Danville — Historic Preservation

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

Danville’s municipal planning code includes a discrete historic-preservation area inside Chapter XXXII (Planning and Land Use) identified as § 32‑72 (Historic Preservation) in the table of contents, and also embeds historic‑resource rules and exceptions within other development sections (notably the floodplain provisions and the Downtown Business District design standards). The code provides a local definition of historic structure, a flood‑variance exception for listed historic buildings, and downtown design standards that explicitly treat heritage resources; however, the full text of § 32‑72 itself is not shown in the retrieved materials. Confirm any parcel‑specific obligations with the Planning Division.

How the ordinance actually handles historic preservation (by district / section)

Notes on sources and scope: every requirement below is tied to text actually present in the retrieved Danville Municipal Code excerpts. Where the files do not contain district or preservation text, the entry says “Not found in retrieved materials” and points to the closest available controlling §. All quoted code references use the § glyph and the section number found in the retrieved files.

Downtown Business District — DBD (32‑45; specs in § 32‑45.22)

• Purpose & context: The Downtown Business District explicitly recognizes and preserves historic fabric; § 32‑45.22 sets architectural development standards and directs that new work respect the downtown’s nineteenth‑century origins and the Town’s Design Guidelines for Heritage Resources. The DBD calls out multiple representative historic styles (Gothic Revival, Victorian, Craftsman, Spanish Revival, etc.) and requires that new buildings “work in context” with existing historic buildings rather than mimic them.
• Typical permitted uses: Retail, restaurants, ground‑floor commercial in certain areas; the ordinance lists permitted ground‑floor uses and requires retail/restaurant continuity in Areas 1, 2, 2A, 3 and 11 under the DBD standards (see § 32‑45.22).
• Key design controls / dimensional standards: Architectural detailing on all visible elevations, prohibition on corporate/chain “cookie‑cutter” facades, storefront design standards for pedestrian orientation; area‑specific setbacks/heights are applied through the DBD Area tables (see Area 9 and Area 13 examples at § 32‑45.19 and § 32‑45.21.2). Design review is the mechanism used to enforce these rules — see the Town’s design review process.
• Where it applies: Downtown land use areas enumerated in Division 2 of § 32‑45 (Areas 1–13). See the Downtown Business District design rules and the Danville Development Standards for related processes.

DBD — Area 9 (Multifamily High/Medium) — Area 9 (§ 32‑45.19)

• Purpose: Multifamily housing consistent with General Plan densities for Area 9.
• Permitted uses: Multifamily residential types listed in § 32‑24 (see code table of districts), group homes and care facilities (state‑law consistent), supportive housing, emergency shelters as allowed by the area rules.
• Dimensional standards relevant to preservation: Height limit of two stories / 35 ft, area‑specific front/side/rear yard setbacks (e.g., front yard 25 ft for Area 9), and supplemental submittal requirements that include project elevations and materials to ensure compatibility with the downtown character. These standards are enforced through the DBD development plan and design review.

DBD — Area 13 (Multifamily Residential‑High Special) — Area 13 (§ 32‑45.21.2)

• Purpose & standards: Area 13 requires a minimum density and emphasizes compatibility with Danville’s architectural heritage; new development must be reviewed through Danville’s design review process to achieve scale and compatibility with heritage resources. Ground‑floor commercial percentages and density ranges are specified in the area standard. If a historic resource sits in an Area, the DBD standards require that new construction integrate with the existing downtown fabric rather than mimic historic work.

Single‑Family Residential Districts — § 32‑22

• What the code shows: the zoning district list and table of contents identifies § 32‑22 for single‑family residential districts, but the retrieved files do not include the full text of § 32‑22 or any historic‑resource special rules targeted to single‑family zones. Not found in retrieved materials — verify with the jurisdiction for R‑district preservation procedures and design‑review triggers.

Accessory Dwelling Units — § 32‑76 (ADUs)

• What the code shows: ADUs are listed in the planning TOC at § 32‑76. The retrieved materials do not show any historic‑resource specific ADU exceptions; any ADU work on a designated historic structure may implicate the California Historical Building Code or local design review. Not found in retrieved materials for historic‑specific ADU rules — verify with the Town. See the ADU guidance for process links.

Flood Damage Prevention / Historic Structures — § 32‑117 (Definitions and Variances)

• Definition: The code defines "Historic structure" within the flood regulations definitions, describing qualifying listings (National Register, contributing to a registered district, state or locally listed under approved programs). These definitions live in the flood chapter definitions (see § 32‑117.4).
• Substantial‑improvement exclusion: The flood definitions state that “substantial improvement” excludes any alteration of a "historic structure" provided the alteration will not preclude continued designation; thus ordinary flood‑plain substantial‑improvement rules do not automatically force historic buildings into full elevation/mitigation if the work preserves designation. See § 32‑117.4 and the definition of “substantial improvement.”
• Flood‑variance for historic resources: A flood hazard variance may be issued for reconstruction, rehabilitation or restoration of a structure listed on the National Register or State Inventory “without regard to the procedures set forth in the remainder of this subsection,” subject to limits (e.g., not in a floodway if it increases flood levels, variance must be minimum necessary). See § 32‑117.44. This is the principal explicit legal protection/exception for historic buildings located in flood hazard zones.

Other district references

• The code contains a full list of districts (single‑family, multi‑family, agricultural, Downtown Business District, R‑B, C, L‑I, P‑1 etc.). These are enumerated in the Chapter XXXII TOC (e.g., § 32‑22, § 32‑24, § 32‑45, etc.). The ordinance sections for each district contain the usual permitted/conditional uses and development standards, but the retrieved files do not show a townwide historic‑district overlay text or local “landmark” designation procedure outside of the Downtown standards and the flood definitions. Not found in retrieved materials: a full, stand‑alone local historic preservation ordinance or an explicit local landmarks registry process text. Verify with the Planning Division.

Quick Standards & Uses (decision‑relevant table)

Checklist

An applicant (owner, architect, or contractor) proposing work that touches a potential Danville historic resource should complete this checklist before filing any building or planning application:

• Verify whether the property is a historic structure (National Register, State Inventory, or certified local inventory) — see § 32‑117.4.
• If the property is in a floodplain, prepare technical justification for any variance and check the special historic variance rule in § 32‑117.44.
• For any exterior change in the Downtown Business District, craft elevations and materials to satisfy the architectural development standards in § 32‑45.22 and submit to design review. Consult Danville Design Review.
• Confirm applicable development standards (setbacks, heights, parking) in the relevant district (DBD Areas, R/M districts) and include those dimensions on plan sets — see Danville Development Standards and the district code (e.g., § 32‑45.19, § 32‑45.21.2).
• If modifications could affect nonconforming status, sign, or landscaping, check the respective code chapters and file for variances or administrative relief as needed; consult Danville Nonconforming Uses and Danville Variances and Exceptions.
• For ADU work on older/historic buildings, verify local ADU rules and whether the California Historical Building Code applies; consult Danville ADUs and the California Building Standards Code. Not found in retrieved materials: ADU‑specific historic exemptions — verify with the Town.

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English Summary

Danville’s zoning code recognizes historic resources primarily through downtown design rules that protect heritage character and through the floodplain chapter’s definition and special exceptions for "historic structures." If your property is listed on a national, state, or certified local inventory, you’ll get targeted exceptions (notably flood‑variance relief) and your exterior work in downtown will be judged against the Town’s heritage design criteria — but the full local historic preservation procedures listed under § 32‑72 were not present in the retrieved materials, so check with Planning for the town’s complete local preservation rules.

Source References

• Danville Municipal Code — Chapter XXXII, Planning and Land Use (Table of contents showing § 32‑72 Historic Preservation).
• § 32‑45.22 — Downtown Business District: Architectural Development Standards (heritage resources & design guidelines).
• § 32‑45.19 — DBD Area 9 development standards (height, setbacks, permitted uses).
• § 32‑45.21.2 — DBD Area 13 standards (density and design review direction).
• § 32‑117.4 — Flood chapter definitions including Historic structure and the “substantial improvement” exclusion.
• § 32‑117.44 — Conditions for issuance of flood hazard variances for historic structures.
• Danville Zoning district list and district table of contents (e.g., § 32‑22, § 32‑24, DBD divisions).
• California Historical Building Code (background reference found in uploaded materials; for CHBC applicability to qualified historic buildings).
• California Building Code Appendix G (historical structure variance language) as context (uploaded).

Retrieved passages

• Danville Zoning Code (§ 3) Medium relevance show source text
• Danville Zoning Code (§ 3) Medium relevance show source text
• Danville Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance show source text
• Danville Zoning Code (§8-4804) Medium relevance show source text
• Danville Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance show source text
• Danville Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text
• Danville Zoning Code (CHAPTER XXX) Medium relevance show source text
• Danville Zoning Code (section selection) Medium relevance show source text
• Danville Zoning Code (ARTICLE VIII) Medium relevance show source text
• Danville Zoning Code (CHAPTER XXX) Medium relevance show source text
• Danville Zoning Code (Section 32-45.10.) Medium relevance show source text
• Danville Zoning Code (CHAPTER XXX) Medium relevance show source text
• Danville Zoning Code (§ 3) Medium relevance show source text
• Danville Zoning Code (Section 32-45.10) Medium relevance show source text
• Danville Zoning Code (section selection) Medium relevance show source text
• Danville Zoning Code (section selection) Medium relevance show source text
• Danville Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text
• Danville Zoning Code (§8-4804) Medium relevance show source text
• Danville Zoning Code (section selection) Medium relevance show source text
• Danville Zoning Code (section selection) Medium relevance show source text
• Danville Zoning Code (§8-4302) Medium relevance show source text
• Danville Zoning Code (§8-4839) Medium relevance show source text
• Danville Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Danville Municipal Code — Chapter XXXII, Planning and Land Use (Table of contents showing **§ 32‑72 Historic Preservation**). (Chapter XXXII)
• **§ 32‑45.22** — Downtown Business District: Architectural Development Standards (heritage resources & design guidelines). (§ 32)
• **§ 32‑45.19** — DBD Area 9 development standards (height, setbacks, permitted uses). (§ 32)
• **§ 32‑45.21.2** — DBD Area 13 standards (density and design review direction). (§ 32)
• **§ 32‑117.4** — Flood chapter definitions including **Historic structure** and the “substantial improvement” exclusion. (§ 32)
• **§ 32‑117.44** — Conditions for issuance of flood hazard variances for historic structures. (§ 32)
• Danville Zoning district list and district table of contents (e.g., **§ 32‑22**, **§ 32‑24**, DBD divisions). (§ 32)
• California Historical Building Code (background reference found in uploaded materials; for CHBC applicability to qualified historic buildings).
• California Building Code Appendix G (historical structure variance language) as context (uploaded).
• Danville_ZoningCode.md
• 2025 California Historical Building Code.md
• 2025 California Building Code.md

• Official Danville code library