Article II — Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources

A. The ordinances adopting designations and deletions of landmarks, contributing resources and historic districts shall be known, collectively, as the "Sacramento register of historic and cultural resources" or the "Sacramento register."

B. The original Sacramento register and any subsequent amendments, inclusions, or deletions thereto shall be on file with the city clerk.

C. All structures and preservation areas designated on the official register as of the date of enactment of Ordinance No. 2001-027 and on the Sacramento register as of the date of enactment of the ordinance codified in this chapter are included on the Sacramento register of historic and cultural resources (Sacramento register). All structures individually designated on the official register as essential or priority structures are designated landmarks on the Sacramento register, and shall be subject to the restrictions and conditions applicable to landmarks. All geographic areas previously designated as preservation areas designated on the official register are designated as historic districts on the Sacramento register, and are subject to the restrictions and conditions applicable to historic districts.

D. The preservation director shall take appropriate steps to ensure that the Sacramento register is properly maintained, regularly updated, distributed to city staff as necessary to carry out the purpose and intent of this chapter, and made available to the public. The preservation director shall also take appropriate steps to maintain and regularly update a list or compilation of resources within the city that are on the California Register of Historical Resources or the National Register of Historic Places, and to make the list or compilation available for public review and use. (Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

The criteria and requirements for listing on, or deletion from, the Sacramento register as a landmark, historic district or contributing resource are as follows:

A. Listing on the Sacramento register-Landmarks. A nominated resource shall be listed on the Sacramento register as a landmark if the city council finds, after holding the hearing required by this chapter, that all of the requirements set forth below are satisfied:

1. Requirements.

• a. The nominated resource meets one or more of the following criteria:

i. It is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of the history of the city, the region, the state or the nation;

ii. It is associated with the lives of persons significant in the city's past;

• iii. It embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction;

• iv. It represents the work of an important creative individual or master;

• v. It possesses high artistic values; or

vi. It has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in the prehistory or history of the city, the region, the state or the nation;

b. The nominated resource has integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship and association. Integrity shall be judged with reference to the particular criterion or criteria specified in subsection A.1.a of this section;

c. The nominated resource has significant historic or architectural worth, and its designation as a landmark is reasonable, appropriate and necessary to promote, protect and further the goals and purposes of this chapter.

2. Factors to be considered. In determining whether to list a nominated resource on the Sacramento register as a landmark, the factors below shall be considered.

a. A structure removed from its original location is eligible if it is significant primarily for its architectural value or it is the most important surviving structure associated with a historic person or event.

b. A birthplace or grave is eligible if it is that of a historical figure of outstanding importance and there is no other appropriate site or structure directly associated with his or her productive life.

c. A reconstructed building is eligible if the reconstruction is historically accurate, if the structure is presented in a dignified manner as part of a restoration master plan, and if no other original structure survives that has the same association.

d. Properties that are primarily commemorative in intent are eligible if design, age, tradition, or symbolic value invests such properties with their own historical significance.

e. Properties achieving significance within the past 50 years are eligible if such properties are of exceptional importance.

B. Listing on the Sacramento register-Historic districts. A geographic area nominated as a historic district shall be listed on the Sacramento register as a historic district if the city council finds, after holding the hearing required by this chapter, that all of the requirements set forth below are satisfied:

1. Requirements.

• a. The area is a geographically definable area; or

• b. The area possesses either:

i. A significant concentration or continuity of buildings unified by: (A) past events or (B) aesthetically by plan or physical development; or

ii. The area is associated with an event, person, or period significant or important to city history; or

c. The designation of the geographic area as a historic district is reasonable, appropriate and necessary to protect, promote and further the goals and purposes of this chapter and is not inconsistent with other goals and policies of the city.

2. Factors to be considered. In determining whether to list a geographic area on the Sacramento register as a historic district, the following factors shall be considered:

a. A historic district should have integrity of design, setting, materials, workmanship and association;

b. The collective historic value of the buildings and structures in a historic district taken together may be greater than the historic value of each individual building or structure.

C. Listing on the Sacramento register-Contributing resources. A nominated resource shall be listed on the Sacramento register as a contributing resource if the council finds, after holding the hearing required by this chapter, that all of the following requirements are satisfied:

1. The nominated resource is within a historic district;

2. The nominated resource either embodies the significant features and characteristics of the historic district or adds to the historical associations, historical architectural qualities or archaeological values identified for the historic district;

3. The nominated resource was present during the period of historical significance of the historic district and relates to the documented historical significance of the historic district;

4. The nominated resource either possesses historic integrity or is capable of yielding important information about the period of historical significance of the historic district; and

5. The nominated resource has important historic or architectural worth, and its designation as a contributing resource is reasonable, appropriate and necessary to protect, promote and further the goals and purposes of this chapter.

D. Deletions from the Sacramento register. An application to delete a listed historic resource from the Sacramento register may be approved if the city council finds, after holding the hearings required by this chapter, that the listed historic resource no longer meets the requirements set forth above; provided that where a landmark or contributing resource is proposed for deletion due to a loss of integrity, the loss of integrity was not the result of any illegal act or willful neglect by the owner or agent of the owner. (Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

A. Initiation of nomination proceedings.

1. Statement of nomination. The city council, preservation commission and the preservation director shall each have the authority to initiate proceedings to nominate resources for listing on the Sacramento register as landmarks, historic districts, or contributing resources by filing a statement of nomination with the secretary to the preservation commission.

2. Hearing by preservation director. The preservation director shall hold at least one public hearing on a statement of nomination filed under paragraph 1 of this subsection. The procedural requirements of the hearing and the content of the notice are governed by chapter 17.812. Notice of the hearing shall be given by mail to the owner of the resource proposed for nomination or, in the case of a nomination of a historic district, to all property owners within the proposed district.

3. Decision and notification-Concurring with statement of nomination. At the conclusion of the hearing, the preservation director shall issue a written decision. The preservation director shall base his or her decision on the criteria, considerations and assessment of integrity and significance outlined in this chapter.

a. If the preservation director concurs, in whole or in part, with the statement of nomination, the director shall issue a written statement of the reasons for the nomination based on the eligibility criteria for listing on the Sacramento register and shall include a description of the resource's significant features and characteristics. Upon issuance of the preservation director's written statement, the resource shall be deemed nominated for listing on the Sacramento register. The preservation director shall transmit or cause to be transmitted written notice of the decision to the preservation commission and to the owner of the nominated resource or, in the case of a nomination of a historic district, to all property owners within the proposed district. The notice of decision shall include the following:

i. Notification that the resource has been nominated for listing on the Sacramento register as a landmark or contributing resource, along with the statement of the reasons for the nomination issued by the preservation director. In the case of a nomination of a historic district, the notice shall include a description of the proposed boundaries of the district and whether the owner's property is proposed to be added as a contributing or non-contributing resource; ii. A general explanation of the nomination process, including the noticed hearings before the preservation commission and the council, and the provisions of section 17.604.240 on the effects of nomination on development projects;

iii. A general explanation of the effects of placement on the Sacramento register, including the restrictions on alteration and demolition, as well as the general benefits from placement on the register.

b. If the preservation director does not concur, in whole or in part, with the statement of nomination, the director shall issue a written statement of the reasons for not concurring in the nomination. The preservation director shall transmit written notice of the decision to the preservation commission and to the owner of the resource or, in the case of the nomination of a historic district, to all property owners within the proposed district. The notice shall include the date of the preservation commission meeting at which the preservation commission will review and consider the matter under subsection B.1.b of this section.

B. Nomination of resource to Sacramento register-Hearing by the preservation commission.

1. Notice and hearing.

a. If the preservation director concurs with the statement of nomination, the preservation commission shall hold at least one public hearing on the nomination. The procedural requirements of the hearing and the content of the notice shall be governed by chapter 17.812. The notice shall also include the statement of the reasons for the nomination issued under subsection A.3 of this section. The identification of significant features and characteristics in the notice shall not be considered binding on the preservation commission or council, and nothing shall prevent or preclude the preservation commission or council from identifying different, additional or fewer significant features and characteristics. Notice of the hearing shall be given by mail pursuant to section 17.812.030.B.4.

b. If the preservation director does not concur with the statement of nomination, the preservation director shall present the matter to the preservation commission for its review and consideration at its next available regular meeting or at a special meeting. The preservation commission may direct the preservation director to set the nomination for hearing under subsection B.1.a of this section, in which case the resource is deemed nominated for listing on the Sacramento register. The preservation director shall transmit written notice of the preservation commission's action to owners of the nominated resources or, in the case of a nomination of a historic district, to all property owners within the proposed district, in the manner provided in subsection A.3 of this section.

his section, in which case the resource is deemed nominated for listing on the Sacramento register. The preservation director shall transmit written notice of the preservation commission's action to owners of the nominated resources or, in the case of a nomination of a historic district, to all property owners within the proposed district, in the manner provided in subsection A.3 of this section.

2. Recommendation. At the conclusion of the hearing, the preservation commission shall make a recommendation to the city council on the nomination. The preservation commission shall base its recommendation on the criteria, considerations and assessment of integrity and significance outlined in this chapter. If it recommends listing of the nominated resource on the Sacramento register, the preservation commission shall specify the significant features or characteristics of the nominated resource. In the case of a recommendation for listing of a historic district on the Sacramento register, the preservation commission shall identify as a contributing resource any property, structure, feature, or other resource within the nominated historic district that it determines contributes to the district's designation as a historic district. Properties, structures, features or other resources that happen to be located within the nominated historic district boundaries, but that have no relevance to the area's identified significance, significant physical features or identifying characteristics, shall be deemed non-contributing resources.

3. Transmittal to city council. The preservation director shall transmit to the city clerk for review by the city council the preservation commission's recommendations on placement of nominated resources on the Sacramento register.

C. Nomination of resource to Sacramento register-Hearing and decision by city council.

1. Notice and hearing. The city council shall hold at least one public hearing on the nomination as recommended by the preservation commission. The procedural requirements of the hearing and the content of the notice shall be governed by chapter 17.812. Notice of the hearing shall be given by publication and mail pursuant to sections 17.812.030.B.1 and 3.

2. Decision. At the conclusion of the hearing, the city council may adopt, modify or reject the action recommended by the preservation commission. In the alternative, the city council may refer the proposed action to the preservation commission for further hearings, consideration or study. The significant features and characteristics of the nominated property identified by the preservation director and the preservation commission shall not be considered binding on the council, and nothing shall prevent or preclude the council from identifying different, additional or fewer significant features and characteristics. Adoption of any listing on or deletion from the Sacramento register shall be made by uncodified ordinance which shall contain findings of fact in support of each designation. The uncodified ordinance shall identify significant features or characteristics of resources added to the Sacramento register, and shall identify contributing resources and noncontributing resources in a historic district. (Ord. 2026-0001 § 27; Ord. 20130020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

17.604.230 Procedures for deletion of listed resources from the Sacramento register.

• A. Request to delete historic resource from the Sacramento register.

1. Historic districts. The city council, preservation commission and the preservation director shall have the authority to initiate proceedings to request the deletion of a historic district from the Sacramento register by filing a statement of deletion with the secretary to the preservation commission.

2. Landmarks and contributing resources. The owner of a landmark or contributing resource may submit an application for deletion of the listed historic resource from the Sacramento register by filing an application with the preservation director.

3. Historic resources no longer eligible for the Sacramento register. The preservation director shall periodically propose and process for deletion from the Sacramento register those listed historic resources that have been lawfully removed, demolished or disturbed to such an extent that, in the preservation director's opinion, they no longer qualify for listing on the register.

4. Early notification. The preservation director shall provide early notification of requests for the deletion of a listed historic resource from the Sacramento register in accordance with the policies and procedures established under Section 17.812.030.E.

• B. Request to delete landmarks and contributing resources-Preliminary determination of preservation director.

1. Preliminary determination. Within such time that is reasonable and practicable after the preservation director has determined that an owner's application for deletion is complete, the preservation director shall make a preliminary determination on whether the listed historic resource is eligible for deletion from the Sacramento register based on the criteria specified in section 17.604.210. If the preservation director determines that the listed historic resource is eligible for deletion from the Sacramento register, the application shall be set for hearing by the preservation commission pursuant to subsection C of this section. If the preservation director determines that the listed historic resource is not eligible for deletion from the Sacramento register, the application shall be considered to be denied.

2. Notice of preliminary determination. The preservation director shall give written notice of the preliminary determination to the applicant and to those who received early notice of the application for deletion under subsection A.4 of this section.

3. Appeal. Any person dissatisfied with a preliminary determination by the preservation director that a listed historic resource is not eligible for deletion from the Sacramento register may appeal the determination to the preservation commission. The appeal hearing by the preservation commission shall be noticed, heard, and otherwise governed by the provisions of subsection C of this section.

• C. Request to delete historic resource from Sacramento register-Hearing by the preservation commission.

1. Notice and hearing. Upon receipt of a statement of deletion, an application by an owner to delete a historic resource from the Sacramento register, or an appeal from the preservation director's preliminary determination that a historic resource is not eligible for deletion from the Sacramento register, the preservation commission shall hold at least one public hearing on the deletion. The procedural requirements of the hearing and the content of the notice shall be governed by chapter 17.812. Notice of the hearing shall be given by mail pursuant to section 17.812.030.B.3.

2. Recommendation.

a. Except as provided in subparagraph b of this paragraph 2, the preservation commission shall make a recommendation to the city council on the proposed deletion. The preservation commission shall base its recommendation on the criteria, considerations and assessment of integrity and significance outlined in this chapter.

b. In the case of an appeal from the preservation director's preliminary determination that a historic resource is not eligible for deletion from the Sacramento register, if the preservation commission determines that the historic resource is not eligible for deletion and denies the appeal, the decision of the preservation commission shall be final and shall not be subject to appeal.

3. Transmittal to city council. The preservation director shall transmit to the city clerk for review by the city council the preservation commission's recommendations on the deletion of historic resources from the Sacramento register.

D. Request to delete historic resource from Sacramento register-Hearing and decision by city council.

1. Notice and hearing. The city council shall hold at least one public hearing on the proposed deletion as recommended by the preservation commission. The procedural requirements of the hearing and the content of the notice shall be governed by chapter 17.812. Notice of the hearing shall be given by publication and mail pursuant to sections 17.812.030.B.1 and 3.

2. Decision. At the conclusion of the hearing, the city council may adopt, modify or reject the action recommended by the preservation commission. In the alternative, the city council may refer the proposed action to the preservation commission for further hearings, consideration or study. Approval of the deletion of a historic resource from the Sacramento register shall be made by uncodified ordinance that shall contain findings of fact in support of the deletion. (Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

A. Subject to the time limits set forth in subsection B of this section, any resource nominated as a landmark or contributing resource under subsections A or B.1.b of section 17.604.220 shall be considered to be a landmark or contributing resource for purposes of article IV, and it shall be subject to the restrictions and protections of article IV as further provided in section 17.604.400. Any geographic area nominated as a historic district under subsections A or B.1.b of section 17.604.220 shall be considered to be a historic district for purposes of Article IV of this chapter, and the properties located within the proposed historic district shall be subject to the restrictions and protections of article IV as further provided in section 17.604.400.

B. Subsection A of this section shall apply for a period of 180 days from the date the property becomes a nominated resource. After 180 days have elapsed, if the city council has not adopted an ordinance designating the nominated resource as a landmark, contributing resource or historic district, subsection A of this section shall no longer apply; provided, that the council may adopt an ordinance for a single extension of time to consider the nomination up to an additional 180 days.

C. Listed historic resources proposed for deletion from the Sacramento register are subject to the restrictions and protections of article IV unless and until a final decision is made by the city council to delete the listed historic resources from the Sacramento register. (Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

When a nomination for listing of a resource on the register is denied, no new nomination for listing of the same or substantially the same resource may be filed or submitted for a period of one year from the effective date of the final denial of the nomination. Where a nomination for deletion of a listed historic resource from the register has been denied, no new application to delete the same listed historic resource may be filed or submitted for a period of one year from the effective date of the final denial. (Ord. 2024-0017 § 55; Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)