Skip to content

Lake County · Building on your lot

Historic homes in Lake County

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

Ask about historic homes in Lake County See coverage

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

What Lake County's code says

Lake County code What Lake County's code adds
Changing a historic home
  • Major use permit required
    Applies: Any registered cultural resource or site within an "HP" combining district
    § 38.4.1 · code text
    The alteration of any registered cultural resource or site within an "HP" combining district shall require a major use permit.
  • Cultural Resource Commission review and comment; Planning Commission permit issuance requires receipt and review of the evaluation
    Applies: A lot or parcel contains a registered cultural resource or site, or is within a listed "HP" district
    § 38.4.1 · code text
    then permit applications which may result in the alteration of such a cultural resource or site shall be referred by the Planning Department to the Cultural Resource Commission for review and comment.
  • Approval is deemed granted after 40 days without a report
    Applies: Cultural Resource Commission does not report after referral
    § 38.4.1 · code text
    Failure of the Cultural Resource Commission to report within forty (40) days after the referral shall be deemed to be their approval of the permit application.
Demolishing an older or historic home
  • Demolition prohibited except in accordance with a major use permit
    Applies: Any feature of property zoned "HP" that gives the property its special historical, archaeological, or architectural character
    § 38.4.1 · code text
    No feature of any property zoned "HP" which gives the property its special historical, archaeological, or architectural character shall be altered or demolished except in accordance with the provisions of such a major use permit.
Mills Act tax incentive
  • Tax incentives are available through a voluntary preservation contract with the County
    Applies: Historic Preservation "HP" combining district, used with state Government Code and Revenue and Taxation Code provisions
    § 38.8 · code text
    The Historic Preservation "HP" combining district when used in conjunction with Section 50280 et. seq. of the California Government Code and Section 439.1 of the Revenue and Taxation Code is designed to preserve significant historic and cultural resources or sites by providing the availability of tax incentives to those landowners in the community who voluntarily agree to preserve such resources on their property by entering into a contract with the County.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What rules apply to a historic home in Lake County?

Lake County's code: Major use permit required (Any registered cultural resource or site within an "HP" combining district) (§ 38.4.1); Cultural Resource Commission review and comment; Planning Commission permit issuance requires receipt and review of the evaluation (A lot or parcel contains a registered cultural resource or site, or is within a listed "HP" district) (§ 38.4.1).

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Lake County property

Ask GoCodebook how Lake County's historic homes rules apply to your situation and get an answer that cites the section.

Ask your question

More on building on your lot in Lake County

All building on your lot rules in Lake County

Fences and walls in Lake County

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Lake County

Solar panels and EV chargers in Lake County

Building in a flood zone in Lake County

Grading and erosion control in Lake County

Lake County Municipal Code — full text