La Quinta Municipal Code Ch. 7.02 General Regulation and Administration

This title shall be known as the "historic preservation ordinance."

(Ord. 238 § 2, 1993; Ord. 207 § 1, 1992)

It is the intent and purpose of this title to:

A. Effect the protection, enhancement and perpetuation of historic resources, landmarks and districts that represent or reflect elements of the city's diverse cultural, social, economic, political and architectural history;

B. Safeguard the city's historic heritage, as represented by its historic resources, landmarks and historic districts;

C. Stabilize and improve property values;

D. Foster civic pride in the character and accomplishments of the past;

E. Protect and enhance the city's attraction to residents, tourists and visitors and serve to support and stimulate business and industry;

F. Strengthen the economy of the city;

G. Promote the use of historic districts and landmarks for the education, enjoyment and welfare of the people of the city.

(Ord. 238 § 2, 1993; Ord. 207 § 1, 1992)

This title shall apply to all historic resources, publicly and privately owned, within the corporate limits of the city.

(Ord. 238 § 2, 1993; Ord. 207 § 1, 1992)

Whenever the following words or terms are used in this title they shall have the meaning established by this section:

"Alteration" means any change or modification, through public or private action, of any historic resource or of any property located within a historic district, including, but not limited to, exterior changes to or modifications of a structure or any of its architectural details or visual characteristics, including paint color and surface texture, grading, surface paving, new structures, cutting or removal of trees and other natural features, disturbances of archaeological sites or areas, and the placement or removal of any objects such as signs, plaques, light fixtures, street furniture, walls, fences, steps, plantings and landscape accessories affecting the historic qualities of the property.

"Archaeological site" means an area where remains of man or his activities prior to keeping of history are still evident.

"Certificate of appropriateness" means a certificate issued by the city council approving such plans, specifications, design or statements of work for any proposed alteration, restoration, construction, removal, relocation or demolition, in whole or in part, of or to any historic resource or to any improvement within a historic district.

"Commission" means the planning commission established by this title.

"Contributing structure" means a structure within a designated historic district which has a special character, special historic or aesthetic interest or value, and is incorporated into the district for that reason.

"Exterior architectural feature" means the architectural style, design, general arrangement, components and natural features and all the outer surfaces of the improvement, including, but not limited to, the kind and texture of the building material, the type and style of all windows, doors, lights, signs, walls, fences, and other fixtures appurtenant to such improvement, and the natural form and appearance of any grade, rock, body of water, stream, tree, plant, shrub, road, path, walkway, plaza, fountain, sculpture, or other form of natural or artificial landscaping.

"Historic district" means any area which contains one (1) or more historic resources or landmarks which has a special character or special historical value, along with other structural, cultural, architectural, archaeological, agricultural, community or aesthetic value, or which represents one (1) or more architectural periods or styles typical to the history of the city, that has been designated a historic district pursuant to this title.

"Historic resource" means improvements, including, but not necessarily limited to, buildings, landscape, structures, signs, features, sites, places, areas, or other objects of scientific, aesthetic, educational, cultural, architectural, agricultural or historic significance to the citizens of the city.

"Historic resources inventory" means the historic resources inventory adopted and maintained by council pursuant to Chapter 7.06 of this title.

"Improvement" means any building, structure, place, site, structural work of art, landscape feature, plant life, life-form, scenic condition, parking facility, fence, gate, wall or other object constituting a physical betterment of real property, or any part of such betterment.

"Landmark" means any property or improvement, manmade or natural, which has special historic, cultural, architectural, archaeological, community interest or value as part of the development, heritage or history of the city, the state of California, or the nation, and that has been designated as a landmark pursuant to this title.

"Ordinary maintenance" means any cleaning, painting, and/or other restoration which does not result in the alteration of an improvement or landmark.

"Paleontological site" means an area where fossilized or otherwise preserved remains of plants or animals which generally predate man's emergence on the earth are still evident.

"Person" means any individual, association, partnership, firm, corporation, public agency, or political subdivision.

"Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation" means the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings by the U.S. Department of the Interior, or the National Park Service.

"Site" means any parcel or portion of real property which has special character or special historic, cultural, archaeological, architectural, community or aesthetic value.

(Ord. 536 § 1, 2016; Ord. 238 § 2, 1993; Ord. 207 § 1, 1992)