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Historic homes in Napa County

Napa County's own rules on historic homes, with the code text for every value.

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

What Napa County's code says

Napa County code What Napa County's code adds
When a building counts as historic
  • More than 50 years old
    Applies: Historical Resources seeking designation as Napa County Landmarks
    § 15.52.030 · code text
    designate existing Historical Resources as Napa County Landmarks if they meet one or more of the criteria established in subsection (C) of this section, are more than fifty years old, and retain their historic integrity
Changing a historic home
  • Commission review
    Applies: Proposed alterations not certified by a Qualified Preservation Professional as consistent with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards
    § 15.52.040 · code text
    Proposed alterations that are not certified by a Qualified Preservation Professional as consistent with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards shall be subject to review by the Commission
Demolishing an older or historic home
  • Commission review; authorized if no feasible alternative exists
    Applies: Proposed demolitions
    § 15.52.040 · code text
    Proposed demolitions shall be subject to review by the Commission concurrent with a request for removal of status pursuant to Section 15.52.050 and shall be authorized if no feasible alternative exists.
Mills Act tax incentive
  • Eligible for property tax reassessment after a Mills Act contract is executed
    Applies: Designated residential buildings, school houses and religious buildings
    § 15.52.037 · code text
    Residential buildings, school houses and religious buildings that have been designated as Napa County Landmarks shall be eligible for property tax reassessments following execution of a Mills Act contract.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What rules apply to a historic home in Napa County?

Napa County's code: More than 50 years old (Historical Resources seeking designation as Napa County Landmarks) (§ 15.52.030); Commission review (Proposed alterations not certified by a Qualified Preservation Professional as consistent with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards) (§ 15.52.040).

General information, not legal advice.

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