Historic homes in Monterey County: the local rules

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

What Monterey County's code says

Monterey County code What Monterey County's code adds
Demolishing an older or historic home	180 days' prior written notice to the Resource Board, completed before a demolition permit application is complete Applies: Designated historic resource or a structure in a designated historic district § 18.25.190 · code text Demolition, wholly or partially, of a designated historic resource or a structure in a designated historic district is prohibited unless the property owner of such structure, or the Secretary, gives the Resource Board one hundred eighty days' prior written notice that such act is planned for such structure. The Review Board may waive the 180-day notice on request Applies: Emergency repair or removal of an unsafe condition, relocation to a site it approves, or relief of extreme financial hardship § 18.25.190 · code text The Review Board, upon the request of the property owner, or the Secretary, may waive the requirement of one hundred eighty (180) days' prior written notice, if the action planned involves: No prohibition or notice requirement Applies: Structure damaged by a natural disaster and presenting an imminent threat, or State Office of Historic Preservation determination allowing demolition, destruction or significant alteration § 18.25.190 · code text The prohibitions of Subsection A and B shall not apply to the demolition of a structure that has been damaged due to a natural disaster and the structure presents an imminent threat to the public of bodily harm or damage to adjacent property, or unless the State Office of Historic Preservation determines pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 5028, as amended, that the structure may be demolished, destroyed, or significantly altered.
Mills Act tax incentive	Eligible for a historic property contract Applies: The property is a qualified historical property and meets all the listed eligibility criteria § 18.28.080 · code text To be eligible for a historic property contract, the application must meet all of the following criteria: May be eligible for an exception to the valuation limits Applies: The property exceeds the valuation limits and meets the listed exception criteria § 18.28.080 · code text A property that exceeds the valuation limits set forth in Section 18.28.040.C of this Chapter may be eligible for an exception to the valuation limits if the following criteria are met:

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What rules apply to a historic home in Monterey County?

Monterey County's code: 180 days' prior written notice to the Resource Board, completed before a demolition permit application is complete (Designated historic resource or a structure in a designated historic district) (§ 18.25.190); The Review Board may waive the 180-day notice on request (Emergency repair or removal of an unsafe condition, relocation to a site it approves, or relief of extreme financial hardship) (§ 18.25.190).

Historic homes in Monterey County

What Monterey County's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

Ask about a specific Monterey County property

More on building on your lot in Monterey County