Historic homes in Sacramento: the local rules

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

What Sacramento's code says

Sacramento code What Sacramento's code adds
When a building counts as historic	Buildings built at least 50 years before the application. Applies: Building or structure subject to a demolition or relocation permit application § 17.604.600 · code text If a permit is sought to demolish or relocate a building or structure that was constructed at least 50 years prior to the date of application for demolition or relocation
Demolishing an older or historic home	The permit application is referred to the preservation director for preliminary nomination review Applies: Building or structure built at least 50 years before the application and not listed, pending nomination, or reviewed within the past 3 years § 17.604.600 · code text If a permit is sought to demolish or relocate a building or structure that was constructed at least 50 years prior to the date of application for demolition or relocation, and that building or structure is not currently on the Sacramento register, is not the subject of a pending nomination, has not been nominated for listing on the official register or reviewed pursuant to this section within the past three years, the permit application shall be referred to the preservation director Review may be bypassed before the demolition permit is issued Applies: Immediately dangerous nominated or listed historic resource with no feasible alternative to abate an immediate and present threat to life, health or safety § 17.604.520 · code text if the building official determines that the building, structure or resource is immediately dangerous and that there is no feasible alternative to demolition to abate the immediate and present threat to life, health or safety of the public, the building official may issue a permit authorizing the demolition of the structure without complying with the consultation process

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Frequently asked questions

What rules apply to a historic home in Sacramento?

Sacramento's code: Buildings built at least 50 years before the application. (Building or structure subject to a demolition or relocation permit application) (§ 17.604.600); The permit application is referred to the preservation director for preliminary nomination review (Building or structure built at least 50 years before the application and not listed, pending nomination, or reviewed within the past 3 years) (§ 17.604.600).

Historic homes in Sacramento

What Sacramento's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

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