Local zoning · Lomita

Lomita — Historic Preservation

Historic Preservation under the Lomita local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the City of Lomita's zoning ordinance actually says about historic preservation, landmark/district restrictions, and how historic resources are treated in routine zoning processes (entitlements, site plan review, signs, lot splits and two‑unit projects). Lomita does not publish a standalone historic‑preservation chapter in the materials retrieved; preservation references are embedded in other articles (signs, land‑use entitlements, lot splits, ADU/two‑unit rules, and permit review). Verify parcel‑specific limits with the Community Development Department. See the city's sign, development‑standards and entitlement rules for the operative language on preservation-related controls, especially § 11-1.67.05, § 11-1.30.15, § 11-1.30.16, and the site‑plan/entitlement rules in § 11-1.70.07.

What the Lomita code actually contains (topic-by-topic)

Citywide sign/graphics rules include a historic signs provision allowing the Planning Commission to exempt signs identified as historic or culturally significant; the exemption carries maintenance and "no substantial alteration" conditions. See the sign article and the prohibited‑sign listing at § 11-1.67.05 and the immediately preceding historic‑sign rules.
The Zoning Ordinance forbids certain land‑use actions on properties that are historic or inside a historic district that appears on the State Historic Resources Inventory, or that are designated by ordinance as a city/county landmark. That "Not historic" exclusion appears in the local rules for urban lot splits and for two‑unit projects: applicants must demonstrate the lot is not historic before ministerial approvals proceed. The relevant local code citations are § 11-1.30.15 (urban lot split) and § 11-1.30.16 (two‑unit development).
Routine approvals (site plan review, conditional use permits, variances) are governed by the land‑use entitlement procedures; projects affecting historic resources will generally be subject to the same public‑hearing, findings and CEQA screening described in § 11-1.70.03–§ 11-1.70.09 and related entitlements (site plan review: § 11-1.70.07). Use these rules to understand whether review is ministerial or discretionary.
The ordinance references state standards in places (ADU guidance and building code exceptions for historic structures). For building‑code variances and special treatment of historic structures see the California Building Code / Historical provisions (state rules allow some variances to preserve historic character). Local zoning defers to state building rules where applicable; see the state code excerpts retrieved.

District-by-district breakdown (how preservation references appear by district)

Note: Lomita's zoning districts appear across the code (for example: A-1, R-1, DC, NC, CC, RC). The ordinance embeds the preservation restrictions in specific processes rather than in a distinct preservation district. Below each district entry I list the preservation-relevant items drawn from the ordinance.

A-1 (Agricultural / large-lot residential)

Purpose / where it applies: used for large lots and limited residential uses (code references to A-1 appear in the urban‑lot/ADU rules).
Typical permitted uses: agriculture, single‑family dwellings subject to A‑1 standards.
Key dimensional/permit notes: urban lot split and two‑unit rules explicitly require the lot NOT be historic (no urban lot split or ministerial two‑unit approval if the lot is a historic property or within a designated historic district) — see § 11-1.30.15 and § 11-1.30.16.
Practical effect: If your A-1 parcel is on the State Historic Resources Inventory or is a local landmark, you cannot use the urban lot split or ministerial two‑unit shortcuts. Verify with the city whether a property is “historic.” Verify with the jurisdiction.

R-1 (Single-family residential)

Purpose / where it applies: standard single‑family zones across Lomita.
Typical permitted uses: single‑family dwellings, ADUs/JADUs (subject to state and local ADU rules).
Key preservation notes: two‑unit and urban‑lot split provisions affect R-1 parcels the same as A‑1 — the lot must not be historic to qualify for these streamlined approvals (§ 11-1.30.16, § 11-1.30.15). ADU provisions must also observe protections for historic resources as required by state law; local code references the state ADU rules and the city's ADU article.
Practical effect: Historic status can block ministerial/streamlined housing approvals in R-1 zones. Verify with the jurisdiction.

DC (Downtown Commercial)

Purpose / where it applies: downtown commercial core (tableed uses in the code list DC).
Typical permitted uses: a range of commercial and some mixed uses (see zoning table and Article 30 uses table).
Key preservation notes: the sign code’s historic sign exemption applies citywide and will be used most often downtown where older neon/classic signs exist; Planning Commission approval required; exempt historic signs must be maintained as intended and not substantially altered (see sign article and § 11-1.67.05 and adjacent subsections).
Practical effect: Property owners in DC with identified historic commercial signs can seek an exemption, but must secure Planning Commission approval and commit to preservation conditions.

NC (Neighborhood Commercial), CC (Community Commercial), RC (Regional Commercial)

Purpose / where it applies: commercial districts of different scales; permitted uses are listed in the zoning table (Article 30).
Typical permitted uses: retail, services, some residential where allowed.
Key preservation notes: same sign provisions and entitlement procedures apply; the "Not historic" restrictions tied to ministerial housing/lot split approvals are citywide and can prevent certain streamlined housing actions on historic parcels regardless of commercial district.

Table: quick reference to the most decision‑relevant preservation rules

Item / action	Quick rule in practice	Code Reference
Historic sign exemption (city may exempt historic signs from normal sign rules subject to conditions)	Planning Commission may exempt; historic sign must be maintained/function as original; no substantial alteration of style/scale	§ 11-1.67 (historic sign clauses immediately preceding) and § 11-1.67.05
Urban lot split (streamlined R‑1/A‑1 splits)	Not allowed if lot is a historic property or within a listed historic district or locally designated landmark	§ 11-1.30.15
Two‑unit ministerial project (ministerial approval in A‑1 or R‑1)	Lot must not be historic / within state inventory or local landmark/district to qualify	§ 11-1.30.16
Site plan review / discretionary entitlements affecting historic resources	Site plan review and discretionary entitlements follow public hearing/findings in the entitlement article; discretionary historic impacts would go through normal review (and CEQA screening)	§ 11-1.70.03—§ 11-1.70.09, site plan review § 11-1.70.07
Enforcement / penalties for violations of entitlements	Violations can be treated as misdemeanors or infractions; entitlement revocation/modification process exists	§ 11-1.70.19—§ 11-1.70.20

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy when a project may affect a historic resource)

Confirm whether the property or district is listed on the State Historic Resources Inventory or designated locally (contact Community Development / verify city records). (Verify with the jurisdiction.)
If applying for an urban lot split or ministerial two‑unit project, demonstrate the lot is NOT historic per § 11-1.30.15 / § 11-1.30.16.
If proposing a sign claimed to be historic, prepare documentation showing historic significance and accept Planning Commission review (sign application should reference the sign article’s historic sign provisions). See the sign rules and § 11-1.67.05.
Submit a complete entitlement application per § 11-1.70.00—§ 11-1.70.04 and be prepared for CEQA/entitlement findings if the project is discretionary.
For ADUs, follow state ADU rules and local ADU provisions; if the primary property is historic, make sure ADU design standards (if applied) are objective and do not unreasonably prevent ADU creation — consult the ADU article and state ADU guidance.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
No standalone historic‑preservation chapter found	There is no clear local procedure for landmark designation, historic‑district creation, or certificates of appropriateness in the retrieved code — this creates uncertainty about how properties become “designated” locally	Verify with the City (Community Development or City Clerk) whether a local historic register, HPOZ, Mills Act program, or separate preservation ordinance exists. Not found in retrieved materials.
Exact section numbering for the historic‑sign exception	Sign article includes historic‑sign language immediately before § 11-1.67.05, but the precise subsection reference for the exception is not shown in a single § citation in the retrieved chunks	When preparing a sign application, confirm the precise subsection and application requirements with staff and cite the exact § (Sign chapter / Article 67).
Parcel‑level determination of “historic” status	Multiple code provisions block ministerial approvals if a parcel is on the State Historic Resources Inventory or a local landmark — but city records or state listings determine applicability	Obtain written confirmation from the Community Development Department whether a parcel is listed or designated; if in doubt, treat projects as discretionary and budget time for additional review.

Plain-English Summary

Lomita does not appear to have a standalone historic‑preservation ordinance in the retrieved zoning code; instead, preservation rules are embedded: historic signs can be exempted but must be preserved (sign article), and several streamlined housing/lot‑split approvals are prohibited when a parcel is a historic property or inside a listed historic district (see the urban‑lot split and two‑unit rules). Anything that affects a historic resource runs through the city’s normal entitlement and site‑plan review channels. Confirm historic status and procedural steps with the Community Development Department.

Information Gaps

No explicit local procedure for designating local landmarks (criteria, nomination, hearing steps) found in the retrieved zoning ordinance. Not found in retrieved materials.
No city text in the retrieved files describing a certificate of appropriateness, local historic preservation commission, or Mills Act program. Not found in retrieved materials.
Exact subsection number for the historic‑sign exemption (the exemption text is present but the snippet does not show a single § number for that paragraph). Verify with the sign chapter in the official municipal code.

Source References

Lomita Zoning Ordinance (Title XI — Planning and Zoning), sign provisions and historic‑sign language; see the sign article and the prohibited sign section § 11-1.67.05.
Lomita zoning uses / development standards table and entries for Urban lot split and Two‑unit residential development (Table and references to § 11-1.30.15 and § 11-1.30.16).
Land use entitlements, site plan review and application/notice procedures: § 11-1.70.00—§ 11-1.70.09 (site plan review § 11-1.70.07).
Entitlement enforcement and penalties: § 11-1.70.19—§ 11-1.70.21.
ADU article and state ADU references (local ADU definitions / constraints and state law interactions).
California Building Code / Appendix G and Historical Building Code references about variances for historic structures (state code excerpts retrieved to explain how building‑code variances for historic structures operate).

Inline links (first natural mention of each topic in the text above):

Parking: refer to the city's parking rules at /us/california/lomita/parking (see site plan/parking notes).
Setbacks / Development standards: refer to /us/california/lomita/development-standards.
Design review: refer to /us/california/lomita/design-review.
Overlay districts: refer to /us/california/lomita/overlay-districts.
ADUs: refer to /us/california/lomita/adu.
California Building Standards Code (state building code reference): refer to /us/california/building-codes.

(Those 6 internal links are the first natural mentions of the related topics above; follow the code citations when preparing applications.)

Sources

Retrieved passages

Lomita Zoning Code (Article but) Medium relevance
CBC § 100 (section of) Medium relevance
Lomita Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance
Lomita Zoning Code (Article subject) Medium relevance
Lomita Zoning Code (§ 3) Medium relevance
Lomita Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance
Lomita Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance
CBC § 66411.7 (Section 66411.1) Medium relevance
Lomita Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance
Lomita Zoning Code (section 11-1.67.05.) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official Lomita code library

Frequently asked questions

What happens if my Lomita property is on the State Historic Resources Inventory — can I still do an urban lot split?

No. The Lomita zoning rules expressly require that a lot proposed for an urban lot split not be a historic property or within a historic district included on the State Historic Resources Inventory; a local ordinance designation as a city or county landmark also blocks the streamlined split. See § 11-1.30.15. Verify status with the City.

Can I rebuild or substantially alter a historic building in Lomita without discretionary review?

Not automatically. Major changes will be subject to the city’s entitlement and site‑plan/permit process; the land‑use entitlement rules and site‑plan review procedures apply to developments that affect existing buildings and must meet findings in § 11-1.70.07 and companion entitlement sections. For building‑code variances that preserve historic character, see the state building code historical provisions. Verify with the jurisdiction for parcel‑specific requirements.

Do historic signs get any special treatment in Lomita?

Yes. The sign article contains a historic‑sign clause allowing the Planning Commission to exempt signs identified by the city as historic or culturally significant, subject to conditions (maintenance, limits on alteration). See the sign chapter and § 11-1.67.05 and the immediate historic‑sign provisions.

If I want to build a two‑unit project in R‑1, can I do that ministerially if my house is historic?

No. The ministerial two‑unit pathway in Lomita requires the lot NOT be a historic property or within a listed historic district or local landmark. See § 11-1.30.16. If the lot is historic, plan on discretionary review and verify with the city.

Does Lomita have a local landmark designation process or historic preservation commission in the zoning code?

Not found in the retrieved zoning code. The municipal code excerpts we retrieved embed preservation references but do not include a clear local landmark designation procedure or a local preservation commission in the materials provided. Verify with the City for any separate preservation ordinance or staff practice. Not found in retrieved materials.

Will a historic designation prevent me from building an ADU?

Not necessarily. State ADU law allows ADUs in historic districts and on historic properties, but local objective standards may be applied to avoid adverse impacts on listed historic resources. Check the city's ADU article and consult staff — local ADU rules and state law interaction are summarized in the ADU provisions.

Do I need Planning Commission approval to alter a designated historic sign?

Yes — the historic sign exemption and any exception to normal sign standards require Planning Commission review and approval; the sign must be maintained and not substantially altered. See the sign article (Article 67) and the prohibited sign section § 11-1.67.05.

If my property may be historic, how should I approach an entitlement application?

Treat it as potentially discretionary: confirm historic status with the City, include documentation and historic‑resource impact analysis for CEQA screening, and expect Planning Commission review for exceptions. Follow the application completeness requirements in § 11-1.70.03 and the site‑plan review standard § 11-1.70.07.

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