15.020 Powers and Duties of the Historic and Cultural

A. The Historic and Cultural Preservation Committee:

Shall hear and approve, approve with modifications, or disapprove permit applications for construction, alteration, demolition, and repair or maintenance work to a designated landmark site or structure in accordance with Section 15.050(A) of this Chapter.
Shall hear and approve, approve with modifications, or disapprove applications for construction, alteration, demolition, and repair or maintenance work on structures or sites within historic districts, as provided in Sections 15.050 and 15.070 of this Chapter.
Shall hear and make a determination on applications for demolition as provided in Section 15.060 of this Chapter.
Shall hear and make a determination on referrals as provided in Section 15.090 of this Chapter.
Shall hear and make a recommendation to the Planning Commission, as required by this Article, on applications for the designation of landmarks and historic districts.
Shall hear and make a recommendation to the Planning Commission on applications for zoning amendments related to this Chapter or other associated preservation related items.
May establish and maintain a list of structures and other landmarks deserving official recognition although not designated as landmarks or historic districts, and recommend appropriate measures for recognition.
May, upon request of the property owner, advise with respect to any proposed work not requiring a City Permit on a designated landmark site or in a designated historic district. Examples of the work included but not limited to painting and repainting of exterior surfaces, roofing, fencing, landscaping, glazing, and installation of light fixtures. In advising, the Historic and Cultural Preservation Committee shall be guided by the purposes and standards specified in this Chapter.

B. The Planning Commission:

Shall, after receiving recommendation from the Historic and Cultural Preservation Committee and conducting a public hearing, make a recommendation to the City Council, concerning designation of landmarks and historic districts, as provided in Section 15.040(G) of this Chapter.

The Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance is current through Ordinance 2907, passed September 8, 2025.

Ch. 15 Preservation of the Cultural and Historic Environment | Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance

Page 3 of 9

Shall, after receiving recommendation from the Historic and Cultural Preservation Committee and conducting a public hearing, make a recommendation to the City Council concerning zoning text amendments related to this Chapter.
Shall consider the decision of the Historic and Cultural Preservation Committee on any permit as part of a project that also requires discretionary review by the Planning Commission to avoid conflict between preservation practice and use or legislative decisions to the extent practicable.

C. Both the Planning Commission and the Historic and Cultural Preservation Committee may consult with and shall consider the ideas and recommendations of recognized historic preservation organizations, and in cases affecting commercial property, the affected business community, and obtain professional advice as may be deemed necessary.

D. When discretionary actions by both the Planning Commission and the Historic and Cultural Preservation Committee are required for a single project, the two bodies may consider their respective entitlements in a joint hearing as long as all applicable requirements of the ordinance and applicable law are met by such a joint hearing.