Clovis — Historic Preservation

Last reviewed: July 1, 2026

Overview

Clovis’s Development Code does not establish a stand‑alone historic preservation ordinance but embeds historic-resource controls and review triggers in multiple places: the O (Open Space Conservation) district explicitly allows historic and cultural sites; the Code maintains a historic resources inventory and procedures for heritage tree designation; and the Code requires the City to determine historic-site status for major housing applications. Key review tools that affect historic resources are site plan review, administrative/conditional use permits, and the variance/minor‑deviation process. See the Development Code excerpts cited below for the controlling text. Design review, setbacks/development standards, and temporary protection measures for archaeological or historic resources are implemented through existing chapters of the Code and the Director’s discretionary review powers.

Important internal links (first natural mention of each): design review, development standards, overlays, parking, ADUs, California Building Standards Code, variances and exceptions.

What the Code actually says (high‑value citations + plain‑English synthesis)

• The O (Open Space Conservation) district authorizes historic and cultural sites as an allowable use subject to site plan review by the Director; that means preserved parks, landmarked sites on open land, or similar cultural resources are explicitly contemplated in the O district. See § 9.16.020.

• The Code establishes a heritage tree program that treats designated trees as protected features, requires a Committee hearing for designation, records approved heritage designations with the County Recorder and lists them on the City historic resources inventory maintained by the Department. See § 9.30.040 and § 9.30.120. Heritage trees are protected in all zoning districts.

• For larger housing development projects the City must make a historic site determination as part of the final application completeness check; a parcel that the City determines is a historic site stays on that status for the pendency of that application unless archaeological/tribal resources are encountered. See § 9.50.100(B). This ties CEQA/tribal consultation and project timing to preservation concerns.

• The Code allows temporary protective measures during construction: temporary fencing to protect archaeological or historic resources (and trees) is allowed but is subject to Director review and approval. See § 9.24.060 (H.2). Use this when you need to secure a site before formal design review starts.

• The Code contemplates a local review body for heritage/historic matters via a defined Historic Preservation Board (named in the Development Code definitions) to promote preservation and protection of buildings, sites, structures, areas, and districts of historic significance. The definitions and related review authorities appear in the Code’s definitions and review‑authority chapters. (See Definitions and Table 5‑1 for review thresholds.)

• Historic resources are also considered indirectly through other standard review processes: site plan review (Director first, with possible referral to Planning Commission), administrative use permits and conditional use permits, and the variance/minor deviation process (which may be relevant when preservation objectives conflict with strict development standards). See § 9.56.040 (site plan review findings) and Chapter 9.68 (variances/minor deviations).

• The Code cross‑references state law and building code allowances for historic structures (e.g., the California Historical Building Code and provisions that allow alternative approaches for historic structures in other California codes). Where work on a historic structure triggers building‑code issues, the State codes (Title 24/California Building Standards Code) apply in the tolerated alternative ways for qualified historic properties. Not a local preservation grant of exemptions, but the Development Code expects consistency with State standards. Noted in the Code and the supplied California historical/building code excerpts.

District‑by‑district breakdown (only districts where the Code specifically mentions historic resources or programmatic protections)

O (Open Space Conservation)

• Purpose: conserve natural resources, parks, trail systems, and permanently preserved open space. Historic and cultural sites are an explicit allowed use.
• Typical permitted uses (relevant to preservation): flood control channels, greenbelts, parkways, recreation areas, wildlife preserves, and historic and cultural sites (subject to site plan review). Permits: site plan review by the Director is required for these uses; additional uses may require administrative or conditional use permits. Code reference: § 9.16.020.
• Dimensional standards: O District uses follow general Development Code rules unless modified in a specific plan — coordinate with the Director for setbacks or site‑specific requirements. Verify with the Director for site‑specific standards.
• Where it applies: map‑based overlay shown on the official zoning map; consult Zone Map symbols in § 9.08.010 to confirm whether a parcel is in O.

P‑F (Public Facilities)

• Purpose: public and quasi‑public facilities (city buildings, libraries, cemeteries, etc.). The district can host public historic properties (e.g., a city‑owned historic building) that are subject to site plan review or other public review. See § 9.16.020(B) for permit triggers and required approvals.
• Typical permitted uses relevant to preservation: city‑owned structures and public sites that may contain historic resources; building permits for public uses are conditioned on consistency with applicable codes. Code reference: § 9.16.020(B).

All Zoning Districts — Heritage trees and historic resources inventory

• Purpose/coverage: heritage trees may be designated across all districts; approved heritage tree designations are recorded and listed on the City’s historic resources inventory. See § 9.30.040 and § 9.30.120 for designation, hearing, and recordation procedures. Heritage tree protections are therefore citywide.

(There is no separate “historic overlay district” or detailed local landmark designation procedure in the retrieved Development Code text — see Information Gaps below.)

Quick reference table — most decision‑relevant local standards/uses

Checklist (what an applicant concerned about historic resources should satisfy)

• Confirm whether the parcel is in the O or P‑F district or otherwise shown on the zone map (consult § 9.08.010 and the Director).
• If within O, prepare a site plan review package for the Director with drawings, narrative describing historic/cultural significance, and any proposed public access or interpretive elements (Director review per § 9.16.020).
• If the project involves removal or disturbance of trees, check protected tree rules and apply for heritage tree designation or tree removal permit as appropriate (follow § 9.30.040–§ 9.30.060).
• For housing projects, request/obtain a historic‑site determination from the City early (complete application stage) as required by § 9.50.100(B).
• If construction or grading may disturb archaeological/tribal resources, provide for temporary fencing and consult with the Director for approval of protection measures (§ 9.24.060(H.2)).
• Coordinate any proposed work on a designated historic structure with Building Division staff to understand State code alternatives (California Historical Building Code/Title 24) and whether alternatives apply.
• If strict development standards would block the preservation approach, evaluate whether a minor deviation or variance is appropriate and prepare findings aligned with Chapter 9.68.
• Use pre‑application conference and the Development Review Committee to flag preservation issues early (§ 9.50.030).

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English summary

Clovis’s Development Code treats historic resources through a mix of district uses (notably the O district), heritage‑tree protections, site‑level review and Director oversight; it does not, in the retrieved text, show a separate city landmark/district designation procedure — verify with staff. If your project affects an identified resource, the Director’s site plan review, possible AUP/CUPs, temporary protection measures, and coordination with building‑code staff (for historical code alternatives) are the main steps to expect.

Information Gaps

• A formal local landmark designation procedure or a named historic overlay district (text not found in retrieved materials). Not found in retrieved materials — Verify with the Planning Department or City Clerk.
• Detailed criteria, application forms, fee schedule, or procedural rules for a “Historic Preservation Board” (the Code defines the board but the implementing procedures were not located in the retrieved files). Not found in retrieved materials — Verify with the Planning Department.
• An explicit local historic resources survey or a publicly accessible list of locally designated landmarks beyond the heritage tree inventory reference. Not found in retrieved materials — Verify with the Department.

Source References

• Development Code — O (Open Space) and Public Facilities district uses: § 9.16.020
• Heritage trees and designation procedures (recordation to historic resources inventory): § 9.30.040; § 9.30.120
• Director site plan review findings and process: § 9.56.040
• Temporary fencing/requirements for protecting archaeological or historic resources: § 9.24.060 (H.2)
• Historic site determination for housing projects and CEQA/tribal resource triggers: § 9.50.100(B)
• Variances/minor deviations (limits, review authority relevant to preservation conflicts): Chapter 9.68 (esp. § 9.68.030)
• Definition: Historic Preservation Board (in Development Code definitions) — definitions block (see Definitions)
• California Historical Building Code/State building code excerpts (historic structure definitions and treatment): supplied code excerpts (California Historical Building Code; California Building Code historic variance provisions)

Retrieved passages

• Clovis Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance show source text
• Clovis Zoning Code (§ 9.68.040.) Medium relevance show source text
• Clovis Zoning Code (chapter and) Medium relevance show source text
• Clovis Zoning Code (Chapter 9.68.) Medium relevance show source text
• Clovis Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance show source text
• Clovis Zoning Code (Chapter 86) Medium relevance show source text
• Clovis Zoning Code (section to) Medium relevance show source text
• Clovis Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text
• Clovis Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance show source text
• Clovis Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• Clovis Zoning Code (§ 9.72.040.) Medium relevance show source text
• CFC § 120 (Chapter 62) Medium relevance show source text
• Clovis Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance show source text
• CBC § 18955 (Section 18955) Medium relevance show source text
• Clovis Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance show source text
• Clovis Zoning Code (§ 3) Medium relevance show source text
• Clovis Zoning Code (Section 65915) Medium relevance show source text
• Clovis Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Development Code — O (Open Space) and Public Facilities district uses: **§ 9.16.020** (§ 9.16.020)
• Heritage trees and designation procedures (recordation to historic resources inventory): **§ 9.30.040; § 9.30.120** (§ 9.30.040)
• Director site plan review findings and process: **§ 9.56.040** (§ 9.56.040)
• Temporary fencing/requirements for protecting archaeological or historic resources: **§ 9.24.060 (H.2)** (§ 9.24.060)
• Historic site determination for housing projects and CEQA/tribal resource triggers: **§ 9.50.100(B)** (§ 9.50.100)
• Variances/minor deviations (limits, review authority relevant to preservation conflicts): **Chapter 9.68** (esp. **§ 9.68.030**) (Chapter 9.68)
• Definition: **Historic Preservation Board** (in Development Code definitions) — definitions block (see Definitions)
• California Historical Building Code/State building code excerpts (historic structure definitions and treatment): supplied code excerpts (California Historical Building Code; California Building Code historic variance provisions)
• Clovis_ZoningCode.md
• 2025 California Historical Building Code.md
• 2025 California Building Code.md

• Official Clovis code library