Loma Linda — Historic Preservation

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

Loma Linda’s historic preservation rules are codified in Chapter 17.80 — Historic Preservation (citywide procedures and definitions) and the site‑specific Historic Mission Overlay District (Chapter 17.82). Together they establish a citywide designation process, a local historic commission, review rules (including Certificates of Appropriateness), and a special overlay that requires cultural resource studies, design guidelines, buffer rules, and specific treatments for the Mission Road area. For where preservation rules intersect ordinary land‑use controls see the city’s zoning and development standards pages; items like parking, design review, and setback/dimensional questions are handled through the related zoning chapters and overlay requirements.

How Loma Linda’s preservation rules are organized (quick map)

• Citywide baseline: Chapter 17.80 — definitions, historic commission, designation criteria and process, certificates, enforcement, and powers.
• Overlay district: Historic Mission Overlay District (Chapter 17.82) — rules that apply to the Mission Road area (boundaries stated in the chapter), mandatory cultural resource studies, design standards, demolition rules, and sample treatments.
• Zoning tie‑in: properties inside the Mission overlay are assigned Planned Community (PC) zoning and a Mixed‑Use general plan designation for purposes of future projects; final development standards are set through a specific plan/master development plan process.

District-by-district breakdown

Historic Mission Overlay District (Chapter 17.82)

• Purpose: To preserve and enhance the Mission Road area’s historical and cultural resources and rural character, while allowing compatible new development through specific plans and design guidelines.
• Where it applies: The overlay is bounded roughly by Redlands Boulevard (N), San Timoteo Creek (S), California Street (E) and Mountain View Avenue (W), with specific extensions (including the Van Leuven Mansion and a study area east of California Street). Verify parcel applicability with the city. § 17.82.040.
• Typical permitted uses: The overlay anticipates a mixed‑use pattern under Planned Community (PC) zoning—residential (varying densities), community facilities, retail, offices, business park, open space and recreation—subject to specific plan/master plan details and planning commission approvals for conditional uses. § 17.82.090(A–B).
• Key standards and controls:
  • Cultural resource studies and a Historic Resource Evaluation Report are required when buildings or features are more than fifty years old or otherwise age‑qualified. § 17.82.080.
  • New development must be routed through a specific plan or master development plan; many dimensional standards (setbacks, height, lot coverage) are set in that process rather than in the overlay text. § 17.82.090(A,C).
  • Minimum buffer zones around historic resources: generally 50 ft (may be adjusted by the planning commission depending on circumstance). § 17.82.090(C)(4).
  • Trails/interpretive signage and preservation of the zanja (historic irrigation ditch) are required emphases; new development shall include trails/pedestrian linkages where appropriate. § 17.82.090(C)(5).
  • Parking for residential development must follow Chapter 17.24 — see the city parking rules. § 17.82.090(C)(6).

Practical guidance: If your project is inside the overlay, assume you will need a cultural resources consultant, a specific‑plan path (or amendments), coordination with the Historic Commission, and design work that follows the Secretary of the Interior standards and the district’s style list. Verify parcel inclusion before assuming overlay standards apply. § 17.82.040, § 17.82.080, § 17.82.090.

Planned Community (PC) zoning inside the overlay (as applied by Chapter 17.82)

• Purpose: To implement the overlay’s mixed‑use vision via a site‑specific plan. § 17.82.090(A).
• Typical permitted uses: Broadly mixed—housing, retail, office, community facilities, parks and open space; precise uses and any conditional uses are set by the planning commission/specific plan. § 17.82.090(B).
• Dimensional standards: Not fixed in the overlay text—deferred to the specific plan/master development plan (setbacks, lot coverage, height, FAR, etc.). Expect design review and coordination with the historic commission. § 17.82.090(C)(1).

Practical guidance: Treat the PC zone inside the overlay as a process requirement—you’ll need a specific plan or master plan submittal; ordinary district numeric standards are not published in Chapter 17.82 and will be in the specific plan. See the city’s zoning page for process context.

Citywide Historic Preservation (Chapter 17.80) — designated resources and districts

• Purpose and scope: Chapter 17.80 applies citywide to cultural resources and establishes designation criteria, the historic commission, review powers, certificates, and enforcement. § 17.80.010 – § 17.80.030.
• Designation types: Individual designated cultural resources, historic districts, conservation zones, and designated sites—all may be created following the criteria and procedures in § 17.80.070–080.
• Review and approvals:
  • A Certificate of Appropriateness is required for alterations, restorations, changes of use, demolition, and many exterior changes affecting a designated resource or properties in a historic district. § 17.80.090(A–D).
  • The Historic Preservation Commission reviews nominations, maintains the local register, issues recommendations and (in many cases) approvals subject to city council action. § 17.80.050–060.
  • The Commission uses the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards as a guide; the city publishes standards/guidelines to supplement the chapter. § 17.80.090(E–F).
• Special rules:
  • The California State Historic Building Code may be used for designated resources in the building permit process. § 17.80.100.
  • Economic hardship exceptions and certificates are available under defined findings. § 17.80.090(F)(4) and § 17.80.120 (certificates of economic hardship).

Practical guidance: If a property is nominated or designated, do not assume standard building permits alone will clear work — a Certificate of Appropriateness is typically required prior to permit issuance. Consult early with the Historic Commission/staff and the planning department and use the city’s design review and overlay districts pages for process context.

Key decision‑relevant standards (table)

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy)

• Confirm whether the property is inside the Historic Mission Overlay District and/or is a designated cultural resource (verify with the city). § 17.82.040.
• If the resource or affected building is >50 years, commission a Historic Resource Evaluation Report / cultural resources study prepared by qualified consultants (DPR 523 form, archival photos, statement of significance). § 17.82.080.
• For work on a designated resource or in a historic district, prepare and apply for a Certificate of Appropriateness before building permits. § 17.80.090.
• Align rehabilitation, restoration, and additions with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and the city’s design guidelines. § 17.82.100.
• If inside the overlay and proposing new development, follow the specific plan / PC process (site plan, design review, environmental review per CEQA) and consult the historic commission during environmental/project review. § 17.82.090(A) and § 17.82.070.
• Provide required parking documentation per Chapter 17.24 and landscape plans as required; include trail/pedestrian linkages if applicable. § 17.82.090(C)(5–6).
• If demolition is proposed, prepare the required evaluation and mitigation/salvage plan and expect the historic commission to review alternatives first. § 17.82.110.

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English Summary

If your property is nominated, designated, or inside the Historic Mission Overlay District, expect required cultural resource studies for buildings older than 50 years, review by the city’s Historic Commission, and a required Certificate of Appropriateness before most exterior work or demolition; the Mission overlay pushes new development into a Planned Community (PC) / specific‑plan path with design standards and buffers to protect historic features. Verify parcel status and start conversations with planning and commission staff early.

Source References

• Loma Linda Municipal Code — Chapter 17.80, Historic Preservation (title, purpose, definitions, commission, designation criteria, procedures, certificates, enforcement). See § 17.80.010 – § 17.80.120.
• Loma Linda Municipal Code — Chapter 17.82, Historic Mission Overlay District (intent, boundaries, cultural resource study requirements, design criteria, rehabilitation standards, demolition rules). See § 17.82.010 – § 17.82.140.
• Historic rehabilitation standards reference: requirement to follow the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards in rehabilitation projects (Chapter 17.82). § 17.82.100.

Information Gaps

• The uploaded materials do not list the City’s standard numeric district designations such as R‑1, C‑N, specific numeric setbacks, lot coverage percentages, or exact FARs for general residential/commercial zones; Chapter 17.82 defers numeric standards to specific plans. Not found in retrieved materials — Verify with the City’s full zoning map and Chapter 17 text for district numeric tables.
• Online municipal code URLs and the latest adopted maps were not supplied in the retrieved file excerpts. Verify live municipal code and maps with the City Clerk / Community Development. Not found in retrieved materials.

Retrieved passages

• Loma Linda Zoning Code (chapter to) High relevance show source text
• Loma Linda Zoning Code (§ 7) High relevance show source text
• Loma Linda Zoning Code (§ 17.80.160.) High relevance show source text
• Loma Linda Zoning Code (§ 4) High relevance show source text
• Loma Linda Zoning Code (§ 12) High relevance show source text
• Loma Linda Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• Loma Linda Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• Loma Linda Zoning Code (§ 17.80.030.) High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Loma Linda Municipal Code — **Chapter 17.80, Historic Preservation** (title, purpose, definitions, commission, designation criteria, procedures, certificates, enforcement). See **§ 17.80.010 – § 17.80.120**. (Chapter 17.80)
• Loma Linda Municipal Code — **Chapter 17.82, Historic Mission Overlay District** (intent, boundaries, cultural resource study requirements, design criteria, rehabilitation standards, demolition rules). See **§ 17.82.010 – § 17.82.140**. (Chapter 17.82)
• Historic rehabilitation standards reference: requirement to follow the **Secretary of the Interior’s Standards** in rehabilitation projects (Chapter 17.82). **§ 17.82.100**. (Chapter 17.82)
• LomaLinda_ZoningCode.md

• Official Loma Linda code library