Historic homes in Alhambra: the local rules

Each rule below links to the section of the Alhambra Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Alhambra's code says

Alhambra code What Alhambra's code adds
Changing a historic home	A certificate of appropriateness and Historic Preservation Commission review are required. Applies: Designated historic landmarks; major alterations other than demolition. § 23.23.090 · code text Major alterations, other than demolition, require a C of A and review by the Historic Preservation Commission. A certificate of appropriateness and Director review are required. Applies: Designated historic landmarks; minor alterations. § 23.23.090 · code text Minor alterations require a C of A and review by the Director. A certificate of appropriateness and Historic Preservation Commission review are required. Applies: Eligible individual historic resources; major alterations other than demolition. § 23.23.090 · code text Major alterations, other than demolition, require a C of A and review by the Historic Preservation Commission. A historic resource assessment by a qualified professional is required. Applies: Potentially eligible individual historic resources; major alterations, including demolition. § 23.23.090 · code text Major alterations, including demolition, require a historic resource assessment prepared by a qualified professional as outlined in § 23.23.030. A certificate of appropriateness and Historic Preservation Commission review are required. Applies: Contributing resources in designated historic districts; major alterations, including demolition or a new ancillary structure. § 23.23.090 · code text Major alterations, including demolition or new construction of an ancillary structure, require a C of A and review by the Historic Preservation Commission. A certificate of appropriateness and Director review are required. Applies: Designated historic landmarks; minor alterations. § 23.23.090 · code text Minor alterations require a C of A and review by the Director. A certificate of appropriateness and Director review are required. Applies: Non-contributing resources in designated historic districts; major alterations, including demolition or a new ancillary structure. § 23.23.090 · code text Major alterations, including demolition or new construction of an ancillary structure, require a C of A and review by the Director.
Demolishing an older or historic home	A certificate of demolition, advisory Historic Preservation Commission review and final City Council review are required. Applies: Designated historic landmarks. § 23.23.090 · code text Demolition requires a C of D, advisory review by the Historic Preservation Commission, and final review by City Council. A certificate of demolition and Historic Preservation Commission review are required. Applies: Eligible individual historic resources. § 23.23.090 · code text Demolition requires a C of D and review by the Historic Preservation Commission. Demolition may be delayed for up to 180 days. Applies: Any historic resource not deemed an imminent hazard, during certificate of demolition review. § 23.23.090 · code text For any historic resource not deemed an imminent hazard, the Historic Preservation Commission may delay demolition for a period of up to but not exceeding 180 days.
Work that needs no review	Negligible alterations are exempt from review. Applies: Designated historic landmarks. § 23.23.090 · code text Negligible alterations are exempt from review. Minor and negligible alterations are exempt from review. Applies: Eligible individual historic resources. § 23.23.090 · code text Minor alterations and negligible alterations are exempt from review. Negligible alterations are exempt from review. Applies: Contributing resources in designated historic districts. § 23.23.090 · code text Negligible alterations are exempt from review. Minor and negligible alterations are exempt from review. Applies: Non-contributing resources in designated historic districts. § 23.23.090 · code text Minor alterations and negligible alterations are exempt from review. After filing, no major or minor alteration permits issue until Council decides. Negligible alterations and life safety repairs are exempt. Applies: Eligible individual historic resources or contributors to eligible historic districts, after a designation application is filed. § 23.23.070 · code text Negligible alterations and those changes related to life safety repairs are exempt from the moratorium.
Mills Act tax incentive	Eligible for Mills Act contracts. § 23.23.110 · code text All locally designated historic landmarks, contributing resources in designated historic districts, and properties that are listed in the California or National Registers are qualified historic properties eligible for Mills Act Contracts, pursuant to the provisions of Cal. Gov’t Code §§ 50280 through 50289, Article 12, Chapter 1, Part 1, Title 5.

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Frequently asked questions

What rules apply to a historic home in Alhambra?

Alhambra's code: A certificate of appropriateness and Historic Preservation Commission review are required. (Designated historic landmarks; major alterations other than demolition.) (§ 23.23.090); A certificate of appropriateness and Director review are required. (Designated historic landmarks; minor alterations.) (§ 23.23.090).

Historic homes in Alhambra

What Alhambra's code says

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