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Glendale · Building on your lot

Historic homes in Glendale

Glendale's own rules on historic homes, with the code text for every value.

Each rule below links to the section of the Glendale Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Glendale's code says

Glendale code What Glendale's code adds
Changing a historic home
  • Permits and any CEQA review first; then design review by the historic preservation commission or the community development director.
    Applies: Major alterations or partial demolition of a contributor or non-contributor in a designated or pending historic district overlay zone.
    § 30.25.052 · code text
    No person shall make major alterations to, or partially demolish, any resource that is a contributor or non-contributor to a designated historic district overlay zone or pending historic district overlay zone without first completing any environmental review required by CEQA and obtaining all required permits.
  • Permit and any CEQA review required. Review by the director of community development.
    Applies: Minor alterations to a designated, pending or potential historic resource or a protected interior.
    § 15.20.084 · code text
    No person shall make minor alterations to a designated historic resource, to a resource pending designation as a historic resource, to a potential historic resource, or to a protected interior without completing any environmental review required by CEQA and obtaining permits.
  • Director review and approval, even without a building permit, for work like doors, awnings, siding, trim, lights, hardscape, fences, walls.
    Applies: Designated, pending or potential historic resource or protected interior; minor alterations that do not need a building permit.
    § 15.20.084 · code text
    The following work must be reviewed and approved by the director of community development:
Demolishing an older or historic home
  • Demolishing a home needs approval of a demolition clearance and a demolition permit.
    Applies: Complete demolition of a contributor or non-contributor in a designated or pending historic district overlay zone.
    § 30.25.060 · code text
    No person shall completely demolish a contributor or non-contributor to a designated historic district overlay zone or pending historic district overlay zone without obtaining approval of a demolition clearance and a demolition permit, pursuant to Chapter 15.22 of this code.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What rules apply to a historic home in Glendale?

Glendale's code: Permits and any CEQA review first; then design review by the historic preservation commission or the community development director. (Major alterations or partial demolition of a contributor or non-contributor in a designated or pending historic district overlay zone.) (§ 30.25.052); Permit and any CEQA review required. Review by the director of community development. (Minor alterations to a designated, pending or potential historic resource or a protected interior.) (§ 15.20.084).

General information, not legal advice.

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