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

Chapter 15.24 lets Woodland list individual landmarks, group them into historical districts, or add them to a locally maintained historical resources list. Under Section 15.24.030(A), a building, structure, object, or place qualifies for landmark status if it has historical importance, meaning it carries character or value tied to the City's, State's, or Nation's development, heritage, or cultural characteristics, is the site of a historic event, is linked to an influential person or group, or exemplifies the community's cultural, political, economic, social, or historic heritage; a separate criterion covers architectural importance.

An area qualifies as a historical district once it includes at least two designated landmarks close enough together to form a historically or culturally significant setting. The Planning Commission first develops a historic resources inventory and recommends designations to the City Council by resolution under Section 15.24.020, after an applicant files a description of the property's historic or architectural value, a parcel map, photographs, and a statement of the structure's condition with the Community Development Department. Before the Commission can act, notice must run in a newspaper of general circulation and by mail to affected owners.

Section 15.24.030(B)(1)(d) and (e) add an owner-consent gate: a proposal covering commercial or public building property needs written consent from a majority of the affected owners, while a proposal covering residential property needs consent from all of them. Once the City Council approves a designation by resolution, the City Clerk mails written notice to each affected owner. Any person dissatisfied with a Planning Commission decision on a designation may appeal to the City Council within 10 days under Section 15.24.030(C), and no building permit, license, or other permit may issue while that appeal or a designation proceeding is pending.