Loomis — Historic Preservation

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

Loomis' zoning ordinance (Title 13) does not implement a stand‑alone local "historic preservation" chapter, but several provisions explicitly protect historic and archaeological resources and build historic-character review into routine project review. The ordinance expresses a townwide purpose to conserve historic resources (§ 13.10.010) and requires aesthetic controls through design review for many downtown and nonresidential projects (§ 13.62.040). For practical project decisions you will rely most often on design review, zoning clearance, district development standards (set out in tables), and some targeted rules that reference protection of historic or archaeological resources. See Loomis’ zoning overview and the specific district rules for where historic‑area controls are most likely to apply: Loomis Zoning, Loomis Development Standards, and Loomis Design Review.

Key, ordinance‑based anchors for historic preservation in Loomis:

• Overall conservation purpose: § 13.10.010 .
• Design review that explicitly aims to "maintain and enhance the small‑town, historic, and rural character" of Loomis: § 13.62.040 .
• Construction/site protections for archaeological or historic resources (temporary fencing during construction): § 13.30.040 .
• ADU-specific exemptions (e.g., parking) when a property lies within an "architecturally and historically significant historic area": § 13.42.270 (Accessory Dwelling Units) and related ADU text .
• Zoning districts and downtown commercial standards where historic character is emphasized (Tables and district sections): § 13.20.020, Table 2‑1 and Table 2‑6 .

Below I synthesize how those pieces operate and where to look district‑by‑district.

How Loomis treats "historic preservation" in practice (short synthesis)

• There is no separate Loomis "landmark" or local historic register chapter found in the retrieved zoning materials. Not found in retrieved materials.
• Instead, Loomis embeds historic protection into: (1) the ordinance purpose, (2) design review (which is broad and downtown‑focused), (3) development standards and master development plan requirements for commercial/tourist districts that explicitly reference the "historic downtown" context, and (4) targeted operational controls (e.g., archaeology/temporary fencing, ADU parking exemptions). See § 13.10.010, § 13.62.040, § 13.26.040, § 13.30.040, and § 13.42.270 for the primary authorities.

District-by-district (where historic considerations matter)

Notes on format: each subsection names the district symbol used in the Loomis code (bolded), gives the district purpose as stated in the code, typical permitted uses (high‑level), the development standards most relevant to preserving historic character, and where the district is applied (map or map reference). Citations give the controlling code section or table.

CC — Central Commercial

• Purpose / context: the Central Commercial district is the town's downtown/commercial core and is treated as the district most directly tied to the town's historic downtown character in the ordinance (see commercial use table and purpose language stressing downtown identity). See Table 2‑6 and district keys. § 13.20.020, Table 2‑6.
• Typical permitted uses: retail, restaurants, artisan shops, galleries, mixed‑use residences above ground‑floor retail, civic uses and small museums (per Table 2‑6). Table 2‑6 lists most commercial allowances.
• Key standards that affect historic character: lower front setbacks / allowed projecting porches and restricted projections in the "downtown" variant (see Table 3‑3 setback projections specific note referencing downtown), stricter design review expectations, and limits on site coverage and building height that preserve scale. See Table 3‑3, Table 2‑5 and § 13.30.045 for downtown projection exceptions.
• Where it applies: shown on the town zoning map (Table 2‑1 / § 13.20.020). Historic‑character review is concentrated here through design review rules.

CG — General Commercial and CO — Office Commercial

• Purpose: serve broader commercial/office needs while transitioning to the downtown core; code ties site design to reinforcing Loomis' rural and historic vernacular (materials, low profiles) in master development plans. See Table 2‑6 and the CT master development plan language referencing "historic downtown". § 13.26.040 and Table 2‑6.
• Typical permitted uses: general retail, offices, small restaurants, services; new construction in these zones is subject to use permit requirements in some cases. Table 2‑6.
• Standards: design review applicability for nonresidential development (§ 13.62.040), site planning to preserve natural and historic features (master development plan standards), and landscaping/screening rules tied to local character.

CT — Tourist / Destination Commercial

• Purpose: accommodate visitor‑oriented uses while "tying into the historic downtown area to support the economic viability of the downtown." Master development plan and CT-specific limitations apply. See master development plan requirements and § 13.26.040 referencing historic downtown.
• Typical uses: traveler‑oriented retail/food, entertainment, and transitional uses toward more pedestrian‑scaled retail near downtown. See Table 2‑6.
• Standards: often require master development plan approval; the plan must demonstrate compatibility with nearby historic downtown character (materials, scale, buffers). See the master development plan rules § 13.62.070 and CT-specific text.

Residential Districts — RA, RE, RR, RS, RM, RH

• Purpose: preserve rural & small‑town residential character; the code states conserving "historic and environmental resources" is an explicit purpose. § 13.10.010 and Table 2‑3 RA/RE/RR development standards.
• Typical uses: single‑family dwellings, accessory structures, limited agricultural uses in RA/RE. See Table 2‑2 / 2‑3.
• Standards affecting historic fabric: minimum lot sizes, setbacks, height limits and lot coverage rules (Table 2‑3) that maintain existing scale; tree conservation also explicitly protects character (Chapter 13.54). Table 2‑3, § 13.54.010.

PD — Planned Development

• Purpose: used for large, complex projects that must achieve higher quality and preserve sensitive features (open space, historic/landscape elements) through a site‑specific master plan. § 13.29.010 sets the PD purpose and process.
• Typical uses: mixed uses as defined by the PD ordinance (set by the adopting ordinance number). § 13.29.030.
• Standards: a PD must include design measures that can be written to protect or highlight historic resources on a site; where historic resources exist a PD is the vehicle for negotiated protections. § 13.29.040 findings require compliance with design guidelines.

Most decision‑relevant code table

Checklist

• Confirm whether the property sits in CC, CT, or another district on the zoning map (§ 13.20.020) .
• Determine if the work is nonresidential or multifamily (triggers design review per § 13.62.040) .
• File for zoning clearance (ministerial) or the appropriate discretionary permit (minor use, use permit, or master development plan) per § 13.62.020 and Table 6‑1 for review authority .
• If work may affect archaeological or historic features, include plans for temporary protective fencing and obtain director approval (§ 13.30.040) .
• If adding an ADU, check § 13.42.270 for ADU parking exemptions in historic areas and objective ADU standards; flag whether the site is in an "architecturally and historically significant historic area" (§ 13.42.270) .
• Anticipate CEQA screening or mitigation for impacts to historic resources (§ 13.60.060) .
• Provide elevations and materials demonstrating compatibility with the downtown/historic vernacular (design review submittal per § 13.62.040) .
• Verify any tree preservation or landscape protections required (Chapter 13.54) to preserve setting.

(For procedural details see Loomis Design Review, Loomis Parking, and Loomis ADUs.)

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English Summary

Loomis does not operate a separate "landmark" chapter in the zoning code; rather, the town protects historic character primarily through the zoning ordinance's purpose language, district standards for downtown commercial areas, and a design review program that explicitly aims to preserve the small‑town and historic character of the community. If you're working on a downtown commercial property or altering a nonresidential building, expect design review and possibly CEQA/archaeological safeguards; ADU rules contain special exceptions when a site is in an "architecturally and historically significant historic area." Verify any formal local designation or boundary with the Planning Department—Not found in retrieved materials for a local landmark procedure.

Source References

• § 13.10.010 — Purpose; conservation of historic and environmental resources.
• § 13.62.040 — Design review purpose and applicability (explicit historic‑character standard).
• § 13.30.040 — Fences/walls; temporary fencing to protect archaeological or historic resources.
• § 13.42.270 — Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) provisions and exemptions; ADU parking exemptions referenced for architecturally/historically significant areas.
• § 13.20.020 and Table 2‑1 — Zoning districts and zoning map.
• Table 2‑6 (Commercial uses) and § 13.26.040 — CT/CO/CG district references including the tie to the historic downtown.
• § 13.62.020 — Zoning clearance procedures.
• § 13.60.060 — CEQA / environmental review requirement.
• Table 6‑1 (Review Authority) — who hears design review/use permits (director, commission, council).
• Chapter 13.54 — Tree conservation (protects setting/visual character).

(For the Loomis municipal code text excerpts used here see the uploaded Loomis_ZoningCode.md files referenced above.)

Retrieved passages

• Loomis Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text
• Loomis Zoning Code (title or) Medium relevance show source text
• CBC § 1 (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• Loomis Zoning Code (title or) Medium relevance show source text
• Loomis Zoning Code (Title 13.) Medium relevance show source text
• Loomis Zoning Code (title for) Medium relevance show source text
• CFC § 1 (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• Loomis Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• Loomis Zoning Code (§ 13.70.020.) Medium relevance show source text
• Loomis Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• CBC § 8 (SECTION 8-1001) Medium relevance show source text
• Loomis Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text
• Loomis Zoning Code (Title 13) Medium relevance show source text
• Loomis Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text
• Loomis Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• **§ 13.10.010** — Purpose; conservation of historic and environmental resources. (§ 13.10.010)
• **§ 13.62.040** — Design review purpose and applicability (explicit historic‑character standard). (§ 13.62.040)
• **§ 13.30.040** — Fences/walls; temporary fencing to protect archaeological or historic resources. (§ 13.30.040)
• **§ 13.42.270** — Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) provisions and exemptions; ADU parking exemptions referenced for architecturally/historically significant areas. (§ 13.42.270)
• **§ 13.20.020** and **Table 2‑1** — Zoning districts and zoning map. (§ 13.20.020)
• **Table 2‑6** (Commercial uses) and **§ 13.26.040** — CT/CO/CG district references including the tie to the historic downtown. (§ 13.26.040)
• **§ 13.62.020** — Zoning clearance procedures. (§ 13.62.020)
• **§ 13.60.060** — CEQA / environmental review requirement. (§ 13.60.060)
• Table 6‑1 (Review Authority) — who hears design review/use permits (director, commission, council).
• Chapter **13.54** — Tree conservation (protects setting/visual character).
• Loomis_ZoningCode.md
• 2025 California Residential Code.md
• 2025 California Existing Buildindg Code.md

• Official Loomis code library