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Division 1 — Generally›Chapter 33›Article 40 — HISTORICAL RESOURCES

§ 33-798. Permits and permit procedures.

Escondido Zoning Code · 2026-05 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Escondido

  • (a) It is unlawful for any person to tear down, demolish, construct, alter, remove or relocate any historical resource or any portion thereof that has been listed on the Escondido historic sites survey, local register, designated a local landmark, or located within an historical overlay district or to alter in any manner any feature of such designated resource without first obtaining a permit in the manner provided in this article. All repairs, alterations, constructions, restorations or changes in use of applicable historical resources shall conform to the requirements of the State Historical Building Code and the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation.

  • (b) Unless otherwise exempted in this article, a certificate of appropriateness is required for any new construction, and/or alteration that would affect the exterior appearance of an historical resource listed on the local register, or located within a historical overlay district, including back and sides, as well as street façade, even when a building permit is not otherwise required. Other permits, and/or review by the planning commission, may be required as prescribed in this article.

  • (c) Exemptions. A certificate of appropriateness is not required for routine maintenance (masonry tuck-pointing, and cleaning), installation of temporary fixtures (awnings and canopies, signs and plaques, light fixtures, portable spas, steps, and landscape accessories) and maintenance and removal of plantings and nonmature trees, nor does this article prevent the construction, reconstruction, alteration, restoration, demolition or removal of any improvement when the city has been satisfied that such action is required for the public safety due to an unsafe or dangerous condition which cannot be rectified through the use of the State Historical Building Code.

  • (d) Submittal requirements for certificate of appropriateness. An application for a certificate of appropriateness shall be filed with the planning division on a form provided by the city.

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City of Escondido, CA

ESCONDIDO CODE

§ 33-798

§ 33-798

  • (e) Review processes. Following the planning division's receipt of a complete application, the director shall determine the appropriate review process as follows:

    • (1) Minor projects. Minor projects shall be subject to planning division staff administrative review. Minor projects include:

  • (A) Placement or removal of exterior objects and restoration and exterior changes to materials (siding, brick, stucco, metal, etc.) and structures including porches (columns, cornices), roofs (covering, change in shape), any painting of exterior surfaces, satellite dishes, solar collectors, freestanding walls, fences and retaining walls, any modifications to historical signs, restoration and exterior changes to architectural details and decorative elements (fish scale, shingles, dentils, shutters), porches (trim, railing, ornamentation), exterior staircases, exterior doors, windows, skylights, mechanical systems (window units, exhaust fans, vents), storm windows and doors, security grilles, and fire escapes. 

    - (B) Improvements and alterations to properties listed on the Escondido historic sites survey outside a historical overlay district shall be subject to staff administrative review to ensure said improvements do not affect the properties' integrity such that they will maintain eligibility to be placed on the local register.

    • (2) Major projects. Major projects shall be subject to design review by the director of development services, or their designee, unless otherwise noted below. Major projects include all new construction (primary structure, out-buildings), additions (including porch enclosures, dormers, etc.), removal, relocation, changes to the site (grading, parking lots, paving), public right-of-way improvements (curb and gutter, sidewalks, street paving, driveways, curb cuts, stamped sidewalk), new freestanding signs, street furniture, and any project requiring a plot plan review.

      • (A) Major projects for properties located within a historical overlay district, and on the local register are subject to design review by the planning commission.

      • (B) Notwithstanding subsection (A) above, major projects for all other properties within a historical overlay district shall be subject to staff design review prior to a decision by the director of development services, unless it is determined by the director that the proposed project does not conform to the design guidelines for historic resources and therefore requires design review by the planning commission.

      • (C) Major projects for properties outside a historical overlay district but identified on the local register shall be subject to staff design review prior to a decision by the director of development services, unless it is determined by the director that the proposed project does not conform to the design guidelines for historic resources and therefore requires design review by the planning commission.

      • (D) Major projects for properties listed on the Escondido historic sites survey but outside a historic overlay district and not on the local register shall be subject to staff administrative review to ensure said improvements do not affect a property's integrity such that they would be ineligible for inclusion on the local register at a future time.

    • (3) Discretionary projects requiring a public hearing. Discretionary projects requiring a

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City of Escondido, CA § 33-798

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▸ Contents — Escondido Zoning Code
Escondido Zoning Code
  1. Chapter 6
  2. Division 2 — Routing
  3. Division 2 — Weed and Rubbish Abatement Program
  4. ▸ Division 1 — Generally
    Overview
    1. § 11-53. Created and established.
    2. § 11-54. Purpose.
    3. § 11-55. Membership.
    4. § 11-56. Members in classified service and subject to civil se…
    5. § 11-57. Personnel to obey fire chief and rules and regulation…
    6. § 11-63. Appointment; tenure.
    7. § 11-64. Qualifications.
    8. § 11-65. Status of employment.
    9. § 11-66. General authority.
    10. § 11-67. To perform duties prescribed by city manager.
    11. § 11-68. To aid enforcement of ordinances, report violations.
    12. § 11-69. Duty to promulgate and enforce rules, regulations for…
    13. § 11-70. Authority, duty to inspect buildings, premises and or…
    14. § 11-71. Right of entry to make inspections.
    15. § 11-72. Duty to investigate fires, maintain records.
    16. § 11-73. Duty to preserve order at fires.
    17. § 11-74. Provide instruction for department in first aid, etc.
    18. § 11-75. Duty to call fire drills; purpose of drills.
    19. § 11-76. Responsible for conduct of and property of department.
    20. § 11-77. Duty to recommend disciplinary action.
    21. § 11-78. Duty to make reports; contents.
    22. § 11-79. To submit annual budget.
    23. Chapter 20
    24. Chapter 32
    25. ▸ Chapter 33
      Overview
      1. § 33-1313. Penalty provisions.
      2. Article 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS
      3. Article 2 — OPEN SPACE AND HAZARDOUS LANDS GENERALLY
      4. Article 3 — OPEN SPACE (OS) ZONE
      5. Article 4 — FLOOD PLAIN (FP) OVERLAY ZONE
      6. Article 5 — OPEN SPACE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
      7. Article 6 — RESIDENTIAL ZONES
      8. Article 9 — ANIMAL OVERLAY (AO) ZONE
      9. Article 11 — (RESERVED)
      10. Article 13 — (RESERVED)
      11. Article 16 — COMMERCIAL ZONES
      12. Article 18 — SPECIFIC PLAN (S-P) ZONE
      13. Article 19 — PLANNED DEVELOPMENT (P-D) ZONE
      14. Article 24 — (RESERVED)
      15. Article 25 — PARKING OF RECREATIONAL VEHICLES IN RESIDENTIAL Z…
      16. Article 26 — INDUSTRIAL ZONES
      17. Article 27 — EMERGENCY SHELTER OVERLAY
      18. Article 30 — HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL OVERLAY (H-C-O) ZONE
      19. Article 31 — SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT (S-T-P) OVERLAY ZONE
      20. Article 32 — BED AND BREAKFAST FACILITIES
      21. Article 33 — RECYCLING FACILITIES
      22. Article 34 — COMMUNICATION ANTENNAS
      23. Article 35 — OUTDOOR LIGHTING
      24. Article 36 — CARGO CONTAINER RESTRICTIONS
      25. Article 37 — PUBLIC ART
      26. Article 38 — MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS
      27. Article 39 — OFF-STREET PARKING
      28. ▸ Article 40 — HISTORICAL RESOURCES
        Overview
        1. § 33-790. Purpose and definitions.
        2. § 33-791. (Reserved)
        3. § 33-792. Establishment of a local register of historical plac…
        4. § 33-793. Designation of a local historical landmark.
        5. § 33-794. Procedure and criteria for local register listing or…
        6. § 33-796 significance within the past 50 years;
        7. § 33-795. Procedure and criteria for rescinding local register…
        8. § 33-796. Historical districts.
        9. § 33-797. Procedure and findings for designating an historical…
        10. § 33-798. Permits and permit procedures.
        11. § 33-799 public hearing shall be acted on by the ultimate deci…
        12. § 33-799. Incentives for preserving historical resources.
        13. § 33-800. Duty to keep in good repair.
        14. § 33-801. Demolishing an historical resource.
        15. § 33-802. Procedure for obtaining an emergency demolition perm…
        16. § 33-803. Procedure and findings for obtaining a nonemergency …
        17. § 33-804 granting of a demolition permit.
        18. § 33-804. Enforcement and penalties.
        19. § 33-805. Historic street markings.
        20. § 33-806. Public notification.
      29. Article 41 — SENIOR HOUSING
      30. Article 42 — ADULT BUSINESSES
      31. Article 43 — ABANDONED SERVICE STATIONS
      32. Article 44 — HOME OCCUPATIONS
      33. Article 45 — MOBILEHOME PARKS
      34. Article 46 — TRAVEL TRAILER PARKS
      35. Article 47 — ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
      36. Article 48 — RELOCATION OF BUILDINGS
      37. Article 49 — AIR SPACE CONDOMINIUM AND COMMUNITY APARTMENT PRO…
      38. Article 52 — FREEWAY SIGN CONTROL
      39. Article 55 — GRADING AND EROSION CONTROL
      40. Article 56 — MISCELLANEOUS DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
      41. Article 57 — MISCELLANEOUS USE RESTRICTIONS
      42. Article 58 — DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS
  5. Division 1
  6. Division 2 — Variances and Administrative Adjustments
  7. Division 3 — Nonconforming Uses and Structures
  8. Division 4 — Amendments and Zone Changes
  9. Division 5 — Reasonable Accommodation
  10. Division 6 — Public Hearings, Notices, Fees and Appeals
  11. Division 7 — Enforcement and Penalties
  12. Division 8 — Plot Plans
  13. Division 9 — Zoning Administrator

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