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Title 18 — ZONING›Chapter 18.62 — NONCONFORMING USES, STRUCTURES AND SITES

§ 18.89

Whittier Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Whittier

18.89.010 - Purpose and intent.

The purpose of the provisions of this chapter is to preserve and enhance the architectural and historic integrity of the College Hills historic district, ensuring that any new development or alterations to existing structures in the district are compatible with the historic context and identity of the district.

(Ord. No. 2926, § 1, 5-26-09)

18.89.020 - Historic district defined.

The following characteristics define the College Hills historic district:

A.

Boundaries. The College Hills historic district boundaries are based on the original College Hills Subdivision Map of 1923, which is comprised of a thirty-one-acre site that has been subdivided into a total of one hundred nineteen (119) lots along Philadelphia Street, Ridge Road, Bryn Mawr Way, Hillside Lane, and Worsham Drive, as shown on the map below. Each lot within the College Hills historic district has been identified as a contributing resource, non-contributing resource or vacant lot.

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Contributing Resource* Non-Contributing Resource Vacant

*In addition to the residences located on the lots noted above, the following features are also contributing resources to the College Hills historic district:

1.

Original street lamps located on Bryn Mawr Way, Glen Court, Hillside Lane, Philadelphia Street, and Worsham Drive.

Canary Island Pine Trees (Pinus Canariensis) planted along Bryn Mawr Way and Philadelphia Street.

3.

Cement step walkway linking Worsham Drive, Hillside Lane, Philadelphia Street, and Ridge Road.

4.

Retaining walls on said properties located on Bryn Mawr Way, Glen Court, Hillside Lane, Philadelphia Street, and Worsham Drive.

B.

Historic Characteristics. The features of the College Hills historic district which define its historic significance and the character of the area to be preserved include:

1.

Land Use. Originally a part of Worsham Ranch, the College Hills residential subdivision, now referred to as the College Hills historic district, was created in 1923 by a syndicate of Whittier businessmen who later sold their interest in the subdivision to Whittier College.

The majority of homes within the College Hills historic district were generally developed over a period of six decades (circa 1920's to 1970's). Many of the properties have panoramic views of the city and of the greater southern California region.

Developing a reputation as one of the finest residential subdivisions in the city, the College Hills subdivision became synonymous with many college, government, community, and business leaders in Southern California who owned property in the neighborhood. It also appealed to many well-to-do members of the community.

As the subdivision has been successfully developed to master the steep slopes, grade changes, and curving hills throughout development, it represents not only an excellent example of an early, large scale, 20[th ] Century hillside subdivision, but the earliest of its type within the city of Whittier. Likewise, the site design and engineering solutions used for the construction of many of these hillside homes are unique to College Hills due to the topography of the subdivision.

de changes, and curving hills throughout development, it represents not only an excellent example of an early, large scale, 20[th ] Century hillside subdivision, but the earliest of its type within the city of Whittier. Likewise, the site design and engineering solutions used for the construction of many of these hillside homes are unique to College Hills due to the topography of the subdivision.

College Hills is also particularly representative of a cohesive subdivision in that over ninety-nine percent of the original 1923 lot lines within the tract have remained unchanged. The development also showcases the architectural evolution of homes that have occurred within the city, since 1923. Many of these homes reflect high quality architectural designs and craftsmanship that have been preserved since their construction resulting in the historic integrity of these structures and the lots they were developed on remaining intact.

2.

Architectural Styles. Overall, the homes within the College Hills historic district have maintained their original architectural style, as originally built. Hence, the majority of homes serve as excellent, intact, examples of various architectural styles that have evolved since the 1920's. Many of the architectural styles

found within the College Hills historic district include: Spanish Colonial Revival, Colonial Revival, Mission Revival, Tudor, Provincial Revival, and California Ranch.

3.

Contributing Resources. A contributing resource refers to any structure, object improvement or landscape that adds to the historical, architectural, or cultural significance of a historic district and is consistent with the historic context of that district. A list of contributing resources/properties within the College Hills historic district shall be identified and maintained within the City's Local Official Register of Historic Resources.

4.

Non-Contributing Resources. A non-contributing resource refers to any structure, object, improvement or landscape that does not add to the historical, architectural or cultural significance of a historic district and is inconsistent with the historic context of that district.

(Ord. No. 2926, § 1, 5-26-09)

18.89.030 - Permitted uses.

Land uses permitted in the College Hills historic district shall be those permitted in the underlying zone; provided, the construction or operation of such use is compatible with the requirements of this chapter. In addition to such principal permitted uses, accessory uses permitted by the underlying zoning classification shall also be allowed.

(Ord. No. 2926, § 1, 5-26-09)

18.89.040 - Development standards.

No plan for development, alteration, expansion or construction on properties located in the College Hills historic district shall be approved unless the same complies with all applicable provisions of the Whittier Municipal Code including, but not limited to: Chapter 18.10 (Residential Zones Generally), Chapter 18.16 (R-1 Single-Family Residential Zone); and, Chapter 18.84 (Historic Resources) except as may be modified by the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 2926, § 1, 5-26-09)

18.89.050 - Certificate of appropriateness required.

No person shall perform any work requiring a building permit to demolish, remove, construct, alter, move or change the appearance of any structure without the prior review and approval of a certificate of appropriateness, unless a waiver is granted pursuant to Section 18.84.180 of the Whittier Municipal Code.

(Ord. No. 2926, § 1, 5-26-09)

18.89.060 - Procedures.

A.

An application for a certificate of appropriateness shall be filed in accordance with Section 18.84.160 (Certificate of appropriateness application) of the Whittier Municipal Code.

B.

Procedures for processing a certificate of appropriateness shall be in accordance with Section 18.84.190 (Certificate of appropriateness procedure) of the Whittier Municipal Code.

C.

A certificate of appropriateness waiver may be issued for those repairs and modifications to historic structures and landscaping described within Section 18.84.180 (Certificate of appropriateness wavier) of the Whittier Municipal Code.

(Ord. No. 2926, § 1, 5-26-09)

18.89.070 - Required findings.

Before a certificate of appropriateness is approved, the Historic Resources Commission shall make the findings of fact contained within Section 18.84.200 (Certificate of appropriateness standard findings of fact) of the Whittier Municipal Code.

(Ord. No. 2926, § 1, 5-26-09)

18.89.080 - Validity and expiration of permits.

A Certificate of Appropriateness issued pursuant to this chapter shall be valid for the time period identified within Sections 18.04.110 (Period of validity), 18.04.120 (Modifications of conditions) and 18.04.130 (Finding required for approval of time extensions) of the Whittier Municipal Code.

(Ord. No. 2926, § 1, 5-26-09)

18.89.090 - Demolition and relocation of structures.

A.

Any request for demolition of a designated historic resource, eligible historic resource or contributing resource/structure to the College Hills historic district shall be subject to all applicable provisions contained within Sections 18.84.210 (Certificate of appropriateness demolition findings of fact), 18.84.400 (Demolition of historic resources), 18.84.410 (Demolition of other historical structures), and 18.84.420 (Replacement requirements) of the Whittier Municipal Code.

B.

Prior to the issuance of a certificate of appropriateness for demolition or the physical removal of a structure within the district, the applicant shall provide to the director, at the applicant's sole cost, archival quality photo-documentation of the exterior of the structure to be demolished or removed.

(Ord. No. 2926, § 1, 5-26-09)

18.89.100 - Unsafe or dangerous conditions.

None of the provisions of this chapter shall be construed to apply to any work or demolition necessary to correct or eliminate an immediate hazard or dangerous condition that threatens the public's health, safety or welfare, as determined by the director of community development pursuant to provisions contained within Chapters 8.08 (Property Maintenance) and 15.04 (Building Codes) of the Whittier Municipal Code.

(Ord. No. 2926, § 1, 5-26-09)

18.89.110 - Replacement structures.

A.

No permit to demolish a structure within the historic district boundaries may be issued unless plans for a replacement structure, in accordance with Section 18.84.420 (Replacement requirement) of the Whittier Municipal Code, has been reviewed and approved by the historic resources commission unless:

1.

Demolition is determined to be necessary by the director of community development pursuant to the provisions contained in Section 18.89.100 (Unsafe or dangerous conditions) of this chapter.

B.

An applicant for demolition permits may apply to the historic resources commission for relief from the requirements of this section. The commission may grant relief if it finds that demolition without replacement will not result in an adverse impact to the College Hills historic district.

(Ord. No. 2926, § 1, 5-26-09)

18.89.120 - New structures and move-ons located on vacant and occupied lots.

A.

No structure may be moved into the College Hills historic district without the prior review and approval of a certificate of appropriateness by the historic resources commission.

B.

Any vacant or occupied lot within the College Hills historic district that is developed or re-developed with a new or moved-on structure that is less than fifty years old shall be automatically deemed a noncontributing resource within the College Hills historic district.

C.

When any structure is moved into the College Hills historic district that is over fifty years old, the historic resources commission shall make a recommendation to the city council who shall determine whether or not the structure is to be listed as a contributing or non-contributing resource within the College Hills historic district. The determination shall be made prior to the finalization of any building permits.

D.

Any new structure(s) developed or moved onto a vacant lot within College Hills shall reflect the architectural heritage found within the College Hills historic district and shall not detract from the historic integrity or context of the district. Any new structure(s) developed on an improved lot with an existing residence shall match the architectural style of the primary residence on the property.

E.

Any existing structure proposed to be moved into the College Hills historic district shall be certified by a licensed structural engineer as being free of structural defects and in good repair. The structure shall also be certified by a professional extermination company as having been fumigated for termites within sixty days prior to being moved into the historic district.

(Ord. No. 2926, § 1, 5-26-09)

18.89.130 - Appeals—Effective date and procedures.

The historic resources commission's determination on a project shall become final and effective fifteen days following the decision, unless appealed by any interested party during this period. Appeal procedures shall be followed pursuant to Section 18.84.290 (Appeal procedure) of the Whittier Municipal Code.

(Ord. No. 2926, § 1, 5-26-09)

Division V. - Emergency Procedure Chapter 18.90 - EMERGENCY PROCEDURE

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▸ Contents — Whittier Zoning Code
Whittier Zoning Code
  1. ▸ Title 18 — ZONING
    Overview
    1. § 18.02
    2. § 18.04
    3. § 18.07
    4. § 18.08
    5. § 18.09
    6. § 18.10
    7. § 18.11
    8. § 18.12
    9. § 18.14
    10. § 18.16
    11. § 18.18
    12. § 18.20
    13. § 18.22
    14. § 18.23
    15. § 18.24
    16. § 18.26
    17. § 18.30
    18. § 18.32
    19. § 18.33
    20. § 18.34
    21. § 18.35
    22. § 18.36
    23. § 18.37
    24. § 18.38
    25. § 18.39
    26. § 18.40
    27. § 18.41
    28. § 18.42
    29. § 18.43
    30. § 18.44
    31. § 18.45
    32. Chapter 18.46 — EQUESTRIAN USES
    33. ▸ Chapter 18.62 — NONCONFORMING USES, STRUCTURES AND SITES
      Overview
      1. § 18.64
      2. § 18.66
      3. § 18.67
      4. § 18.68
      5. § 18.72
      6. § 18.73
      7. § 18.75
      8. § 18.76
      9. § 18.78
      10. § 18.80
      11. § 18.84
      12. § 18.86
      13. § 18.87
      14. § 18.88
      15. § 18.89
      16. § 18.90
      17. § 18.92
      18. § 18.93
      19. § 18.94
      20. § 18.96
      21. § 18.98
      22. § 18.99

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