Long Beach Municipal Code Ch. 18.65 Demolition of Historic Landmarks

A. No permit to demolish a landmark or contributing structure designated pursuant to Chapter 2.63 may be issued by the Department unless: (1) a building permit has been issued for a replacement structure or project for the property involved; and (2) the applicant has submitted evidence to the satisfaction of the Cultural Heritage Commission that a financial commitment has been obtained by the applicant to assure the completion of the structure or project.

B. Whenever, following action by the Cultural Heritage Commission pursuant to Subsection 18.65.010.A, a permit to demolish a landmark is either issued or denied by the Department, the Director shall immediately notify the applicant and the Cultural Heritage Commission of such issuance.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

A. The applicant or any interested person may appeal a decision to issue or withhold a demolition permit by the Director under Section 18.65.010 to the City Council by filing an appeal therefrom with the City Clerk within ten (10) days of notification of the applicant and the Cultural Heritage Commission under Section 18.65.010 of the decision, and no decision shall be final until expiration of that ten-day period. Such appeal shall be set for hearing by the City Council within twenty-one (21) days of filing the appeal, and the applicant shall not be relieved of the requirements of this section until a final decision is rendered by the City Council.

B. On appeal, the City Council shall determine, through factual evidence, whether unusual and compelling circumstances, including extreme economic hardship to the applicant, exist in the case before it, and if it so finds, it shall act on the appeal in such a way as to result in granting of the permit which is the subject matter of the appeal.

C. Both the applicant and appellant, if different from the applicant, shall be notified by mail to the address of the applicant or appellant as indicated on the permit application or appeal of all hearings and decisions made pursuant to this section.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

This chapter shall not apply to any landmark which has been determined by the Fire Code Official and Building Official to be imminently dangerous or to constitute an immediate threat to the public health and safety.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to be contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of Chapter 12.75 (commencing with Section 7060) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the California Government Code, and should any provision of this chapter be contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of that Chapter 12.75, then the provisions of Chapter 12.75 shall prevail.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)