Local zoning · Anaheim

Anaheim — Historic Preservation

Q: Can a damaged or destroyed multi‑family building in a historic district be rebuilt?

Yes—within RS-2 and RS-3 zones the code allows reconstruction of legally‑established multiple‑family dwellings in local Historic Districts provided the rebuilt dwelling follows development standards that were applicable on August 26, 2003, does not add units, meets current building codes, and a building permit is filed within the time limits in § 18.56.050 .

Historic Preservation under the Anaheim local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.

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Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes how Anaheim’s zoning code treats historic resources, historic districts, and alterations to designated properties. It focuses on the rules inside the Anaheim Municipal Code (Title 18 Zoning) that trigger special review, design controls, reconstruction rights, and exemptions for properties on local, state, or national registers. Where the ordinance spells out procedures and findings, those sections are cited so you can verify the raw text.

First links to related procedures and standards: see Anaheim’s rules on parking, design review, development standards, overlay districts, ADUs, and the California Building Standards Code.

Key ordinance provisions (plain-English synthesis)

Exterior work on designated historic properties subject to a Mills Act contract is administratively reviewed and may be approved by the Planning and Building Director, but only after specific findings that the work preserves character-defining features and conforms to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and the City’s Historic Preservation Plan Design Guidelines (see § 18.62.100) .
New construction next to historic resources and within Anaheim’s recognized historic districts must meet Historic Adjacency Standards addressing design features, materials, setback, ground-floor expression, and scale so that new work is visually compatible with the resource (see § 18.39.070) .
Certain reconstruction rights exist for damaged or destroyed multiple‑family dwellings located in local historic districts when in RS-2 or RS-3 zones; reconstruction is permitted when the unit count and pre-existing standards are respected and a timely building permit is filed (see § 18.56.050) .
Properties inside Anaheim’s local Historic Districts are explicitly subject to the City’s district-specific vision and design guidance — for example, properties within the Colony are subject to the Anaheim Colony Vision, Principles and Design Guidelines (see § 18.24.020) .
The City’s general development and landscape chapters recognize historic status in rules and exemptions: landscaping chapters exclude properties listed on or eligible for the National Register from some planting/irrigation requirements (see § 18.46.020 .0302) .
Procedural cross-references: exterior alteration review for Mills Act properties may be referred to the Planning Commission per the routine Planning Director review procedures (see § 18.62.100 and § 18.60.080) .

District-by-district breakdown

Notes: Anaheim identifies several underlying zoning districts and overlays in Title 18. Historic-preservation rules are layered on top of normal zoning in specific places; the code uses local district names such as RS-2, RS-3, and various Overlay Zones (for example, the (SABC) Overlay Zone) and Specific Plans. The subsections below summarize where the historic rules shown in the code apply and what they require. Always confirm exact parcel status with Planning — Verify with the jurisdiction.

RS-2 (Residential, two-family / low-density multiple-family)

Purpose / where it applies: low-density multiple-family development; the code treats certain pre-existing multiple‑family buildings in local historic districts specially.
Historic rules to know: Reconstruction of legally-established multiple‑family dwellings destroyed by casualty or disaster is permitted within local Historic Districts in RS-2 so long as reconstruction follows the standards that were in effect on August 26, 2003, does not increase units, conforms with current building codes, and a building permit application is filed within required timeframes (see § 18.56.050) .
Practical guidance: If you own a structure in RS-2 inside a local historic district, document pre‑casualty unit counts and approved plans early; reconstruction rights are time‑sensitive and conditioned on prior status under the code.

RS-3 (Residential, medium-density multiple-family)

Purpose / where it applies: medium-density multi-family. Same special reconstruction allowance as RS-2 when located in local Historic Districts.
Historic rules to know: See the reconstruction rules cited at § 18.56.050 for conditions and time limits on rebuilding after damage or destruction in historic districts .

Local Historic Districts (Citywide Historic Preservation Plan / Anaheim Colony)

Purpose / where it applies: The City defines local Historic Districts via its Citywide Historic Preservation Plan; properties inside those districts are subject to district-specific vision/guidelines.
Typical expectations: Properties within Anaheim’s local Historic Districts are required to follow the applicable district design guidance — for example, The Anaheim Colony Vision, Principles and Design Guidelines — and, for properties within defined areas, the code may impose design controls tied to that plan (see § 18.24.020) .
Development standards and design context: New construction or changes within historic districts must meet the Historic Adjacency Standards (design features, allowed materials, setback/scale rules) summarized at § 18.39.070 .
Practical guidance: Expect mandatory use of character‑defining features and permitted exterior materials lists; the code requires at least three character‑defining features from a single architectural tradition for new buildings inside a historic district (see § 18.39.070 .0702) .

(SABC) Overlay Zone and other overlays touching historic areas

Purpose / where it applies: the (SABC) and other overlay zones add standards or review in specific corridors/areas.
Historic rules to know: When overlay boundaries intersect historic districts, the code requires compliance with the Citywide Historic Preservation Plan and applicable design guidelines (see § 18.24.020 and related overlay implementation text) .
Practical guidance: Overlay review runs in parallel with preservation guidelines; coordinate both the overlay submittal requirements and the historic‑resource review early.

Mills Act properties (historic properties under a Historical Property Preservation Agreement)

Purpose / where it applies: historic properties under a Mills Act contract receive property tax benefits in exchange for preservation obligations.
Review/approval standard: Exterior alterations to Mills Act properties may be approved by the Planning and Building Director, but only after findings that the alteration conforms to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards, preserves character‑defining features, and is consistent with the Citywide Historic Preservation Plan Design Guidelines (see § 18.62.100) .
Procedural note: The Planning and Building Director may refer exterior alteration requests to the Planning Commission under the standard Planning Director review procedures (see § 18.62.100) .

Decision‑relevant table (common quick references)

Topic	What the code requires / permits	Code Reference
Exterior alterations on Mills Act properties	Director may approve only with findings that work follows Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and City design guidelines	§ 18.62.100
Historic Adjacency (setbacks, scale, materials)	New buildings adjacent to historic resources must use ≥3 character‑defining features; materials list; front setback rule (min zone setback or equal to smallest historic setback but not exceed 20 ft); scale limits within 20 ft	§ 18.39.070
Reconstruction of destroyed multiple‑family buildings in historic districts	Allowed in RS-2 and RS-3 under pre‑2003 development standards, same unit count, building permit filed timely	§ 18.56.050
Applicability of Anaheim Colony guidelines	Properties in local Historic Districts are subject to Anaheim Colony Vision & Design Guidelines	§ 18.24.020
Landscaping exemptions for historic properties	Certain landscape chapter requirements do not apply to properties listed on or eligible for the National Register	§ 18.46.020 .0302

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy for work affecting historic resources)

Confirm whether the property is a listed historic resource, contributing to a historic district, subject to a Mills Act contract, or within a City‑designated Historic District (verify with the Planning Department). See § 18.39.070 and Citywide Historic Preservation Plan references .
For Mills Act properties, prepare findings and documentation demonstrating conformance with the United States Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and the Citywide Historic Preservation Plan Design Guidelines; submit via the Planning and Building Department per § 18.62.100 .
If proposing new construction adjacent to a resource or in a historic district, document how the design uses at least three character‑defining features from the same architectural tradition and complies with the material palette and frontage/scale requirements in § 18.39.070 .
If the project is in RS-2 or RS-3 and involves rebuilding after damage, assemble evidence of prior legal unit counts and prior applicable standards to qualify under § 18.56.050; plan on timely building permit filing .
Check overlay or specific‑plan requirements (for example, (SABC) or Anaheim Resort Specific Plan) to determine additional submittal steps; where overlays and historic districts overlap, both sets of rules apply (see § 18.24.040 and related overlay text) .
Coordinate discretionary review timing: Mills Act exterior alteration approvals are subject to Planning Director review and potential referral/permitted appeal paths (see § 18.62.100 and § 18.60.080) .
If proposing an ADU on a historic property, account for the City’s ability to adopt objective standards that prevent adverse impacts on historic resources and check state ADU guidance for interaction with historic preservation laws (see state ADU guidance and local ADU policies) .

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Is the parcel actually on the City’s List of Historic Resources?	Applicability of Historic Adjacency Standards, Anaheim Colony guidelines, Mills Act rules hinge on official designation	Check Planning Department records / Citywide Historic Preservation Plan; Verify with the jurisdiction
Exact subsection for “Historic Significance” definition	Some code snippets use subsection numbering (e.g., “.0407”) without a clear standalone § header in the retrieved materials	Confirm the full section number in the Municipal Code online or with Planning; Not found in retrieved materials
Which design guidelines apply in each local historic district	Each district (e.g., Anaheim Colony) can have its own Vision and Guidelines that change practical requirements	Request the applicable district Design Guidelines from Planning or the Citywide Historic Preservation Plan (see § 18.24.020)
ADU design limits on historic properties	State ADU law allows objective historic‑resource protections but local application varies	Confirm local ADU objective standards and their interplay with historic review; see state ADU guidance for allowable limits
Applicability of landscaping exemptions	Some landscape requirements are exempted for National Register properties but the precise exemption scope matters for projects	Confirm whether the property is listed or determined eligible and how the exemption applies to your project (see § 18.46.020 .0302)

Plain‑English Summary

If your property is listed as a historic resource, lies inside an Anaheim historic district, or is under a Mills Act contract, the zoning code imposes extra design controls, review steps, and special reconstruction rights — for example, Mills Act exterior changes need findings from the Planning Director and new work near historic buildings must match neighborhood character using listed materials and features (see § 18.62.100 and § 18.39.070) .

Source References

Anaheim Municipal Code, § 18.62.100 — Exterior Alterations to Historical Properties under a Mills Act Contract.
Anaheim Municipal Code, § 18.39.070 — Historic Adjacency Standards (design features, materials, setback and scale rules).
Anaheim Municipal Code, § 18.56.050 — Nonconforming multiple‑family dwellings: reconstruction rules in local Historic Districts (RS-2/RS-3).
Anaheim Municipal Code, § 18.24.020 — Overlay / Specific Plan implementation and Anaheim Colony Vision / Guidelines applicability.
Anaheim Municipal Code, § 18.46.020 .0302 — Landscape chapter exemptions for properties listed on or eligible for the National Register.
Planning procedures referenced in code (Planning Director reviews / potential referral to Planning Commission): § 18.60.080 (see cross‑references in § 18.62.100)
State guidance on ADUs and historic resources (useful for projects proposing ADUs on historic sites): 2025 California ADU guidance (uploaded file) — summary on allowable local objective standards and protections for historic resources.

Internal pages referenced earlier in text (first occurrence hyperlinks):

Anaheim zoning & planning overview: /us/california/anaheim
Anaheim Zoning: /us/california/anaheim/zoning
Anaheim Development Standards: /us/california/anaheim/development-standards
Anaheim Parking: /us/california/anaheim/parking
Anaheim Design Review: /us/california/anaheim/design-review
Anaheim Overlay Districts: /us/california/anaheim/overlay-districts
Anaheim ADUs: /us/california/anaheim/adu
California Building Standards Code: /us/california/building-codes

Sources

Retrieved passages

CBC § 6 (§ 6) High relevance
CBC § 1 (Section 18.60.190) High relevance
Anaheim Zoning Code (§ 23) High relevance
CBC § 7060 (Chapter 12.75) Medium relevance
Anaheim Zoning Code (Section 18.44.100) Medium relevance
CBC § 6 (section are) Medium relevance
CBC § 1 (Chapter 18.72) Medium relevance
CBC § 2 (Chapter 18.72) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official Anaheim code library

Frequently asked questions

What triggers historic‑resource review in Anaheim?

Historic review is triggered when a property is listed as a City, State or National historic resource, when it contributes to an Anaheim local Historic District, or when it’s subject to a Mills Act contract; those conditions bring the property under local design guidance and special procedures such as those described in § 18.62.100 and § 18.39.070 .

Do Mills Act properties need Planning review for exterior work?

Yes. Exterior alterations to Mills Act properties require review and may be approved by the Planning and Building Director only after findings that the work conforms to Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and the Citywide Historic Preservation Plan Design Guidelines; referrals to the Planning Commission are allowed per the review procedures in § 18.62.100 .

What design controls apply when I build next to a historic house?

When a new building shares a property line or is within 20 feet of a historic resource, Anaheim’s Historic Adjacency Standards require use of character‑defining features (at least three from a single tradition), a specified materials palette, frontage/ground‑floor alignment, and setbacks/scale limits; see § 18.39.070 for the exact standards and measurements .

Can a damaged or destroyed multi‑family building in a historic district be rebuilt?

Yes—within RS-2 and RS-3 zones the code allows reconstruction of legally‑established multiple‑family dwellings in local Historic Districts provided the rebuilt dwelling follows development standards that were applicable on August 26, 2003, does not add units, meets current building codes, and a building permit is filed within the time limits in § 18.56.050 .

Are historic properties exempt from landscaping or other development standards?

Some landscape requirements do not apply to properties listed on, or determined eligible for, the National Register — see the landscaping exemptions in § 18.46.020 .0302. For other development standards, the code applies district‑level design guidance and explicit historic standards rather than blanket exemptions (verify with Planning) .

Can I add an ADU to a house in a historic district in Anaheim?

State ADU law allows ADUs in historic districts, but local governments may adopt objective development standards to prevent adverse impacts on historic resources. Confirm Anaheim’s ADU objective standards and any required preservation review; see state ADU guidance and local ADU policies for the allowable scope of local standards .

Which design guidelines will the City apply in a given historic district?

The code points to district‑specific guidance (for example, the Anaheim Colony Vision, Principles and Design Guidelines). The applicable guideline depends on which local Historic District the parcel sits in; confirm the correct district plan with Planning (see § 18.24.020) .

Who makes the final decision on an exterior alteration to a historic (Mills Act) property?

The Planning and Building Director is the primary approving authority for exterior alterations to Mills Act properties, though the Director may refer a project to the Planning Commission and decisions can be appealed per the required procedures tied into § 18.62.100 and referenced Planning procedures .

What materials are allowed for new buildings in a historic district?

Anaheim’s code lists acceptable exterior finish materials for buildings in Historic Districts (examples include stucco, brick, wood siding, tile, stone, GFRC, etc.). See the materials list and related limitations in § 18.39.070 .0703 for the City’s permitted palette .

If my property is in an overlay zone and a historic district, which rules win?

Both sets of rules apply; the overlay implementation language requires compliance with the Citywide Historic Preservation Plan and specific overlay procedures. When in doubt, the overlay or specific plan chapter will identify how conflicts are resolved; see § 18.24.040 and applicable overlay language and verify with Planning .

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