La Quinta Municipal Code Ch. 7.09 Mills Act Contracts

A. This section implements the Mills Act (California Government Code section 50280 et seq.), related to landmark property contracts. The Mills Act authorizes local governments to enter into contracts with owners of private landmark property who will preserve and, when necessary, restore and rehabilitate the property. As consideration for the preservation, restoration, and rehabilitation of the property, a Mills Act contract will qualify the property for an assessment of valuation in accordance with California Revenue and Taxation Code section 439 et seq., which may result in tax savings for the property owner.

B. An owner of a property that is designated as a landmark pursuant to Title 7 is eligible and may apply to enter into a Mills Act contract with the city.

C. The City Council, by resolution, may limit the number of Mills Act contracts the city enters in any calendar year.

D. When considering whether an applicant is suitable for a Mills Act contract, the city shall evaluate applications that demonstrate any of the following:

1. The property is particularly significant due to its historic integrity, location, or other attribute.

2. The applicant has the ability to preserve and, when necessary, restore and rehabilitate the property.

3. The preservation and, when necessary, restoration and rehabilitation of the property will enhance the city's inventory of historic and cultural resources and landmark properties.

E. The Planning Division of the Design and Development Department shall make available Mills Act application materials.

F. A property owner who wishes to enter into a Mills Act contract with the city must submit an application to the Design and Development Director and pay a processing and administrative fee in an amount established by resolution of the city council. The Design and Development Director, or his or her designee, within 60 days of receipt of a complete application, shall determine the applicant's suitability for a Mills Act contract based on subsections B and D above. If the Design and Development Director, or his or her designee, determines the applicant is suitable for a Mills Act contract, the Design and Development Director, or his or her designee, shall prepare and make recommendations on the contents of the contract for consideration by the City Council.

G. The City Council may, in its sole discretion, approve, approve with conditions, or deny the proposed contract.

H. A Mills Act contract application that has been denied by the City Council cannot be resubmitted for one year from the date of City Council action.

(Ord. 621, § 1(Exh. A), 4-1-2025)