Local zoning · Arcadia
Arcadia — Historic Preservation
Historic Preservation under the Arcadia local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.
Last reviewed: July 3, 2026
Overview
Arcadia's Historic Preservation Chapter (the Arcadia Historic Preservation Ordinance) creates a citywide regulatory framework for identifying, designating, and managing historic landmarks and historic districts. The rules require review (Certificates of Appropriateness or Demolition), establish local designation criteria and procedures, provide incentives (including Mills Act contracts), and create enforcement and maintenance duties for owners. See the ordinance for full procedural text; the provisions apply across all base zones and overlays in the Development Code § 9103.17.010–§ 9103.17.030 .
How this page is scoped
This page describes only what Arcadia's zoning / planning ordinance (Article IX / Development Code) says about historic preservation—what triggers review, designation criteria, review paths, incentives, moratoria, and how preservation overlays interact with the City's zones. It does not cover Title 24 / structural building-code compliance, general permitting process beyond what the Preservation Chapter requires, or tenant/housing law.
Key rules and where they live (short list)
- Historic preservation is citywide in scope — applies to buildings, structures, objects, sites, and districts § 9103.17.030 .
- Local eligibility / designation criteria (landmarks and districts) — age, significance, integrity, and a 60% contributor threshold for districts § 9103.17.060 .
- Certificate of Appropriateness (C of A) required for major and minor alterations that may adversely affect designated resources; staff or Commission review depending on level of work § 9103.17.080 .
- Moratorium on alteration/demolition permits while nomination is pending § 9103.17.070(E) .
- Mills Act eligibility and process; City may cap participation and sets application procedures § 9103.17.100 .
- Certificate of Demolition requirements (full evaluation for structures 50+ years) and demolition review procedures cross-referenced to Site Plan & Design Review and Certificates of Demolition § 9103.17.080(J), Definitions (Certificate of Demolition) and § 9107.07 .
(You will find these provisions collected under the Historic Preservation Chapter headings in the Arcadia Development Code; source citations are in the Source References section below.)
District-by-district breakdown (how the Preservation Chapter sits on Arcadia's zones)
Note: Arcadia's Historic Preservation Chapter is citywide — it applies to historic resources in every base zone and overlay. Below each district summary I show the district purpose and typical dimensional touchpoints you will see in the Development Code so you can interpret how preservation review interacts with local standards. Wherever the Preservation Chapter requires design review, it refers projects into the normal Arcadia Design Review or to specific design-review procedures in Article IX § 9103.17.080 . For the zoning map and list of zones see Table 1-1 in the Development Code § 9101.03 .
R-M (Residential Mountainous)
- Purpose: estate-type detached single-family lots; intended for hillside/valley residential uses § 9102.01.010(A) .
- Typical permitted uses: detached single-family dwellings and compatible accessory uses; ADUs allowed subject to ADU rules § 9102.01 .
- Key dimensional standards to check when proposing work on a historic resource: front/side/rear setbacks and maximum height in R‑M (see Tables and Subsections under Division 2) — these interact with preservation review when additions or infill are proposed § 9102.01 .
- Preservation interaction: any major or visible alteration on a designated resource or contributing property needs a C of A; infill or demolition triggers design review § 9103.17.080 .
R-0 (Very Low Density Residential)
- Purpose: large single-family lots and accessory uses § 9102.01.010(B) .
- Typical uses/dimensions: larger front setbacks (often 35 ft or more in specific tracts), 10 ft side/rear in many standards; HOA-specific FAR caps may apply § 9102.01.040 & Table 2-3 .
- Preservation interaction: the Chapter’s moratoriums, COA requirements, and review levels apply the same as citywide; lot-splitting and urban lot split rules notably bar splits of historic properties or those in historic districts without additional approvals § 9103.17.030; § 9101.04.040 (urban lot split exceptions referencing historic properties) .
R-1 (Low Density Residential)
- Purpose & uses: typical single-family residential zone; accessory dwellings regulated in Subsection 9102.01.080 § 9102.01 .
- Dimensional highlights: common front setback minimums (25 ft for many R‑1 tracts), height and lot coverage standards (see Division 2 tables) § 9102.01.040 & Table 2-3 .
- Preservation interaction: ADUs can be built in a historic district but may be subject to standards that avoid adverse impacts to historic resources; verification with local staff is recommended § 9103.17 (preservation) and cross-reference to ADU allowances .
R-2 / R-3 / R-3-R (Multifamily Residential Zones)
- Purpose: medium- to high-density residential uses; specific density, open space and height limits apply § 9102.01.010 & 9102.01.100 .
- Preservation interaction: multifamily schemes inside historic districts (or involving designated landmarks) that propose additions, demolition, or infill will be routed to design review and C of A if they affect contributing resources § 9103.17.080(C–J) .
C-O, C-G, C-M, C-R, CBD (Commercial Zones)
- Purpose: professional office, general commercial, commercial-manufacturing, regional commercial, and central business district respectively § 9101.03 Table 1-1 .
- Typical uses: retail, services, offices; dimensional rules (setbacks, FAR, ground-floor height in commercial zones) are in Division 2 and 3 § 9102.03 & Table 2-x .
- Preservation interaction: commercial buildings listed or within historic districts may qualify for adaptive reuse incentives (parking modification, State Historic Building Code flexibility) but still require C of A for exterior work and Certificates of Demolition for demolitions § 9103.17.100(B) & § 9103.17.080(J) . Adaptive reuse may change how Arcadia Parking requirements are applied in some cases.
DMU, MU, Downtown overlays and design overlays
- Purpose: mixed-use districts and downtown-specific controls; overlays add supplemental rules (design, height, parking overlays) § 9101.03 & Division 4 .
- Preservation interaction: where an overlay applies (for example a design overlay), preservation review must be reconciled with overlay standards and the Code’s design-review procedures (design review referrals and design guidelines) § 9101.03; § 9103.17.080(I–K) . See Arcadia Overlay Districts for overlay context.
M-1, PF, OS-OR, OS-RP, S-1 and other special zones
- Purpose: industrial, public facilities, open space/recreation, resource protection, and special racetrack uses § 9101.03 Table 1-1; Division 2 .
- Preservation interaction: public/institutional properties (PF) and special uses listed on the State/National Registers may be automatically considered designated and thus subject to the Preservation Chapter, including Mills Act eligibility and C of A requirements § 9103.17.060(B) & § 9103.17.040 .
Practical note: the Development Code's review authority table assigns Certificates of Demolition, Site Plan and Design Review, and C of A to specific decision-makers (Director, Commission, Council) — check Table 7-1/7-3 to see whether a proposed preservation project is a staff-level or Commission decision § 9107 & Table 7-1 .
Decision‑relevant standards (quick reference table)
| Rule / Trigger | What it means in practice | Code Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Citywide applicability | The Preservation Chapter applies to all historic resources (buildings, structures, objects, sites, districts) within Arcadia | § 9103.17.030 |
| Local designation criteria | Landmark criteria (events, persons, architecture, information potential), district requires ≥60% contributors; 45‑year age threshold (unless exceptional) | § 9103.17.060 |
| Certificate of Appropriateness required | C of A required for major and minor alterations affecting designated resources; staff or Commission review depending on level | § 9103.17.080(B–H) |
| Moratorium on permits while nomination pending | No alteration/demolition permits for an individually-eligible resource or contributor after nomination is submitted until decision | § 9103.17.070(E) |
| Certificate of Demolition (50+ yrs) | Full historical evaluation required for demolition permits for buildings 50+ years old; review per Certificate of Demolition procedures | Definition and cross-ref § 9103.17.160; see § 9107.07 |
| Mills Act eligibility | Individually designated landmarks, contributing resources in districts, or NR/CRHP-listed properties eligible; 10‑year minimum contract, Secretary’s standards apply | § 9103.17.100 |
| Appeals | Owners/applicants may appeal staff or Commission decisions per appeals procedures in Article IX | § 9103.17.110; § 9108.07 |
Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy for exterior work or designation)
- Confirm whether the property is listed or eligible in the Arcadia Register, California Register, or National Register (automatic considerations apply) § 9103.17.060(B)
- If proposing exterior work, determine alteration level: negligible / minor / major per definitions § 9103.17.080(C–E)
- If not negligible, prepare and file a Certificate of Appropriateness application with required materials including a Standards compliance report by a qualified preservation consultant § 9103.17.080(F)
- If nominating a landmark/district: assemble a historic resource evaluation (individual) or a historic resources survey (district), pay fees, and secure required owner consent (individual owner consent or 75% owner consent for districts) § 9103.17.070(A–D)
- Expect a moratorium on permits for the subject property while the nomination is pending § 9103.17.070(E)
- For demolitions: prepare the Certificate of Demolition evaluation (50+ years triggers) and follow Certificate of Demolition procedures (definitions & § 9107.07)
- If seeking tax incentives: prepare Mills Act application and rehabilitation plan; submit by the City deadline and follow the program rules § 9103.17.100
- If adaptive reuse or change of use affects parking, consult Arcadia Parking and the preservation Chapter’s parking provisions and exemptions § 9103.17.100(B)
- Coordinate with applicable Arcadia Design Review, Arcadia Development Standards, and applicable Arcadia Overlay Districts requirements; preservation review may require design-review referrals § 9103.17.080; Table 7-1
Risks & Ambiguities
| Issue | Why it matters | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Is the property already designated? | Designation changes review triggers (C of A) and Mills Act eligibility | Check Arcadia Register and confirm with Planning staff; city code treats NR/CRHP listings as automatically considered § 9103.17.060(B) |
| Does a proposed ADU materially affect historic significance? | ADU approvals are allowed but the City may apply standards to prevent adverse impacts to historic resources | Verify applicable ADU standards vs. preservation rules and consult staff; ADU allowance is not barred by preservation but may require C of A (ADU cross-references) |
| Owner consent for a district nomination | District nominations require written consent of 75% of owners (and 100% of contributing resource owners) — absence of consent can stop a nomination | Confirm owner consents early; statute in code is strict § 9103.17.070(D) |
| Which review body (staff vs Commission) will decide? | Appeals, noticing, CEQA implications and timing hinge on the decision-maker | Check the Review Authority tables (Table 7‑1) and the C of A subrules in § 9103.17.080(B)–(H) § 9107; § 9103.17.080 |
| Demolition timing and CEQA | Demolition approvals of designated resources are discretionary and CEQA applies; delays are possible (180‑day withholding to seek alternatives) | Anticipate CEQA review and possible 180‑day holds § 9103.17.080(I)(5) |
| Overlap of overlay design rules | Overlays (Design, Downtown, Height, etc.) can add or override standards, affecting what design changes are “appropriate” | Verify overlay map status for the parcel and reconcile overlay requirements with C of A review Table 1‑1 and Overlay sections |
Plain-English Summary
Arcadia requires that visible changes to designated historic landmarks or contributing properties in designated historic districts get reviewed through a Certificate of Appropriateness process; nominations trigger a temporary moratorium on permits, district nominations require strong owner consent, demolition needs special evaluation, and owners can pursue incentives like Mills Act contracts if eligible. For any proposed exterior work start by confirming designation status, classify the alteration (negligible/minor/major), and coordinate a C of A with Planning staff or the Commission § 9103.17.030–§ 9103.17.110 .
Source References
- Arcadia Development Code — Historic Preservation Chapter (Article IX, Section 9103.17): Title, Purpose, Applicability, Commission role § 9103.17.010–§ 9103.17.040
- Local Eligibility and Designation Criteria — Historic Landmark & District eligibility, age and integrity thresholds § 9103.17.060
- Designation Procedures, Owner Consent, Moratorium on permits § 9103.17.070
- Alterations, Certificate of Appropriateness, review levels, demolition rules § 9103.17.080
- Certificates of Economic Hardship § 9103.17.090
- Incentives / Mills Act Property Tax Abatement Program § 9103.17.100
- Appeals, maintenance duties, enforcement § 9103.17.110–§ 9103.17.150
- Definitions relevant to preservation (Certificate of Demolition, contributing/non-contributing resource, character-defining features) § 9103.17.160
- Zones, zone descriptions, and development‑standards tables (R‑zones, commercial, overlays) — Table 1‑1 and Division 2 (Zones) § 9101.03 & § 9102.01
- Review Authority tables and Site Plan & Design Review references (how preservation review is routed) — Table 7‑1 and 9107.19 Table 7‑1; § 9107
If you need direct ordinance text or the exact page location for any of the cited sections above, I can extract the ordinance snippet and include the raw text location for your parcel-specific questions. Verify parcel-specific constraints with Planning staff.
Sources
Retrieved passages
- Arcadia Zoning Code (Section 9103.17.060) High relevance
- Arcadia Zoning Code (Section 9107.19) High relevance
- Arcadia Zoning Code (Chapter shall) High relevance
- Arcadia Zoning Code (Section 9107.19) High relevance
- Arcadia Zoning Code (Chapter include) High relevance
- Arcadia Zoning Code (Section 9103.17.060) High relevance
- Arcadia Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance
- Arcadia Zoning Code (Section A.2) High relevance
- Arcadia Zoning Code (Section 9103.17.80) High relevance
- Arcadia Zoning Code (Section 9103.17.060) Medium relevance
- Arcadia Zoning Code (Section 9107.19) Medium relevance
- Arcadia Zoning Code (§ 65915) Medium relevance
- CBC § 3 (Section 9103.07) Medium relevance
- Arcadia Zoning Code (§ 4) Medium relevance
- Arcadia Zoning Code Medium relevance
- Arcadia Zoning Code (Section 9108.07) Medium relevance
- Arcadia Zoning Code (Chapter shall) High relevance
- Arcadia Zoning Code (Section 9107.07) High relevance
- Arcadia Zoning Code (Section 9103.17.060) High relevance
Cited sections
- Arcadia Development Code — Historic Preservation Chapter (Article IX, Section 9103.17): Title, Purpose, Applicability, Commission role **§ 9103.17.010–§ 9103.17.040** (Article IX)
- Local Eligibility and Designation Criteria — Historic Landmark & District eligibility, age and integrity thresholds **§ 9103.17.060** (§ 9103.17.060)
- Designation Procedures, Owner Consent, Moratorium on permits **§ 9103.17.070** (§ 9103.17.070)
- Alterations, Certificate of Appropriateness, review levels, demolition rules **§ 9103.17.080** (§ 9103.17.080)
- Certificates of Economic Hardship **§ 9103.17.090** (§ 9103.17.090)
- Incentives / Mills Act Property Tax Abatement Program **§ 9103.17.100** (§ 9103.17.100)
- Appeals, maintenance duties, enforcement **§ 9103.17.110–§ 9103.17.150** (§ 9103.17.110)
- Definitions relevant to preservation (Certificate of Demolition, contributing/non-contributing resource, character-defining features) **§ 9103.17.160** (§ 9103.17.160)
- Zones, zone descriptions, and development‑standards tables (R‑zones, commercial, overlays) — Table 1‑1 and Division 2 (Zones) **§ 9101.03 & § 9102.01** (§ 9101.03)
- Review Authority tables and Site Plan & Design Review references (how preservation review is routed) — Table 7‑1 and 9107.19 **Table 7‑1; § 9107** (§ 9107)
- Arcadia_ZoningCode.md
- 2025 California ADU handbook.md
Frequently asked questions
What makes a property eligible to be a local historic landmark in Arcadia?
A property must meet one or more local criteria: important events, association with important persons, distinct architectural/constructive characteristics (or masterwork), or yield important historic/prehistory information — and must also meet at least one of the secondary requirements (listed on the National/California Registers or be "iconic"). Typically a resource should be at least 45 years old unless exceptionally important § 9103.17.060 .
If I submit a nomination, can I still get a permit to alter or demolish the building?
No — once an application for designation is submitted, Arcadia imposes a moratorium on alteration and demolition permits for that eligible resource or district contributor until the Council decides on the designation § 9103.17.070(E) .
Do I need a Certificate of Appropriateness for replacing windows or reroofing?
It depends on the classification: many ordinary maintenance and repair items and some replacements that match original features are considered "negligible" and may be exempt; but replacement windows that materially alter character-defining exterior features or visible street‑facing façade changes can require a C of A (minor or major). Check the definitions of negligible/minor/major alterations § 9103.17.080(C–E) .
Are historic properties eligible for any incentives in Arcadia?
Yes. Arcadia administers a Mills Act Property Tax Abatement Program and may apply other incentives (e.g., use of the California State Historic Building Code, parking modifications for adaptive reuse). Mills Act participation has application, reporting, and inspection requirements and the City may cap the program § 9103.17.100 .
If my property is inside an HOA area, how does design review work for a historic district?
Properties within designated HOAs are not subject to the City's design review process in the same way: HOAs must apply the City’s Design Guidelines and the HOA’s enabling resolution, and then forward recommendations to the Commission/City staff; however, the City has final approval authority § 9103.17.080(B)(2)(a) .
Can a historic district designation be rescinded later if circumstances change?
A designation may only be rescinded if the evidence used to establish it was erroneous or the resource no longer meets the criteria; neglect alone does not remove designation. Rescission is a discretionary action subject to CEQA § 9103.17.070(H) .
What happens if someone illegally demolishes a designated historic resource?
Alteration or demolition in violation of the Chapter is a nuisance; the City can abate, issue a temporary moratorium on development (up to 24 months), and pursue injunctive relief or restoration/reconstruction measures. Penalties and enforcement remedies are provided § 9103.17.080(B–C); § 9103.17.150 .
Can I build an ADU on a property that is a designated historic landmark or in a historic district?
Yes—ADUs are allowed in historic districts and on historic properties, but the City may impose objective standards to prevent adverse impacts to historic resources; such ADU proposals may still require a C of A or design review if they affect character-defining features cross-reference: ADU allowances and preservation rules .
Who decides whether my C of A is approved?
Certificates of Appropriateness are reviewed either by City staff (administrative) or by the Planning Commission (public hearing) depending on the type of work; outcomes are appealable per the appeals procedure in Article IX § 9103.17.080(B–H); § 9103.17.110 .
If my building is listed on the National Register, is it automatically protected locally?
Any property individually listed in the National Register or California Register "shall be automatically considered designated historic resource" for Arcadia purposes, which brings it within the local review and permit restrictions § 9103.17.060(B) .
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