LAMC Section 22.171.14 imposes an automatic stay on demolition, relocation, or major alteration of any Historic-Cultural Monument or pending nominee. The stay can run from 180 days up to 360 days while the Cultural Heritage Commission reviews alternatives.
Under LAMC Section 22.171.14, no permit may issue to demolish, substantially alter, or relocate a designated HCM, or a property under active nomination, until the Cultural Heritage Commission completes review. The initial stay is 180 days and may be extended by Council action to a total of 360 days while the city explores adaptive reuse, relocation, or sale alternatives. If the HCM remains, demolition requires Council approval after Commission recommendation. Most demolitions and major alterations of HCMs trigger California Environmental Quality Act review, since loss of a historical resource is presumed a significant impact under CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.5.
Demolishing or substantially altering an HCM without approvals triggers stop-work orders, criminal misdemeanor prosecution under LAMC Section 11.00, civil penalties, possible cease-and-desist injunctions, and a five-year ban on building on the cleared lot under LAMC Section 91.106.4.5.
Los Angeles, CA
LAMC Section 22.171 lets the Cultural Heritage Commission and City Council designate buildings, sites, trees, or objects as Historic-Cultural Monuments. Los ...
Los Angeles, CA
LAMC Section 12.20.3 establishes Historic Preservation Overlay Zones. Los Angeles has 35-plus HPOZs (Highland Park, Spaulding Square, Angelino Heights, other...
Los Angeles, CA
California Government Code Section 50280 and the LA Mills Act program let owners of HCMs and HPOZ contributors sign 10-year contracts with the city. In excha...
See how Los Angeles's hcm demolition controls rules stack up against other locations.
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