over 120 square feet, and minor commercial/industrial modifications all require site development review before work can begin, with the deciding body checking that the project won't harm the property's historic character.
Violations & Fines
Performing covered exterior work, an addition, or demolition on a designated landmark or historic-district property without the Section 18.106.300 site development review approval violates Chapter 18.106 and can be halted or reversed by the City.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every old building in Union City need this permit?
Who reviews these permit applications?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Union City
California rules heatmap·Compare Union City to another location·View the California historic preservation overview
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Historic-Cultural Monuments in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Alameda County handle historic-cultural monuments.