15.100 Applicability and Enforcement.

A. Applicability.

No application for a permit to construct, alter, demolish, or remove any structure or other feature on a proposed landmark site or in a proposed historic district, filed subsequent to the date of initiation or proceedings to designate the landmark site or historic district, shall be approved while the proceedings are pending; provided, however, that if final action on the designation has not been completed one hundred eighty (180) days after initiation of designation proceedings, the permit application may be approved.
The provisions of this Chapter shall be inapplicable to the construction, alteration, demolition, or removal of any structure or other feature of a landmark site or in a historic district, where a permit for the performance of such work was issued prior to initiation of proceedings for designation of the landmark site or historic district, and where such permit has not expired or been canceled or revoked, provided that construction is started and diligently prosecuted to completion in accordance with the Building Code.

B. Unsafe or Dangerous Conditions. None of the provisions of this Chapter shall prevent any measures or construction, alteration, or demolition necessary to correct the unsafe or dangerous condition of any structure, other feature, or part thereof, where such condition has been declared unsafe or dangerous by the Chief Building Official or the Fire Marshal, and where the proposed measures have been declared necessary by such official to correct the said condition; provided, however, that only such work as is absolutely necessary to correct the unsafe or dangerous condition and as is done with due regard for preservation of the appearance of the structure

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

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involved, may be performed pursuant to this section. In the event any structure or other feature shall be damaged by fire, or other calamity, or by act of God, to such an extent that in the opinion of the aforesaid officials it cannot be reasonably repaired and restored, it may be removed in conformity with normal permit procedures and applicable laws.

C. Duty to Keep in Good Repair. The owner, lessee, and other person in actual charge or possession of a landmark, a structure in a historic district, or any other cultural or historically significant property, shall keep in good repair all of the exterior portions of such landmark or structure, all of the interior portions thereof when subject to control as specified in the designating ordinance, and all interior portions thereof whose maintenance is necessary to prevent deterioration and decay of any exterior portion.

D. Filing Fees. There shall be no filing fees beyond those required by other sections of the City Code for any application, or to commence any proceedings under this Chapter.

E. Methods of Enforcement. This section shall be enforced in accordance with the provisions of Section 26.010 and Section 26.020 of the Zoning Ordinance and Section 1.08.010 of the Petaluma Municipal Code dated January 1972. The Director shall have the authority to implement the enforcement thereof by serving notice requiring the removal of any violation of this Chapter upon the owner, agent, tenant, or occupant of the building or land, or upon the architect, builder, contractor, or other person who commits or assists in any such violation.