Historic homes in El Cajon

Involves a structure, building or improvement constructed at least seventy-five years ago.

No person shall carry out or cause to be carried out on a designated historic resource any of the following activities without a certificate of modification: alteration to such buildings, structures, or improvements, or any part thereof, including construction, demolition, addition, or relocation.

No person shall carry out or cause to be carried out on a designated historic resource any of the following activities without a certificate of modification: alteration to such buildings, structures, or improvements, or any part thereof, including construction, demolition, addition, or relocation.

Where it is determined by the city manager or designee, that demolition, removal or alteration of a designated historic resource is immediately necessary in the interest of the public health or safety, a demolition permit may be issued without the owner first obtaining a certificate of modification.

When the application (requesting consideration of a historic resource designation) has been accepted as complete and a public hearing date has been assigned (the filing date), the director of community development shall notify the building and fire safety division to accept no further applications for permits to construct, alter or demolish any building, structure, or improvement on the subject property nor to issue any permits that are based on applications made after the filing date, while proceedings are pending on such designation; provided, however, that after one hundred eighty days have elapsed from the date of the notice, if final action on such designation has not been completed, the permit application may be approved.

Routine maintenance, which does not require a building permit.

All alterations which are entirely interior and do not affect the exterior of the building, structure or improvement.

Alterations in the interest of public health or safety as determined by the city manager or designee.

Demolition in the interest of public health or safety as determined by the city manager or designee.

Nothing in this article shall be construed to prevent the ordinary maintenance and repair of any exterior feature of any designated historic resource that does not involve a change in design, material, color, or appearance thereof.

To make historic preservation incentives available to El Cajon residents, the city council authorizes the use of contracts pursuant to California Government Code Section 50280 et seq., alternately known as "Historical Property Contracts" or the "Mills Act.”