City of Palm Desert
Home MenuHistoric Preservation
Palm Desert’s story is told not only through its people, but through the places that have shaped our community over time. From mid-century modern architecture to long-standing cultural landmarks, these sites reflect the character, creativity, and evolution of our City.
The Planning Division supports historic preservation by providing the tools, research, and guidance needed to identify and evaluate historically significant properties. Designation is a voluntary process, and we work in partnership with property owners who choose to recognize and preserve the historic value of their structures through local, state, or national programs.
The Mills Act
On January 13, 2011, the City Council adopted Palm Desert’s Mills Act Program, a state initiative that provides property tax relief to owners of historic properties to help cover restoration and maintenance costs. To qualify, a property must be listed on a national, state, county, or city register.
Under the program, property owners receive reduced property taxes in exchange for committing to restore and maintain their historic property. Owners enter into renewable 10-year contracts that transfer with the property upon sale. Properties may be inspected by city, county, or state officials, and penalties can apply if the contract is not upheld.
Tax savings are determined by the County Assessor using a state formula based on “capitalization of income” rather than market value, with most participants saving about 50% annually.
Mills Act City Council Resolution
Resolution No. 2023-049 Establishing the Palm Desert Mills Act Application Process, Review Procedures, and Required Contract Provisions
Adopted: October 26, 2023
A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Palm Desert, California, establishing the application process, review procedures, and required contract provisions for the implementation of the Palm Desert Mills Act pursuant to Palm Desert Municipal Code Chapter 29.70.
Background and Findings
The City Council of the City of Palm Desert finds as follows:
WHEREAS, California Government Code, Article 12, Section 50280, more commonly known as the Mills Act, established legislation providing property tax relief for owners of qualified historic properties who contract with a city to abide by reasonable preservation requirements; and
WHEREAS, the City of Palm Desert is dedicated to preserving historic resources within the City; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Palm Desert Municipal Code Title 29, the City has established procedures to identify and designate historic resources within the City; and
WHEREAS, Palm Desert Municipal Code Chapter 29.70 allows for the adoption of economic and other incentives for historic properties designated by the City Council or listed on any official federal, state, or county register for the purpose of preservation, rehabilitation, and maintenance of those designated historic resources; and
WHEREAS, preservation agreements will have beneficial effects on residential neighborhoods, businesses, community pride, and regional image; and
WHEREAS, Palm Desert Municipal Code Section 29.70.030 states that the application process, review procedures, and required contract provisions for preservation agreements shall be established by separate resolution of the City Council.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Palm Desert, California, as follows:
Section 1. Program Name
The program implementing California Government Code, Article 12, Section 50280 et seq., known as the Mills Act, and Section 29.70.030 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code, for the purposes of preserving, rehabilitating, and maintaining designated historic resources, shall be known as the Mills Act.
Section 2. Application and Review Authority
Pursuant to Palm Desert Municipal Code Section 29.70.030, the City Council delegates to the City Manager, or their designee, the authority and responsibility to:
- Develop and maintain an application for properties seeking qualification and participation in the Mills Act; and
- Review and make a recommendation to the City Council on any application submitted pursuant to the Mills Act.
The City Council is the final authority on the authorization and approval of the Mills Act.
Section 3. Preservation Agreement
Pursuant to Palm Desert Municipal Code Section 29.70.030, the City Council delegates to the City Manager, or their designee, the authority and responsibility to amend and modify the Preservation Agreement as deemed necessary and appropriate, in consultation with the City Attorney.
The terms of the Preservation Agreement shall allow compliance with California Government Code, Article 12, Section 50280 et seq., known as the Mills Act, and Palm Desert Municipal Code Section 29.70.030.
The maintenance, repair, rehabilitation, and/or restoration standards applicable to the subject property shall be set forth in the Preservation Agreement.
In consideration for abiding with the terms of the Preservation Agreement, the owner of the subject property shall be entitled to qualify for a reassessment of the historic property, pursuant to Chapter 3, Part 2, of Division 1 of the California Revenue and Taxation Code.
Section 4. Application Deadline and City Council Review
Applications for the Mills Act will be accepted through June 30 each year, during normal business hours.
All eligible applications received will be reviewed and presented to the City Council for consideration no later than December 1 each year.
Section 5. Superseded Resolution
On January 13, 2011, the City Council of the City of Palm Desert adopted Resolution No. 2011-1, which established the application process, review procedures, and contract provisions for the implementation of the Palm Desert Mills Act.
Resolution No. 2011-1 is superseded by this Resolution, Resolution No. 2023-049, and is no longer effective.
Mills Act Terms
NOW, THEREFORE, the City and Owner, in consideration of mutual covenants and conditions set forth herein, do hereby agree as follows:
- Effective Date and Term of Agreement. This Agreement shall be effective and commence on ________ , __20 ("Effective Date"), and shall remain in effect for a term of ten (10) years thereafter.
- Yearly Renewal. Each year upon the anniversary of the Effective Date ("Renewal Date"), an additional one (1) year shall automatically be added to the remaining term of the Agreement, unless a notice of nonrenewal is delivered as provided in Section 3 of this Agreement.
- Nonrenewal. If either the Owner or City desires at any point not to renew this Agreement, Owner or City shall serve a written notice of nonrenewal upon the party in advance of the Renewal Date ("Notice of Nonrenewal"). The Notice of Nonrenewal shall be effective, only if served by Owner upon City at least ninety (90) days prior to the Renewal Date, or if served by City upon Owner, the Notice of Nonrenewal shall be effective, only if served upon Owner at least sixty (60) days prior to the Renewal Date. If either City or Owner serves a Notice of Nonrenewal in any year, this Agreement shall remain in effect for the balance of the remaining Agreement term.
- Owner Protest of City Nonrenewal. Within fifteen (15) days of Owner's receipt of the Notice of Nonrenewal from the City, Owner may file with the City a written protest of the Notice of Nonrenewal. Upon receipt of the written protest, the City Council shall set a hearing prior to the expiration of the Renewal Date of this Agreement. Owner may furnish to the City Council any information that Owner deems relevant and shall furnish that which is requested or required by the City Council. The City Council may, at any time prior to the annual Renewal Date, withdraw its Notice of Nonrenewal.
- Standards for Historical Property. During the term of this Agreement, the Historic Property shall be subject to the following conditions, requirements, and restrictions:
- Owner shall preserve and maintain the characteristics of the cultural and historical significance of the Historic Property. Attached hereto as Exhibit "B" and incorporated herein by this reference, is a list of the minimum standards and conditions for the maintenance, use, protection, and preservation of the Historic Property, which shall be complied with by Owner at all times throughout the term of this Agreement. In addition, Owner shall comply with the terms of the City's Cultural Resources Ordinance 1168 (Title 29 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code) and shall obtain any and all applicable permits necessary to protect, preserve, restore, and rehabilitate the Historic Property, so as to maintain its historical and cultural significance.
- Owner shall, where necessary, repair, maintain, restore, and rehabilitate the Historic Property according to the rules and regulations of both the Office of Historic Preservation of the State Department of Parks and Recreation, and the City of Palm Desert. The condition of the Historic Property's exterior on the Effective Date of this Agreement is documented in the photographs attached hereto as Exhibit "C" and incorporated herein by this reference. At a minimum, Owner shall continually maintain the exterior of the Historic Property in the same condition as documented and depicted in Exhibit "C."
- Owner shall carry out specific restoration, repair, maintenance, and/or rehabilitation projects on the Historic Property, as outlined in Exhibit "D," attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference. All such projects shall be undertaken and completed in accordance with both the Secretary of Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings, in addition to the City of Palm Desert's design guidelines.
- Owner shall not be permitted to block the view corridor with any new structure such as walls, fences or shrubbery, so as to prevent the view of the Historic Property from the public right-of-way.
- Periodic Examinations. Upon reasonable advance notice, Owner shall allow reasonable periodic examinations of the exterior of the Historic Property by representatives of the County Assessor, the State Department of Parks and Recreation, the State Board of Equalization and/or the City, as may be necessary to determine Owner's compliance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
- Provision of Information of Compliance. Owner hereby agrees to furnish City with any and all information requested by the City, which the City deems necessary or advisable to determine eligibility of the Historic Property and compliance with the terms and provisions of this agreement.
- Breach of Agreement; Remedies.
- Notice of Breach; Opportunity to Cure. If Owner breaches any provision of this Agreement, City may give written notice to Owner by registered or certified mail, detailing Owner's violations. If such violation is not corrected to the reasonable satisfaction of City within thirty (30) days after the date of notice of violation, or within such a reasonable time as may be required to cure the violation (provided the acts to cure the violation are commenced within thirty (30) days and thereafter diligently pursued to completion), the City may, without further notice, declare Owner to be in breach of this Agreement. Upon City's declaration of Owner's breach of this Agreement, City may pursue any and all remedies available pursuant to local, state, or federal law, including those specifically provided for in this section.
- Remedy - Termination. City may terminate this Agreement, if the City determines, following a duly noticed public hearing in accordance with Government Code section 50286, that: 1.) Owner breached any of the conditions of this Agreement; 2.) Owner allowed the Historic Property to deteriorate to the point that it no longer meets the standards for a qualified historic property or; 3.) Owner failed to maintain and preserve the Historic Property in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this paragraph, Owner shall pay a cancellation fee to the Office of the Auditor for the County of Riverside, as required by Government Code section 50286.
- Alternative Remedies. As an alternative to termination of this Agreement for Owner's breach of any condition, City may bring an action in court necessary to enforce this Agreement including, but not limited to, an action to enforce this Agreement by specific performance, injunction, or receivership.
- Destruction of Property; Eminent Domain; Termination. If the Historic Property is destroyed by earthquake, fire, flood, or other natural disaster such that in the opinion of the City Building Official more than sixty percent (60%) of the original fabric of the structure must be replaced, this Agreement shall be terminated, because the historic value of the structure will have been deemed destroyed. If the Historic Property is acquired in whole or in part by eminent domain or other acquisition by any entity authorized to exercise the power of eminent domain, and the acquisition is determined by the City Council to frustrate the purpose of this Agreement, this Agreement shall be terminated. No cancellation fee pursuant to Government Code section 50286 shall be imposed if the Agreement is terminated, pursuant to this Section.
- Waiver. City does not waive any claim of default by Owner, if City does not enforce or terminate this Agreement. All other remedies at law or in equity which are not otherwise provided for in this Agreement or in City's regulations governing historic properties are available to the City to pursue in the event that there is a breach of this Agreement. No waiver by City of any breach or default under this Agreement shall be deemed to be a waiver of any other subsequent breach thereof or default hereunder.
- Binding Effect of Agreement. Owner hereby subjects the Historic Property to the covenants, conditions, and restrictions set forth in this Agreement. City and Owner hereby declare their specific intent that the covenants, conditions, and restrictions set forth herein shall be deemed covenants running with the land and shall inure to and be binding upon Owner's successors and assigns in title or interest to the Historic Property. Each and every contract, deed or other instrument herein after executed, covering or conveying the Historic Property, or any portion thereof, shall conclusively be held to have been executed, delivered and accepted subject to the covenants, reservations and restrictions set forth in this Agreement, deed, or other instrument.
- Covenants Run with the Land. City and Owner hereby declare their understanding and intent that the burden of the covenants, reservations and restrictions set forth herein touch and concern the land in that it restricts development of the Historic Property. City and Owner hereby further declare their understanding and intent that the benefit of such covenants, reservations and restrictions touch and concern the land by enhancing and maintaining the cultural and historical characteristics and significance of the Historic Property for the benefit of the public and the Owner.
- Notice. Any notice required to be given by the terms of this Agreement shall be provided at the address of the respective parties as specified below or at any other address as may be later specified by the parties hereto:
- City of Palm Desert
- 73-510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, CA 92260
- Attn. Cultural Resources Administrator
- Effect of Agreement. None of the terms, provisions or conditions of this Agreement shall be deemed to create a partnership between the parties hereto or any of their heirs, successors or assigns, nor shall such terms, provisions or conditions cause the parties to be considered joint venturers or members of any joint enterprise.
- Indemnity of City. Owner shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless City and its elected officials, officers, agents and employees from any actual or alleged claims, demands, causes of action, liability, loss, damage, or injury to property or persons, including wrongful death, whether imposed by a court of law or by administrative action of any federal, state or local governmental agency, arising out of or incident to (i) the direct or indirect use operation, or maintenance of the Historic Property by Owner or any contractor, subcontractor, employee, agent, lessee, licensee, invitee, or any other person; (ii) Owner's activities in connection with the Historic Property; and (iii) any restrictions on the use or development of the Historic Property, from application or enforcement of Title 29 of the City's Municipal Code, or from the enforcement of this Agreement. This indemnification includes, without limitation, the payment of all penalties, fines, judgments, awards, decrees, attorneys' fees, and related costs or expenses, and the reimbursement of City, its elected officials, employees, and/or agents for all legal expenses and costs incurred by each of them. Owner's obligation to indemnify shall survive the termination, cancellation, or expiration of this Agreement and shall not be restricted to insurance proceeds, if any, received by City, its elected officials, employees, or agents.
- Binding Upon Successors. All of the agreements, rights, covenants, reservations and restrictions contained in this Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties herein, their heirs, successors, legal representatives, assigns and all persons acquiring any part or portion of the Historic Property, whether by operation of law or in any manner whatsoever.
- Legal Costs. In the event legal proceedings are brought by any party or parties to enforce or restrain a violation of any of the covenants, conditions or restrictions contained herein, or to determine the rights and duties of any party hereunder, the prevailing party in such proceeding may recover all reasonable attorneys' fees to be fixed by the court, in addition to court costs and other relief ordered by the court.
- Severability. In the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement are held to be unenforceable or invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, or by subsequent preemptive legislation, the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions, or portions thereof, shall not be effected thereby.
- Recordation. No later than twenty (20) days after the Effective Date, City shall cause this Agreement to be recorded in the office of the County Recorder of the County of Riverside. Owner shall provide written notice of the contract to the State Office of Historic Preservation within six (6) months of entering into the contract.
- Amendments. This Agreement may be amended, in whole or in part, only by written recorded instrument executed by the parties hereto.
- Governing Law and Venue. This Agreement shall be construed and governed in accordance with the laws of the State of California. Any action at law or in equity brought by either of the parties hereto for the purpose of enforcing a right or rights provided for by this Agreement shall be tried in a court of competent jurisdiction in the County of Riverside, State of California, and the parties hereby waive all provisions of law providing for a change of venue in such proceedings to any other county.
Mills Act Questions & Answers
- Q: What is the Mills Act?
- A: The Mills Act is a state act providing property tax abatement to owners of historic properties. The purpose of the Act is to encourage rehabilitation, as well as ownership of historic properties, by providing a financial incentive through property tax reduction. The Act uses an alternative equation to calculate property taxes, with the requirement that the savings be spent on qualified improvements to the historic property.
- Q: Who can apply for the Mills Act?
- A: Owners of designated historic properties can apply for the Mills Act. Designated historic properties include those individually listed as Landmarks, as well as contributors to an Historic District.
- Q: How can I apply for the Mills Act?
- A: The Mills Act Applications are extensive and require calculations and research that will likely require assistance from a professional accountant. Previous examples are also available on request. Applications are available by:
- Picking up a copy up at the Department of Building and Safety, at City Hall.
- Contacting the Cultural Resources Administrator at 760-346-0611 and requesting a copy via the US Mail, or
- Downloading and complete a Mills Act Application application. An application can be dropped off at the Development Services counter at City Hall or via US mail at the following address: 73-510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, CA 92260.
- A: The Mills Act Applications are extensive and require calculations and research that will likely require assistance from a professional accountant. Previous examples are also available on request. Applications are available by:
- Q: How many Mills Act Applications are accepted annually?
- A: The City accepts 7 Mills Act contracts per year - five residential and two commercial, or up to seven residential if no commercial applications are submitted. If more applications than the allotted amount are received, the Mills Act contract recipients will be determined by a lottery system of the complete applications.
- Q: When are the Mills Act Applications due?
- A: Mills Act Applications are accepted during the month of June and must be received by the last business day in June.
- Q: What is the application fee?
- A: The application fee for Mills Act Contracts is $318.00 at the time of application submission. Once the Mills Act application is approved by City Council an initiation deposit fee of $1000.00 will be due.
- Q: How much will I save on my property taxes?
- A: The Mills Act uses an alternative equation to calculate the property taxes. This alternative equation can save property owners, especially those who have recently purchased property, up to 50% on the property tax bill. If the property has been owned for more than 10 years, the County Assessor does not recommend applying for the Mills Act as the savings will be negligible.
- Q: When will I start to receive my savings on my tax bill?
- A: Savings will appear on the tax bill for the fiscal year (July 1st to June 30th) following the calendar year it is recorded with the County and finalized. For Example, Mills Act participants from the 2005 year received the first tax bill savings on the fall of 2006 tax coupon, which is typical.
- Q: When do I start saving receipts from qualified property improvements?
- A: Start saving receipts for qualified improvements during the fiscal year (July 1st to June 30th) following the approval with the City. For example, Mills Act contracts approved in 2006 will start saving receipts from qualified improvements for the fiscal year July 2007- June 2008.
- Q: Can I spend all of my 10 year savings in one fiscal year for one big improvement project?
- A: No, the 10 year savings cannot be spent on one big project. The proposed tax savings must be spent on the historic property on an annual fiscal year (July 1st to June 30th) basis. The goal is for ongoing financial contribution to the Mills Act property. For questions regarding the Mills Act contact the Cultural Resources Administrator in the Department of Building and Safety at (760) 346-0611.
- Q: Is the Mills Act transferable if I sell my property?
- A: Yes, Mills Act contracts remain with the property and will be the responsibility of the new property owners when the property is sold.
- Q: Does my property get reassessed if I sell my property, thus changing the monetary value of my savings?
- A: Yes, Mills Act contracts are reevaluated on an annual basis with the County Tax Assessor for tax savings. One of the factors the Assessor uses in determining the Mills Act tax bill is the current assessment value of the historic property. Were the property value to change, the tax savings could also see a change.
- Q: During what time frame do the property improvements need to occur?
- A: Qualified improvements need to take place during the fiscal year (July 1st to June 30th) following the approval, and subsequent fiscal years thereafter for 10 years. For example, Mills Act contracts approved in 2006 will start completing qualified improvements during the fiscal year July 2007- June 2008.
- Q: What property improvements are eligible?
- A: Most improvements are eligible for the Mills Act, as the intention is to encourage property owners to continue to provide maintenance for the historic properties. The improvements need to be a permanent part of the property and/or property. For example:
- A new outdoor seasonal gazebo would not qualify, but a permanent gazebo that is attached to a foundation would qualify;
- New furniture would not qualify, but new built-in cabinetry or shelving would qualify.
- A: Most improvements are eligible for the Mills Act, as the intention is to encourage property owners to continue to provide maintenance for the historic properties. The improvements need to be a permanent part of the property and/or property. For example:
- Q: Can I count the cost of labor for the improvements made to my property?
- A: Yes, the cost of labor can be included in the total cost of improvements to the property, as long as the labor has been completed by a qualified individual that can produce a verifiable receipt for the labor. Property owners cannot include the cost for the owner's personal labor. For Example:
- If a property owner were to have the outside of the historic property painted by a painting company, the full cost of the bill could be counted as a qualified improvement;
- If a property owner were to paint the property utilizing the property owner's own labor to apply the paint, the only costs that could count as an improvement are the cost of paint and paint prepping materials used to complete this qualified task.
- A: Yes, the cost of labor can be included in the total cost of improvements to the property, as long as the labor has been completed by a qualified individual that can produce a verifiable receipt for the labor. Property owners cannot include the cost for the owner's personal labor. For Example:
- Q: How do the property inspections work?
- A: Members from the Department of Building and Safety staff will do a drive-by visit the first year for preparation of the contract. Subsequent years on a case-by-case basis inspections may be monitored by applicant's submitted photographs. Site inspections will be performed for clarification or as needed. These appointments will be scheduled in advance.
- Q: Can I change things on my submitted "10 Year Rehabilitation plan" for work on my property?
- A: Yes, previous submissions on the "10 Year Rehabilitation plan" can be changed. Although Cultural Resource Administrator will ask for the Rehabilitation plan up front, changes are allowed on an annual basis. These changes must be submitted to the Cultural Resource Administrator in writing prior to completion of the proposed qualified task.
- Q: How long is my Mills Act Contract good?
- A: Participants enter into a perpetual 10 year contract with the City. Mills Act contracts are automatically renewed each fiscal year (July 1st to June 30th). The contract is renewable at the City's discretion for subsequent years after the 10 year contract is complete.
- Q: Who approves the contract I have with the City for my Mills Act Property?
- A: The City Council approves the Mills Act contract before the end of the application's calendar year.
- Q: What happens if I do not fulfill my obligation to the Mills Act?
- A: The Mills Act is a privilege given to those who have willingly applied and been accepted through the extensive application process. The Mills Act is an incentive for those who own historic properties by providing financial assistance through tax savings. However, the Mills Act is also a legal contract and is enforceable by law. Penalties may incur if owners do not fulfill the obligation required by the contract to spend the tax savings on the repair and maintenance of the historic property.
Certificate of Appropriateness Guidelines
The Certificate of Appropriateness process applies to historic and potentially significant historic properties. The process is intended to help ensure that the historic integrity of these properties is maintained whenever exterior improvements are made. Palm Desert Municipal Code Title 29 provides the authority and standards for this process.
Required Items for Filing
Plans must be legible and drawn to scale to clearly illustrate the components of the project. City staff, the Cultural Resources Preservation Committee, and/or the City Council may not be familiar with the property and will need this information to evaluate the proposed project. Applications will not be accepted for processing if plans are not legible or do not include the required information listed below.
Drawing Assembly Requirements
Blueprints must be stapled in sets along the left margin. Each set should include:
- Plot plan on top
- Elevations below the plot plan
Plans must be folded to approximately 8.5 inches by 14 inches, with the bottom right corner showing. Drawings or materials that are not folded to approximately 8.5 inches by 14 inches cannot be accepted.
Required Application Materials
The following items are required for an application to be deemed complete:
- One copy of the completed application form
- One copy of the most recent Grant Deed
- A complete and accurate legal description of each parcel involved
- A deed can be obtained from a title company
- One 8.5-inch by 11-inch black-and-white paper copy of each drawing sheet
- One set of color photographs, including:
- All sides of the building or buildings
- Surrounding areas
- Neighborhood context
- Historic photographs, if available
- Color and material samples and specifications
- Samples must be attached to a file-size illustration board
- Large samples will not be accepted
- Three sets of plans, drawn to scale, including the items listed below
Required Plan Sets
Three sets of plans must be submitted, drawn to scale. These plans must include elevation drawings, plot plan drawings, and required information on all drawings.
Elevation Drawings
Elevation drawings must include:
- All sides of the building that are part of the project
- Elevations of the project as visible from the public right-of-way
- For new construction or large additions, one set of colored elevations
Plot Plan Drawings
Plot plan drawings must include:
- All site improvements and major landscape features, including:
- Buildings
- Fences
- Patios
- Walkways
- Driveways
- Major trees and shrubs
- An indication of whether each feature is existing, proposed, or proposed for removal
- Riverside County Assessor’s parcel number or numbers for the property included within the map
- Lines and approximate dimensions of all lots assigned to each lot
- Total number of lots, approximate area of each lot, and total area of the map, if applicable
- Locations, widths, and purposes of all existing and proposed easements for utilities, drainage, and other public purposes, shown by dashed lines, if applicable
Requirements for All Drawings
All drawings must clearly indicate:
- Existing and proposed conditions
- Dimensions of all proposed work
- Existing and proposed materials to be used
- Whether proposed details, materials, or dimensions match existing conditions
Additional Requirements When Applicable
The following items are required only when they apply to the proposed project.
Sign Plans
Sign plans are required only if signage is proposed. Required sign plan materials include:
- Sign elevation blueprints, with one colored set
- Color and material specifications
- Samples must be attached to a file-size illustration board
- Large samples will not be accepted
- Illumination type, intensity, dimensions, and design
- Building elevation blueprints, with one colored set, showing:
- Proposed signs
- Existing signs to remain
- Plot plan blueprints showing sign locations
Landscape and Irrigation Plans
Landscape and irrigation plans are required only if landscaping is proposed.
Landscape Plans
Landscape blueprints must include:
- Existing landscaping, specifying which items will remain or be removed
- Proposed shrubs, trees, and ground cover
- A distinct plant symbol, letter, or number for each species shown on the plan
- A plant list keyed to the landscape plan, including:
- Botanical name
- Common name
- Container sizes for each proposed plant
- Proposed street trees and public parkway ground covers
For specific tree species and spacing requirements, contact the Public Works at (760) 776-6450.
Irrigation Plans
Irrigation blueprints must include:
- Irrigation pipe locations, diameters, materials, and thickness
- Sprinkler head locations
- A key identifying sprinkler head company brand, type, and model
- Specifications for automatic controllers, valves, valve boxes, and anti-siphon devices
- Specifications for swing joint riser protection
- Water budget calculations
- This requirement does not apply to single-family homes and other small projects
Historic Context Statement & Survey
On April 24, 2025, the City Council accepted a Historic Context Statement and Historic Resources Survey. This document serves as a valuable information tool that can assist city staff, the public, and decision makers in understanding, identifying, evaluating and protecting identified historical resources and guide local preservations planning and land use decisions.
Top Ten Myths of Historic Preservation
The Top Ten Myths About Historic Preservation
by Ken BernsteinIt often surprises me how many misunderstandings abound concerning historic preservation – with some people closing their minds to preservation based on inaccurate information , and others clinging to unrealistic expectations about the impacts or benefits of preservation tools. As a starting point in clearing up these misconceptions, I offer up a “top ten” list of the most prevalent myths about historic preservation.
Myth #1: “If a property gets designated as a historic landmark, it’s protected forever and ca n never be demolished.”
Fact: Landmark designation ensures a more thorough review of demolition proposals, but it does not prohibit demolition outright. In the City of Los Angeles, designation as a City historic landmark (Historic-Cultural Monument) allows the City’s Cultural Heritage Commission to object to the issuance of a demolition permit, but only for 180 days. The City Council may then extend the objection to demolition for an additional 180 days.
Many East Coast cities, including New York, do actually prohibit demolition of their landmarks, but these cities also leave an exception for cases of demonstrated economic hardship. Even listing in the National Register of Historic Places, which sounds more elevated than “mere” local listing, does not provide for more iron-clad protection.
Although demolition of a designated landmark in California additionally requires preparation of an Environmental Impact Report to assess the feasibility of alternatives to demolition, a truly determined property owner may be able to obtain approval to destroy even our most cherished landmarks.
Myth #2: “Historic designation will reduce my property values.”
Fact: Study after study across the nation has conclusively demonstrated that historic designation and the creation of historic districts actually increase property values. Why? In part, historic designation gives a neighborhood or an individual historic site a caché that sets it apart from ordinary properties. Many buyers seek out the unique qualities and ambiance of a historic property. Historic district designation gives potential homebuyers two rare and economically valuable assurances: that the very qualities that attracted them to their neighborhood will actually endure over time, and that they can safely reinvest in sensitive improvements to their home without fear that their neighbor will undermine this investment with a new “monster home” or inappropriate new development.
Myth #3: “If my property is designated as a historic site, I won’t be able to change it in any way, and I don’t want my property to become like a museum.”
Fact: Owners of designated historic structures may make very significant changes to their structures. Historic preservation laws, at their essence, are not meant to prevent change, but, rather, to manage change. The tool to manage change is the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, the nationally accepted benchmark for evaluating changes to historic structures.
Myth #1: “If a property gets designated as a historic landmark, it’s protected forever and ca n never be demolished.”
Fact: Landmark designation ensures a more thorough review of demolition proposals, but it does not prohibit demolition outright. In the City of Los Angeles, designation as a City historic landmark (Historic-Cultural Monument) allows the City’s Cultural Heritage Commission to object to the issuance of a demolition permit, but only for 180 days. The City Council may then extend the objection to demolition for an additional 180 days.
Many East Coast cities, including New York, do actually prohibit demolition of their landmarks, but these cities also leave an exception for cases of demonstrated economic hardship. Even listing in the National Register of Historic Places, which sounds more elevated than “mere” local listing, does not provide for more iron-clad protection.
Although demolition of a designated landmark in California additionally requires preparation of an Environmental Impact Report to assess the feasibility of alternatives to demolition, a truly determined property owner may be able to obtain approval to destroy even our most cherished landmarks.
Myth #2: “Historic designation will reduce my property values.”
Fact: Study after study across the nation has conclusively demonstrated that historic designation and the creation of historic districts actually increase property values. Why? In part, historic designation gives a neighborhood or an individual historic site a caché that sets it apart from ordinary properties. Many buyers seek out the unique qualities and ambiance of a historic property. Historic district designation gives potential homebuyers two rare and economically valuable assurances: that the very qualities that attracted them to their neighborhood will actually endure over time, and that they can safely reinvest in sensitive improvements to their home without fear that their neighbor will undermine this investment with a new “monster home” or inappropriate new development.
Myth #3: “If my property is designated as a historic site, I won’t be able to change it in any way, and I don’t want my property to become like a museum.”
Fact: Owners of designated historic structures may make very significant changes to their structures. Historic preservation laws, at their essence, are not meant to prevent change, but, rather, to manage change. The tool to manage change is the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, the nationally accepted benchmark for evaluating changes to historic structures.
The Standards don’t require that every element of a historic site remain intact: you need not keep every doorknob ! However, the most significant, or “character-defining”, historic elements of a property should be retained. New additions to the historic property are allowed, but should be compatible with the site’s historic architecture. The Standards urge the repair of deteriorated historic features, but do allow for replacement where the severity of deterioration leaves no other option.
Myth #4: “Preservation is only for the rich and elite, and for high-style buildings.”
Fact: Historic preservation isn’t just about house museums anymore. Today’s preservation movement is increasingly diverse: here in Los Angeles, the two newest Historic Preservation Overlay Zones (HPOZs) are in Pico-Union and Lincoln Heights, home to economically and ethnically varied populations.
Preservation today also focuses not just on grandiose architectural landmarks, but on more modest sites of social and cultural significance. Just look at the small Ralph J. Bunche House in South Los Angeles, boyhood home of the pioneering African-American diplomat, and Little Tokyo’s Far East Café, a beloved gathering place for the city’s Japanese-American community – both recently restored. Or, consider a current preservation effort to save the modest Vladeck Center, a Boyle Heights building that was the center of the Jewish labor and immigrant resettlement movements of the 1930s. Such sites underscore that preservation can be about the “power of place” found at sites containing rich social and cultural meaning.
Myth #5: “Historic preservation is bad for business.”
Fact: Historic preservation is at the very heart of our nation’s most vibrant economic development and business attraction programs. From Southern California examples such as Old Pasadena or San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, to traditional, historic southern cities such as Charleston or Savannah, to the recent boom in “heritage tourism,” today’s economic development strategies no longer see preservation and business development as competing values.
The National Main Street Center, a program that uses historic preservation to revitalize town centers and neighborhood commercial districts, has actually tracked economic results in 1,700 Main Street communities nationally. These preservation-based programs have created over 231,000 new jobs and resulted in over $17 billion in reinvestment to date, with every dollar spent on a Main Street program yielding $40 in economic reinvestment.
Myth #4: “Preservation is only for the rich and elite, and for high-style buildings.”
Fact: Historic preservation isn’t just about house museums anymore. Today’s preservation movement is increasingly diverse: here in Los Angeles, the two newest Historic Preservation Overlay Zones (HPOZs) are in Pico-Union and Lincoln Heights, home to economically and ethnically varied populations.
Preservation today also focuses not just on grandiose architectural landmarks, but on more modest sites of social and cultural significance. Just look at the small Ralph J. Bunche House in South Los Angeles, boyhood home of the pioneering African-American diplomat, and Little Tokyo’s Far East Café, a beloved gathering place for the city’s Japanese-American community – both recently restored. Or, consider a current preservation effort to save the modest Vladeck Center, a Boyle Heights building that was the center of the Jewish labor and immigrant resettlement movements of the 1930s. Such sites underscore that preservation can be about the “power of place” found at sites containing rich social and cultural meaning.
Myth #5: “Historic preservation is bad for business.”
Fact: Historic preservation is at the very heart of our nation’s most vibrant economic development and business attraction programs. From Southern California examples such as Old Pasadena or San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, to traditional, historic southern cities such as Charleston or Savannah, to the recent boom in “heritage tourism,” today’s economic development strategies no longer see preservation and business development as competing values.
The National Main Street Center, a program that uses historic preservation to revitalize town centers and neighborhood commercial districts, has actually tracked economic results in 1,700 Main Street communities nationally. These preservation-based programs have created over 231,000 new jobs and resulted in over $17 billion in reinvestment to date, with every dollar spent on a Main Street program yielding $40 in economic reinvestment.
Myth #6: Preservation is more expensive than new construction
This is certainly true at times, but, in fact, historic preservation is typically more cost effective than new construction. Why? Historic buildings certainly do sometimes need upgrades, but these are usually less expensive than the costs of building all-new foundations , structural systems, roofs and building finishes.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation reports that in Chicago, where the public school system is now spending $2.5 billion to upgrade facilities, bare-bones new construction is costing $155 per square foot -- but renovation is costing just $130.
Here in Los Angeles, the State of California learned the potential savings from historic preservation in comparing the construction of two State Office Buildings: the new Ronald Reagan State Office Building on Spring Street at 3rd St., and the Junipero Serra State Office Building just two blocks away on Broadway at 4th St., in the renovated former flagship location of the Broadway Department Store. The historic renovation not only reused and reinvigorated an important landmark from 1914, but it saved taxpayers money by delivering office space at about half the cost per square of the all-new Reagan building just a few years before.
Myth #7: If I buy a historic property, there’s lots of government money available to help me fix it up
While it doesn’t necessarily cost more to renovate a historic structure than to build anew, few large government or foundation grants are available to owners of historic properties, and even those few typically limit eligibility to government agencies or non-profits.
What is available tends to be tax incentives for private owners of historic buildings. Owners of sites listed in or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places may take advantage of a Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit that provides a 20% tax offset for the cost of rehabilitation. National Register properties are also eligible to benefit from “conservation easements” – binding legal agreements with preservation organizations such as the Los Ange les Conservancy that can allow owners to claim a charitable deduction on their Federal income taxes. Finally, the State’s Mills Act program, implemented by local governments throughout the State, including Los Angeles, allows historic property owners to take often-significant property tax reductions.
Myth #8: Old buildings are less safe
Although historic structures do sometimes require structural retrofits or the addition of fire sprinklers to enhance their safety, historic buildings typically perform better than newer construction in earthquakes and other natural disasters. What determines the safety of buildings is the quality of construction, not age, and, in many ways, “they just don’t build ‘em like they used to.” Los Angeles’ signature historic structures have survived every major temblor of the past eight decades. Yet, in the 1994 Northridge earthquake, the most catastrophic damage occurred no t to historic buildings but to newer construction such as parking garages, concrete tilt-up buildings, and newer apartments with “tuck-under” parking.
This is certainly true at times, but, in fact, historic preservation is typically more cost effective than new construction. Why? Historic buildings certainly do sometimes need upgrades, but these are usually less expensive than the costs of building all-new foundations , structural systems, roofs and building finishes.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation reports that in Chicago, where the public school system is now spending $2.5 billion to upgrade facilities, bare-bones new construction is costing $155 per square foot -- but renovation is costing just $130.
Here in Los Angeles, the State of California learned the potential savings from historic preservation in comparing the construction of two State Office Buildings: the new Ronald Reagan State Office Building on Spring Street at 3rd St., and the Junipero Serra State Office Building just two blocks away on Broadway at 4th St., in the renovated former flagship location of the Broadway Department Store. The historic renovation not only reused and reinvigorated an important landmark from 1914, but it saved taxpayers money by delivering office space at about half the cost per square of the all-new Reagan building just a few years before.
Myth #7: If I buy a historic property, there’s lots of government money available to help me fix it up
While it doesn’t necessarily cost more to renovate a historic structure than to build anew, few large government or foundation grants are available to owners of historic properties, and even those few typically limit eligibility to government agencies or non-profits.
What is available tends to be tax incentives for private owners of historic buildings. Owners of sites listed in or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places may take advantage of a Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit that provides a 20% tax offset for the cost of rehabilitation. National Register properties are also eligible to benefit from “conservation easements” – binding legal agreements with preservation organizations such as the Los Ange les Conservancy that can allow owners to claim a charitable deduction on their Federal income taxes. Finally, the State’s Mills Act program, implemented by local governments throughout the State, including Los Angeles, allows historic property owners to take often-significant property tax reductions.
Myth #8: Old buildings are less safe
Although historic structures do sometimes require structural retrofits or the addition of fire sprinklers to enhance their safety, historic buildings typically perform better than newer construction in earthquakes and other natural disasters. What determines the safety of buildings is the quality of construction, not age, and, in many ways, “they just don’t build ‘em like they used to.” Los Angeles’ signature historic structures have survived every major temblor of the past eight decades. Yet, in the 1994 Northridge earthquake, the most catastrophic damage occurred no t to historic buildings but to newer construction such as parking garages, concrete tilt-up buildings, and newer apartments with “tuck-under” parking.
Myth #9: Preservation is an un-American violation of property rights
Historic preservation laws no more infringe on property rights than do many other laws and private rules that Americans have long accepted. Though everyone likes to believe “my home is my castle and I can do whatever I want,” this statement simply doesn’t reflect reality. Zoning laws prevent you from replacing your single-family home with an apartment building or a five-story vertical mansion. We should all be happy that such laws prevent our neighbor from putting a landfill or a skyscraper behind our back fence.
If you live in a condominium (or an Orange County gated community), your property rights are limited by Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC & Rs), documents that can le gally prevent you from owning a pet, washing a car in your driveway, or having a basketball hoop over the garage. CC &R’s restrictions are far more onerous than historic preservation laws, yet are commonly accepted even by vocal property rights advocates.
Myth #10: Preservationists are always fighting new development and only care about the past
Historic preservationists do care deeply about the past - generally not just to wallow sentimentally in a bygone era, but as a way of anchoring ourselves as we move forward confidently into the future. Historic preservation is not about stopping change and is certainly not about squeezing out creative and exciting new architecture and development. Preservation allows us to retain the best of shared heritage to preserve sites of unique quality and beauty, revitalize neighborhoods, spur economic revitalization, and, quite simply, create better communities.
Ken Bernstein is Director of Preservation Issues for the Los Angeles Conservancy.
Historic preservation laws no more infringe on property rights than do many other laws and private rules that Americans have long accepted. Though everyone likes to believe “my home is my castle and I can do whatever I want,” this statement simply doesn’t reflect reality. Zoning laws prevent you from replacing your single-family home with an apartment building or a five-story vertical mansion. We should all be happy that such laws prevent our neighbor from putting a landfill or a skyscraper behind our back fence.
If you live in a condominium (or an Orange County gated community), your property rights are limited by Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC & Rs), documents that can le gally prevent you from owning a pet, washing a car in your driveway, or having a basketball hoop over the garage. CC &R’s restrictions are far more onerous than historic preservation laws, yet are commonly accepted even by vocal property rights advocates.
Myth #10: Preservationists are always fighting new development and only care about the past
Historic preservationists do care deeply about the past - generally not just to wallow sentimentally in a bygone era, but as a way of anchoring ourselves as we move forward confidently into the future. Historic preservation is not about stopping change and is certainly not about squeezing out creative and exciting new architecture and development. Preservation allows us to retain the best of shared heritage to preserve sites of unique quality and beauty, revitalize neighborhoods, spur economic revitalization, and, quite simply, create better communities.
Ken Bernstein is Director of Preservation Issues for the Los Angeles Conservancy.