Lakewood — Historic Preservation

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

Lakewood’s zoning ordinance does not contain a standalone historic-preservation chapter but it does reference historic resources in several limited places of Title 17 (Zoning). Most preservation‑relevant rules show up in (1) the city’s ADU rules where an “architecturally and historically significant historic district” creates specific exemptions, (2) the Development Review Board (DRB) and Ministerial Staff Review rules that control appearance review, and (3) references to state historic rules (California Historical Building Code). For where to start on procedural questions, consult Lakewood Zoning and the city's review and standards pages: the code routes projects through the city’s Lakewood Zoning framework, with parking, design review, and ADUs explicitly cross‑referenced in the ordinance. Key control sections include § 9302.21a for ADUs and § 9480–§ 9486 for development/design review.

What the Lakewood zoning/planning ordinance actually says about Historic Preservation (synthesis)

• The code does not establish a local historic‑landmark designation process, a local historic resources register, or a local historic‑preservation commission in the retrieved Title 17 materials. Not found in retrieved materials.
• The ordinance acknowledges historically significant places only in limited, functional ways:
  • ADU rules exempt units from replacement parking when the property is located “within an architecturally and historically significant historic district” (ADU parking exception). This language is located inside the ADU provisions: § 9302.21a (ADU definitions and standards).
  • The ADU framework also ties how demolition of a detached garage (when replaced by an ADU) is handled; state law protections for historic districts are referenced in the ADU and demolition context cited in the ordinance and supporting ADU discussion. See § 9302.21a and related ADU development standards.
  • Appearance, compatibility, and preservation of existing character are managed through the city’s Lakewood Design Review process: the Development Review Board and Ministerial Staff Review evaluate consistency with the General Plan, zoning, and “existing building character.” See § 9480, § 9483, § 9484, and § 9484.1. These provisions are the primary place where the city can require preservation‑sensitive design conditions for projects visible from the street.
  • The city incorporates state historic rules indirectly by recognizing that “qualified historical buildings or properties” can be subject to the California Historical Building Code for repair/rehab work (state code material is cited in the materials retrieved). See the California Historical Building Code discussion.

Practical implication: Lakewood treats historic significance as a factor to inform certain limited permitting outcomes (ADU parking, demolition notice exceptions, and discretionary design review), but it does not show a local program to declare landmarks or designate local historic districts inside the retrieved Title 17 text. Verify with the jurisdiction for any local historic register or resolution not included in these files.

District-by-district: How preservation rules intersect with each Lakewood zoning district

Below is a Lakewood‑specific, code‑grounded breakdown. Where the ordinance does not explicitly address historic preservation for that district we state “Not found in retrieved materials” and show the controlling zoning citations for the district purpose/uses.

Notes on sources used below: the city’s zoning map and list of zones are established in § 9310 and § 9311; ADU provisions are in § 9302.21a; Development/Design Review provisions are in § 9480–§ 9486; accessory building setbacks are in § 9322.7.

### R-1 (Single‑Family Residential)

• Purpose: R-1 is the city’s single‑family residential zone. § 9310 lists R-1 as “Single‑family residential.”
• Typical permitted uses: one primary single‑family dwelling; accessory buildings and permitted ADUs per § 9302.21a.
• Key dimensional standards relevant to preservation contexts: accessory/ADU setbacks (minimum 4 ft side/rear for accessory buildings and ADUs; front setback exceptions for small ADUs), ADU floor‑area limits (minimum 150 sq ft, typical maximum 1,200 sq ft unless conversion), and eave‑to‑eave setbacks 4 ft between new construction eaves. See § 9302.21a and § 9322.7.
• Where it applies: locations shown on the Zoning Map per § 9311.
• Preservation note: If a property in R-1 is inside a locally recognized “architecturally and historically significant historic district” the ADU parking exemption applies; otherwise the ordinance does not list district‑specific preservation controls for R-1. § 9302.21a (ADU parking exemption).

### R-A (Single‑Family Residential — Limited Agriculture)

• Purpose & uses: per § 9310 R-A is single‑family residential with limited agricultural uses allowed.
• Dimensional/ADU rules: ADUs are allowed under the same ADU rules in § 9302.21a (setbacks, parking rules apply).
• Preservation note: Not found in retrieved materials any special historic‑resource provisions tied to R‑A.

### M-F-R (Multiple‑Family Residential)

• Purpose: M-F-R is created to allow greater residential densities while “maintaining a desirable character” — the zone’s purpose appears in § 9330.
• Uses: multifamily housing; ADUs are permitted within multifamily contexts under the multifamily ADU provisions in § 9302.21a (up to specified counts, conversions, and setbacks).
• Dimensional standards: subject to multifamily development standards and DRB review; ADU‑specific height/setback exceptions for multifamily parcels are in § 9302.21a and supporting ADU provisions.
• Preservation note: No local historic overlay tied to M‑F‑R located in the retrieved file set. DRB review is the primary vehicle to preserve character on multifamily projects—see § 9480–§ 9484.

### PD‑SF and PD‑MF (Planned Unit Development — Single & Multiple Family)

• Purpose: PD zones are established by ordinance with a Development Plan and Precise Plan; the PD process allows the city to adopt parcel‑specific standards (useful when preservation objectives must be bundled into a precise plan). See § 9472–§ 9477 for PD procedures and requirements.
• Uses & standards: determined by the Development/Precise Plan; the Process allows the city to require retention of structures and set tailored architectural controls — so preservation could be enforced through a PD’s Precise Plan where adopted. See § 9472.4 and § 9477.1.
• Preservation note: If a parcel is in a PD zone, preservation obligations or retention of historic buildings must be written into the Precise Plan; the default zoning text does not itself create a PD‑scale historic program.

### C‑1 / C‑3 / C‑4 (Commercial Zones)

• Purpose & uses: commercial uses; C‑1 has storefront/frontage rules and yard/height conditions; see § 9342–§ 9346 for C‑1 standards.
• Dimensional standards: C‑1 building height capped by code language (e.g., 4 stories/65 ft in § 9342) and special front/side/rear yard rules in § 9343–§ 9345.
• Preservation note: No dedicated commercial historic overlay found in the retrieved Title 17 materials; DRB can require compatible alterations through § 9484.

### M‑1 / M‑2 (Manufacturing / Industrial)

• Purpose & uses: light and heavy manufacturing uses listed as zone classes in § 9310.
• Preservation note: Industrial sites are subject to the same DRB/permit process; no local industrial historic program found in the retrieved materials. DRB can impose compatibility conditions per § 9484.

### O‑S (Open Space)

• Purpose & preservation function: O‑S is explicitly for preservation uses and public open space (parks, natural resource preservation) — see § 9440 and § 9441; here preservation is substantive: the zone itself is for preservation of natural resources and open‑space functions. § 9440–§ 9442.

Key Standards & Permitted‑use quick table

Decision‑relevant items that intersect with historic concerns (code reference column points to the controlling local text or the state code excerpt included in the retrieved materials).

Checklist — what an applicant must satisfy (preservation‑relevant)

• Determine whether the property is inside a designated zone shown on the Zoning Map (§ 9311) and identify the zone (R‑1, M‑F‑R, O‑S, etc.).
• If proposing an ADU, follow the ADU submittal checklist: provide Building & Safety plans, planning screening via Ministerial Staff Review (MSR), and any demolition plan for a garage concurrently. See § 9302.21a and § 9483.
• For any exterior changes visible from the street: expect DRB review or MSR screening; be prepared to show elevations, materials, site plan, and explain compatibility with neighborhood character. See § 9483 and § 9484.
• If you claim the property sits inside an “architecturally and historically significant historic district” (to rely on ADU parking exemptions or demolition placard exceptions), provide the basis for that status — but note: a local program or map for such districts was Not found in retrieved materials; verify with the City (see Risks & Ambiguities).
• If the structure may qualify as a “qualified historical building or property,” confirm whether the California Historical Building Code applies and coordinate with Building & Safety. See CHBC discussion.

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English summary

Lakewood’s zoning code does not create a full local historic‑landmark program inside Title 17; instead, historic resources are referenced narrowly (notably in the ADU rules where properties in an “architecturally and historically significant historic district” get a parking exemption) and the city uses its Development Review Board / Ministerial Staff Review process to manage exterior compatibility and preservation‑sensitive conditions. If you own a potentially historic property or want an ADU on one, expect careful review, concurrent demolition/ADU permitting, and to verify district/landmark status with the city.

Source References

• § 9302.21a — Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) definition and ADU development standards (ADU parking exemption, setbacks, size).
• § 9322.7 — Accessory building setbacks and siting rules (accessory structures / garages).
• § 9310, § 9311 — Zone classes and Zoning Map authority (lists R‑1, R‑A, M‑F‑R, C zones, O‑S, PD).
• § 9330 — Purpose of M‑F‑R (Multiple‑Family Residential) zone.
• § 9472–§ 9477 — Planned Development (PD‑SF / PD‑MF) requirements and Precise Plan (where parcel‑specific preservation requirements could be written).
• § 9440–§ 9442 — O‑S (Open Space) zone and its preservation‑oriented uses.
• § 9480–§ 9486 — Development Review Board and Ministerial Staff Review purposes, applications, findings and powers (design/review route for compatibility/preservation).
• California Historical Building Code discussion (state resource, for alternative code application to “qualified historical buildings or properties”): retrieved CHBC excerpt.

If you need the actual ordinance pages or the city’s historic‑resource map (if one exists), contact the Lakewood Community Development Department or City Clerk to request any separate historic register or resolution (Not found in retrieved materials).

Retrieved passages

• Lakewood Zoning Code (§ 9424.) Medium relevance show source text
• CBC § 9481 (§ 9481.) Medium relevance show source text
• CBC § 150 Medium relevance show source text
• California Plumbing Code (Section of) Medium relevance show source text
• Lakewood Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text
• CBC § 9480 (§ 9480.) Medium relevance show source text
• CBC § 9484 (Article VIII) Medium relevance show source text
• Lakewood Zoning Code (§ 9476.) Medium relevance show source text
• CBC § 9483 (§ 9483.) Medium relevance show source text
• Lakewood Zoning Code (§ 9472.1.) Medium relevance show source text
• Lakewood Zoning Code (§ 65915) Medium relevance show source text
• Lakewood Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text
• CBC § 66314 (§ 66314) Medium relevance show source text
• Lakewood Zoning Code (§ 9302.20.) Medium relevance show source text
• Lakewood Zoning Code (Section 65852.2) Medium relevance show source text
• Lakewood Zoning Code (§ 66317) Medium relevance show source text
• CBC § 800 Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• **§ 9302.21a** — Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) definition and ADU development standards (ADU parking exemption, setbacks, size). (§ 9302.21a)
• **§ 9322.7** — Accessory building setbacks and siting rules (accessory structures / garages). (§ 9322.7)
• **§ 9310**, **§ 9311** — Zone classes and Zoning Map authority (lists **R‑1**, **R‑A**, **M‑F‑R**, **C** zones, **O‑S**, **PD**). (§ 9310)
• **§ 9330** — Purpose of M‑F‑R (Multiple‑Family Residential) zone. (§ 9330)
• **§ 9472–§ 9477** — Planned Development (PD‑SF / PD‑MF) requirements and Precise Plan (where parcel‑specific preservation requirements could be written). (§ 9472)
• **§ 9440–§ 9442** — O‑S (Open Space) zone and its preservation‑oriented uses. (§ 9440)
• **§ 9480–§ 9486** — Development Review Board and Ministerial Staff Review purposes, applications, findings and powers (design/review route for compatibility/preservation). (§ 9480)
• California Historical Building Code discussion (state resource, for alternative code application to “qualified historical buildings or properties”): retrieved CHBC excerpt.
• Lakewood_ZoningCode.md
• 2025 California ADU handbook.md
• 2025 California Historical Building Code.md

• Official Lakewood code library