Local zoning · Cerritos
Cerritos — Historic Preservation
Historic Preservation under the Cerritos local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.
Last reviewed: July 3, 2026
Overview
Cerritos’ published development code does not contain a standalone historic-preservation chapter or a local “landmark” / local historic-district designation procedure in the retrieved ordinance materials. The code does, however, (1) allow scenic, historic and cultural centers and corridors as a permitted use in the OS (Open Space) zone and (2) applies the city’s general design-review and precise-plan controls (which are the usual local tools used to manage changes affecting potentially historic places). See § 22.30.100, § 22.30.300, and § 23.90.240 for the primary provisions found in the retrieved materials .
Because there is no dedicated local historic resources chapter in the retrieved code, applicants and homeowners should treat historic-preservation questions as a combination of (A) land‑use/zone‑specific permitted‑use review, (B) design review / precise‑plan requirements, and (C) state historic-code rules (California Historical Building Code) when a resource has official historic status. The state historical code applies to “qualified historical buildings or properties” (California level) and is summarized in the retrieved CHBC material .
How this page uses Cerritos rules and other materials
- Local zoning/land‑use citations below come from Cerritos development code excerpts in the provided materials (see the Source References list). Where the local code is silent on landmark/district procedures, the page states “Not found in retrieved materials.” For state-level building rules for historic structures the CHBC file is cited .
- Practical guidance synthesizes the specific local citations with the general design-review and overlay rules the city uses (see links to Cerritos Zoning, Design Review, Overlay Districts, and related pages).
District-by-district breakdown (where historic‑preservation language appears)
Note: below each district name is bolded and the controlling code citations are shown. Hyperlinks are placed on the first natural mention of related topics used elsewhere on this page.
OS — Open Space (Code citations: § 22.30.100, § 22.30.300)
- Purpose (what the zone is for): The OS zone is intended to provide for the “continuation, development, protection and preservation of public and quasi-public open spaces” and to shape the urban form consistent with the general plan (§ 22.30.100) .
- Typical permitted uses relevant to historic preservation: scenic, historic and cultural centers and corridors are explicitly listed among permitted uses in § 22.30.300; museums and public service/community facilities are also listed and can be the vehicle for preserving historic resources .
- Dimensional / process notes: Uses in OS that require new construction typically must be processed via a precise plan or public project referral so the city can confirm purpose and location criteria are met (§ 22.30.300) .
- Where it applies: OS applies to mapped open-space parcels shown on the development map and to properties subject to area development plans where specified (see the city’s Land Use and Overlay Districts rules) .
ADP-5.1 — ADP-5.1 (Cerritos Auto Square Overlay Zone) (Code citations: § 22.61.010, § 22.61.020, § 22.61.070 – § 22.61.120)
- Purpose: The ADP-5.1 overlay is an area development plan / overlay that tailors uses and standards for the Auto Square; overlay areas replace underlying zone provisions when an ADP application is approved (§ 22.61.020, § 22.61.040) .
- Historic‑preservation relevance: The ADP texts emphasize coordinated design, architectural compatibility and the ability to impose precise-plan-level conditions — tools an applicant must expect to use when a proposed project affects a scenic, historic or cultural corridor within an overlay area (§ 22.61.070, § 22.61.110) .
- Where it applies: to defined Studebaker/Artesia/I‑605 adjacency areas shown on the ADP map; a property only becomes ADP‑regulated when an applicant obtains the overlay designation per the code (§ 22.61.040) .
Citywide design‑control tools that affect historic resources (applies across districts)
- Design review / Precise plans: The city’s precise‑plan and design‑review framework lets the director, planning commission or city council request design‑professional review; design review is the standard route for controlling architectural compatibility and historic‑resource impacts (§ 23.90.220, § 23.90.230, § 23.90.240) .
- Land use zones (general): The general land‑use zone provisions set the baseline: Chapters 22.20–22.39 define the underlying zones and their permitted uses; any historic‑resource treatment that requires change of use or new construction will be judged against those standards (§ 22.20.010, § 22.20.030) .
- Definitions and review committees: the code defines a Design Review Committee and the scope of architectural/design review that is routinely applied to precise plans and large remodels (see definitions under code definitions and design-review sections; e.g., § 20.30.262, § 23.90.240) .
Quick decision‑relevant table
| Issue / Use | Rule or standard (short) | Code Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Allowing a scenic, historic or cultural center in an open-space parcel | Permitted (subject to precise plan / project referral) | § 22.30.300 |
| Requiring design review for a precise plan or major exterior change | Director/Planning Commission/City Council may refer to a design review committee; committee decisions are advisory; design review is applied to precise plans (design quality evaluated) | § 23.90.240 |
| Use of an overlay (ADP) to change underlying zone regulations | ADP provisions replace underlying provisions when overlay application is approved; ADP may impose its own standards and approvals | § 22.61.040, § 22.61.070 |
| Site‑level preservation / maintenance expectations (precise plans, ADPs) | Approvals often conditioned on preservation/maintenance of common areas and adherence to original design | See area development plan provisions (e.g., § 22.15.260 and ADP maintenance standards) |
| Application of the State Historical Building Code (when structure is qualified) | State CHBC provides alternative code solutions for qualified historic buildings | California Historical Building Code (CHBC), e.g., 8‑101.2 (see CHBC summary) |
Checklist — what an applicant must satisfy (practical, stepwise)
- Confirm whether the parcel is zoned OS, inside an ADP overlay, or another mapped zone; check the development map and zone designation (Verify with the jurisdiction). See Cerritos Zoning.
- If the project is in OS and proposes a scenic/historic center use, prepare a precise plan or public project referral per § 22.30.300 .
- Prepare full design materials; expect review under the city’s design review process and possible referral to the design-review committee per § 23.90.240 . See Cerritos Design Review.
- If within an overlay (e.g., ADP‑5.1), confirm overlay eligibility and follow the ADP’s use‑approval criteria and precise‑plan standards (§ 22.61.040, § 22.61.070) . See Cerritos Overlay Districts.
- Confirm parking and access impacts and prepare a parking plan per city parking standards; historic uses do not automatically waive parking — check Cerritos Parking and development‑standards rules. Verify with the jurisdiction.
- If the property is or becomes a “qualified historical building or property” (state or federal listing), confirm whether the California Historical Building Code applies and whether CHBC solutions are appropriate (see CHBC summary) . Also consult the city for any local guidance.
- For any demolition or major alteration, verify any notification, precise‑plan or public‑hearing requirements and whether additional mitigation (e.g., documentation, selective demolition) will be required under CEQA or local development conditions. Verify with the jurisdiction.
Risks & Ambiguities
| Issue | Why it matters | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| No local “landmark” or local historic‑district procedure found | If the city has no local register, there may be no formal local designation route; preservation relies on general design controls and state/federal listing | Confirm with the City of Cerritos planning department whether a local landmarks ordinance exists beyond the retrieved code. Not found in retrieved materials |
| Whether ADPs override underlying rules for a parcel | ADP designation changes what rules apply; failing to confirm leads to using wrong standards in your submission | Verify whether the property is subject to ADP-5.1 or other ADP and whether the overlay was activated for the parcel (§ 22.61.040) |
| Design review outcomes are often advisory (committee) but binding as a condition | Design-review committee decisions are advisory, but the approving authority conditions precise plans on design findings — impacts approvals and timelines | Expect referrals under § 23.90.240; confirm which approving body will make the final decision (director vs commission vs council) |
| State CHBC applicability vs local historic policy | CHBC gives alternative code paths for listed/qualified historic structures, but application requires a qualified historic designation | Confirm whether the structure is “qualified” for CHBC treatment and whether the local enforcing agency will apply CHBC standards (CHBC guidance) |
| ADU work on properties with historic characteristics | ADU rules interact with preservation. State ADU law permits objective standards to prevent adverse impacts on historic properties | If you plan an ADU on a historic property, review local ADU rules and state ADU law; local objective standards may be applied (see Cerritos ADUs and state ADU guidance). Verify with jurisdiction. Not found in retrieved materials for a local historic‑ADU procedure |
Information Gaps (what was NOT found in the retrieved materials)
- A citywide local historic‑landmark designation procedure (application, criteria, commission role): Not found in retrieved materials. Verify with the City of Cerritos planning division.
- A Cerroitos municipal “historic preservation” chapter or local register of historic places: Not found in retrieved materials.
- Specific demolition‑delay ordinance for historic resources at the city level: Not found in retrieved materials.
- Explicit local limits or special standards that automatically apply to ADUs on historically designated properties in Cerritos: Not found in retrieved materials (state ADU guidance exists but local implementing text not located) .
Plain‑English summary (homeowner)
Cerritos’ code does not appear to contain a stand‑alone local historic‑preservation law or local landmark list in the materials you provided — instead, historic uses and places are handled through the existing zone rules (the OS zone expressly allows “scenic, historic and cultural centers”), area development plan overlays, and the city’s design‑review/precise‑plan process; state rules (the California Historical Building Code) apply if a building qualifies as historic. For any potential historic work, verify the parcel’s zone/overlay and expect design review and precise‑plan requirements; also confirm with the city whether a local landmark program exists because that was not in the retrieved materials .
Source References
- Cerritos municipal development code excerpts (zoning, OS zone permitted uses): § 22.30.100, § 22.30.300
- Cerritos design review / precise plan text: § 23.90.220, § 23.90.230, § 23.90.240
- ADP‑5.1 (Cerritos Auto Square overlay) — overlay purpose, eligibility, use approvals: § 22.61.010, § 22.61.020, § 22.61.040, § 22.61.070, § 22.61.080, § 22.61.110
- General land‑use / zone purpose (Ch. 22.20): § 22.20.010, § 22.20.030
- Definitions and design‑review committee references (definitions chapter): § 20.30.262 (Design Review Committee definition)
- California Historical Building Code (state guidance on qualified historic buildings and code alternative): CHBC summary (e.g., 8‑101.2, definitions)
Related internal guidance pages you may need (first natural mention of each term is linked here):
- Cerritos zoning & planning overview — general starting page.
- Cerritos Zoning — to confirm parcel zoning.
- Cerritos Land Use — to check applicable land‑use categories.
- Cerritos Development Standards — for setbacks, lot coverage and other dimensional rules.
- Cerritos Parking — parking expectations for reuse or museum conversions.
- Cerritos Design Review — process for architecture and compatibility review.
- Cerritos Overlay Districts — to confirm ADP coverage (e.g., ADP‑5.1).
- Cerritos ADUs — if adding an accessory unit on a property with historic features.
- California Building Standards Code / CHBC reference: California Building Standards Code — state building code resources relevant to historic buildings.
Sources
Retrieved passages
- Cerritos Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance
- Cerritos Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance
- Cerritos Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance
- Cerritos Zoning Code (§ 65915) Medium relevance
- Cerritos Zoning Code (section continues) Medium relevance
- Cerritos Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance
- Cerritos Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance
- Cerritos Zoning Code (chapter shall) Medium relevance
- Cerritos Zoning Code (Chapter 22.48.) Medium relevance
- Cerritos Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance
- CBC § 8 (Section 8-1001) Medium relevance
- Cerritos Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance
- Cerritos Zoning Code (Chapter 22.61) Medium relevance
- Cerritos Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance
Cited sections
- Cerritos municipal development code excerpts (zoning, OS zone permitted uses): **§ 22.30.100**, **§ 22.30.300** (§ 22.30.100)
- Cerritos design review / precise plan text: **§ 23.90.220**, **§ 23.90.230**, **§ 23.90.240** (§ 23.90.220)
- ADP‑5.1 (Cerritos Auto Square overlay) — overlay purpose, eligibility, use approvals: **§ 22.61.010**, **§ 22.61.020**, **§ 22.61.040**, **§ 22.61.070**, **§ 22.61.080**, **§ 22.61.110** (§ 22.61.010)
- General land‑use / zone purpose (Ch. 22.20): **§ 22.20.010**, **§ 22.20.030** (§ 22.20.010)
- Definitions and design‑review committee references (definitions chapter): **§ 20.30.262** (Design Review Committee definition) (§ 20.30.262)
- California Historical Building Code (state guidance on qualified historic buildings and code alternative): CHBC summary (e.g., **8‑101.2**, definitions)
- Cerritos zoning & planning overview — general starting page.
- Cerritos Zoning — to confirm parcel zoning.
- Cerritos Land Use — to check applicable land‑use categories.
- Cerritos Development Standards — for setbacks, lot coverage and other dimensional rules.
- Cerritos Parking — parking expectations for reuse or museum conversions.
- Cerritos Design Review — process for architecture and compatibility review.
- Cerritos Overlay Districts — to confirm ADP coverage (e.g., **ADP‑5.1**).
- Cerritos ADUs — if adding an accessory unit on a property with historic features.
- California Building Standards Code / CHBC reference: California Building Standards Code — state building code resources relevant to historic buildings.
- Cerritos_ZoningCode.md
- 2025 California Historical Building Code.md
- 2025 California ADU handbook.md
Frequently asked questions
Is there a local Cerritos “historic landmark” designation process?
Not found in retrieved materials. The provided Cerritos development code excerpts do not include a local landmark or historic‑district designation procedure; verify with the City of Cerritos planning department and request any historic‑preservation policy or register the city maintains (Not found in retrieved materials) .
Can I reuse a building in Cerritos that might be historic?
Yes, but reuse will be judged under the zone rules and precise‑plan/design‑review requirements; if the property is in OS and the use is a scenic/historic center, that use is permitted subject to a precise plan (§ 22.30.300) . If the building is a qualified historic property, the California Historical Building Code offers alternative code solutions (CHBC) .
Do I need design review for exterior changes on a potentially historic building?
Expect design review for significant exterior changes: the city’s precise plan and design‑review framework authorize referral to a design‑review committee and evaluation of architectural compatibility (§ 23.90.240) .
What zones in Cerritos explicitly mention “historic” uses?
The OS (Open Space) zone explicitly lists scenic, historic and cultural centers and corridors as permitted uses (subject to precise‑plan review) in § 22.30.300 .
If a building is listed at the state/national level, how does that change things?
If a building is a “qualified historical building or property,” the California Historical Building Code (CHBC) provides alternative, preservation‑oriented code solutions; the city’s building department and enforcing agency apply CHBC provisions where appropriate .
Can I build an ADU on a lot with a historic house in Cerritos?
State ADU guidance allows ADUs on lots with historic resources but permits local governments to adopt objective standards that prevent adverse impacts on listed historic properties; the local ADU rules and the city’s design review practices will govern the details — confirm with the City of Cerritos (state ADU guidance summarized in the provided ADU handbook) .
What parts of my application will the city scrutinize for historic‑resource impacts?
Expect scrutiny of the project’s compatibility (materials, massing, siting), removal/demolition impacts, and public‑facing changes; these items are evaluated through the precise‑plan and design‑review processes under § 23.90.220 – § 23.90.240 .
Where do I find the exact dimensional standards (setbacks, heights) that will apply to a reuse project?
Dimensional standards come from the applicable zone chapter and any area development plan (ADP) applying to the parcel. Check the applicable zone chapter in Chapters 22.21–22.39 and the ADP (if present) for site development and height/setback rules (see general land‑use rules § 22.20.010 and applicable ADP sections) .
If I want to nominate a building for preservation, where do I start in Cerritos?
Not found in retrieved materials: the retrieved code does not include a nomination procedure for a local register. Start by contacting the City of Cerritos planning department to ask about any local historic‑resource program or to pursue state or federal listing processes (National Register / California Register) .
How do overlays (ADPs) affect a historic‑preservation project?
If the parcel is within an overlay such as ADP‑5.1, the overlay’s provisions and approval criteria (including precise‑plan and conditional use criteria) become controlling when the ADP designation is activated; ADPs can require higher design standards and specific maintenance/preservation conditions (§ 22.61.020, § 22.61.070) .
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