Local zoning · San Leandro

San Leandro — Historic Preservation

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

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

San Leandro regulates historic preservation through the L Landmark Overlay District framework in the Zoning Code (Chapter 3.28). The L Overlay protects identified landmarks and landmark districts by adding an “-L” designator to the base zoning, requiring a Landmark District Conservation Plan for district designations, and routing review through the Planning Commission (with Library–Historical Commission involvement) before permits may be issued for affected properties. See the ordinance purpose and basic rules in § 3.28.100 and the overlay applicability in § 3.28.104 .

San Leandro’s code treats the L Overlay as an overlay that supplements the base zoning rules (the base district’s uses and development standards apply except where the conservation plan or overlay ordinance modifies them) and establishes special procedures for designation, review, and maintenance of historic resources. See § 3.28.108 and § 3.28.120 for how the overlay interacts with base districts and what a conservation plan must include .

Note: This page covers only what the San Leandro Zoning Code says about historic preservation (landmark/landmark-district procedures and the L Overlay). For related topics such as building construction standards, consult the California Building Standards Code.

How San Leandro’s historic-preservation rules work (quick synthesis)

The city establishes an L Landmark Overlay District to protect groups of properties or individual structures that meet historic or architectural criteria; the overlay is shown by adding an “-L” after the base district designation § 3.28.104 .
Areas qualify for an L designation if they meet one or more criteria (heritage value, association with significant people/events, architectural importance, archaeological potential, etc.) listed in § 3.28.112 .
A proposed L district requires a Landmark District Conservation Plan prepared with Development Services; the Plan must include boundaries, significance statements, and specific design and review rules (§ 3.28.120) .
Individual buildings can be designated as landmarks using the same criteria; landmarks are subject to the same review as L districts (§ 3.28.116) .
The Planning Commission (and City Council) hold public hearings and the Library–Historical Commission reviews applications; property-owner-initiated L District petitions require signatures from owners of 51 percent of the land area in the proposed district (§ 3.28.124) .
The Planning Commission may permit exceptions to base-district standards when necessary to preserve or restore a historic resource (use permits for exceptions) § 3.28.108(A) .
The Building Official must not issue permits for construction, alteration, enlargement, or demolition in an L District or for a designated landmark except in accordance with the adopted L Overlay and approved Landmark District Conservation Plan (§ 3.28.136) .

Practical note: design, site, parking, signage, and many other routine items still follow the base district rules; where the conservation plan conflicts with base district rules the conservation plan governs. For typical development rules consult the city’s San Leandro Development Standards and San Leandro Zoning.

District-by-district breakdown (how the L Overlay sits above common San Leandro districts)

The L Overlay may be combined with any base district by adding an “-L” suffix; below are the base districts most commonly encountered with historic resources. For each, I list the code sections you must consult for the numeric standards because the L Overlay does not itself restate base-district dimensions.

RS (Single-Family Residential)

Purpose: Single-family residential zoning; see the R-district development regulations and site plan standards in the Zoning Code (residential development rules appear in the R-district articles) § 2.04.300 et seq. .
Typical permitted uses: single-family dwellings and accessory uses as specified for R districts; accessory dwelling units are subject to state ADU law and local ADU rules (see § references for ADUs in the Code) — consult the City’s ADU page for procedure San Leandro ADUs.
Key dimensional standards: Not restated in the L Overlay; see § 2.04.300 (property development regulations—residential districts) for setbacks, lot coverage, and related standards .
Where it applies: The L Overlay can be applied to any RS parcel that meets the criteria in § 3.28.112; when combined the parcel’s zoning becomes RS-L (map note) § 3.28.104 .

RD / RM (Two-family and Multi-family Residential)

Purpose: Medium- and higher-density residential uses; specific regulations are in the R-district articles § 2.04.300 et seq. .
Typical permitted uses: duplexes, multi-family apartments, accessory uses per the RM/RD articles. For site review standards see the Site Plan Review and Design Criteria chapters (e.g., § 5.12.124 standards) .
Key dimensional standards: See the RM/RD district sections for lot area, coverage, height, and setbacks (numerical limits not repeated in the L Overlay) § 2.04.300 .
Where it applies: An RM or RD parcel designated as historic is shown as RM-L or RD-L on the zoning map; development remains subject to RM/RD rules unless the Conservation Plan modifies them § 3.28.108 .

CN (Neighborhood Commercial) and CC (Community Commercial)

Purpose: Commercial activity serving neighborhood or community needs; property development standards for CC, CN, and other commercial districts are collected in § 2.08.300 et seq. .
Typical permitted uses: small retail, professional services, eating establishments, etc., as set for each commercial district in the use tables (see the base-district use sections) § 2.08.300 .
Key dimensional standards: Consult § 2.08.300 for commercial property development regulations (setbacks, coverage, parking standards). Parking demand is reviewed during permit processing; see the City’s San Leandro Parking guidance.
Where it applies: When combined with -L the parcel becomes CN-L or CC-L; the Conservation Plan may specify additional design controls to preserve streetscape character § 3.28.120 .

DA-1 / Downtown and Transit-Oriented Districts (DA-1, DA-2, DA-3, DA-4, DA-6)

Purpose: Downtown/transit-oriented development with tailored design guidelines; referenced design guidelines are used for site review § 2.08.300 (Downtown TOD strategy referenced) .
Typical permitted uses: Mixed-use, residential, retail, and institutional uses consistent with Downtown strategy; subject to DA-specific design guidelines.
Key dimensional standards: Reviewers use DA design guidelines plus the base district property development regulations; L Overlay’s Conservation Plan may supersede or add to guidelines to protect historic character § 3.28.108 and § 3.28.120 .
Where it applies: Downtown parcels with historic resources may be rezoned to DA-1-L, etc., via the map-amendment procedures.

OS (Open Space) and PS (Public/Quasi-Public)

Purpose: Protect open space or public uses; may include landscapes or natural features with heritage value. Criteria for L designation explicitly include natural environment integrity and archaeological potential § 3.28.112 .
Typical permitted uses: Parks, community facilities, conservation uses as defined in the OS/PS district rules.
Key dimensional standards: See OS/PS sections and general development standards; the Conservation Plan governs where conflicts arise § 3.28.108 .

PD (Planned Development)

Purpose: Allows project-level tailoring of standards and can encourage preservation of serviceable historic structures (§ 3.04.100(F) recognizes preservation in the PD context) .
Typical permitted uses: Project-specific mix determined at PD approval.
Key dimensional standards: Set by the Planned Development Concept Plan and PD ordinance; PD may specifically authorize adaptive reuse or altered standards to conserve historic structures § 3.04.116 and § 3.04.108 .
Where it applies: PD overlay is shown as PD following the base district; a PD can include explicit preservation conditions and may be used in conjunction with the -L overlay where appropriate.

Most decision-relevant standards and actions (at-a-glance)

Topic	Typical rule in San Leandro	Code Reference
L Overlay purpose	Establish preservation, deter demolition, promote conservation and tailored development through a Conservation Plan	§ 3.28.100
Overlay map label	Add -L to the base district designation on zoning map	§ 3.28.104
Criteria to designate	Heritage value, architecture, association with events/people, archaeological potential, etc.	§ 3.28.112
Conservation Plan required	Map/boundaries, significance statement, list of design-review triggers, performance guidelines, review rules	§ 3.28.120
Who can initiate	Planning Commission, City Council, or owners of 51% of land area in proposed district	§ 3.28.124
Public review process	Library–Historical Commission review, neighborhood workshop option, Planning Commission and City Council hearings	§ 3.28.128
Building permits	Building Official cannot issue permits for construction/alteration/demolition in an L District or for a landmark except as allowed under the L Overlay and approved Plan	§ 3.28.136
Maintenance obligation	Owners must maintain structures/premises in good repair	§ 3.28.140
Exceptions for preservation	Planning Commission may grant use-permit exceptions to base-district rules when necessary to preserve historic resources	§ 3.28.108(A)
CEQA for discretionary approvals	Landmark district and related discretionary approvals trigger environmental review unless exempt	§ 5.04.124

Checklist (what an applicant must prepare / expect)

Prepare a Landmark District Conservation Plan with Development Services that includes map/boundaries, statement of significance, list of alterations subject to design review, performance guidelines, and rules for design review (§ 3.28.120) .
If a property-owner petition, collect signatures from owners of 51 percent of the land area in the proposed district and pay application fees (§ 3.28.124) .
For an individual landmark, prepare location map, exterior photos/plans, significance statement, and the owner’s consent unless the city initiates (§ 3.28.124(C)) .
Expect Library–Historical Commission review, possible neighborhood workshop, Planning Commission and City Council hearings with required notice (§ 3.28.128) .
Anticipate CEQA review for discretionary approvals (zoning map amendment, landmark adoption, Conservation Plan) (§ 5.04.124) .
Understand the Building Official will not issue building permits for demolition/alteration unless actions comply with the L Overlay and the adopted Conservation Plan (§ 3.28.136) .
If necessary to preserve a resource, be prepared to apply for a Planning Commission use permit for exceptions to base-district standards (§ 3.28.108(A)) .
Provide documentation of proposed signs, parking changes, or landscaping consistent with the Conservation Plan; standard city procedures for signage, parking, landscaping and screening still apply unless the Conservation Plan says otherwise.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Scope of numeric development standards under an L Overlay	The L Overlay defers to the base district for numerical standards but the Conservation Plan may govern where conflicts arise § 3.28.108	Verify whether the adopted Conservation Plan modifies setbacks, heights, parking counts, or coverage for your parcel; review the adopted Plan and base-district sections § 2.04.300 / § 2.08.300
Building permits blocked until L approvals	The Building Official cannot issue permits contrary to the L Overlay/Plan § 3.28.136	Confirm permit hold rules and timing with Building & Development Services for demolition, alterations, or ADUs that affect historic fabric; Verify with the jurisdiction.
Whether a proposed ADU is subject to design review	ADU rules intersect with historic-preservation controls; state law allows reasonable objective standards to avoid adverse impacts on historic resources (local ADU rules may apply)	Check the local ADU ordinance and Conservation Plan; consult San Leandro ADUs and the Conservation Plan; Verify with the jurisdiction.
CEQA obligations for district adoption or major alterations	Zoning map amendments and Conservation Plans are discretionary and may trigger environmental review § 5.04.124	Confirm whether an environmental document (ND, EIR) will be required early in the process.
Parcel-specific eligibility for L designation	Criteria for L districts are descriptive (historic, architectural, archaeological) § 3.28.112	Verify resource eligibility with Development Services or the Library–Historical Commission; Verify with the jurisdiction.
Nonconforming projects initiated before L adoption	Projects initiated before an L adoption may be treated as nonconforming and have protections or limits § 3.28.132 (projects initiated prior to effective date treated as nonconforming)	Confirm whether your project was “initiated” as defined by the Code and how nonconforming rules apply; check Chapter 4.20 on nonconforming uses § 4.20.124

Plain-English Summary

San Leandro’s historic-preservation tool is the L Landmark Overlay District (add “-L” to your zoning); designation requires a Conservation Plan, public hearings, and Library–Historical Commission review, and the city may withhold building permits for demolition or alteration until the L Overlay rules are satisfied — see § 3.28.100–§ 3.28.140 for the controlling rules .

Information Gaps

The Zoning Code excerpts retrieved list the procedural and overlay rules but do not reproduce the base-district numeric tables (setbacks, heights, lot coverage) for every district in full. For numerical standards see the district-specific articles referenced (e.g., § 2.04.300 for R districts and § 2.08.300 for commercial districts) — numeric values not found in the retrieved excerpts .
The uploaded materials show procedural sections and references to design guidelines (Downtown TOD, East 14th Street) but do not include the text of any adopted Landmark District Conservation Plan or a published list of existing L Districts/landmarks. Confirm adopted Conservation Plans and the zoning map with Development Services. (Verify with the jurisdiction.)
Specific interactions between the local ADU ordinance and the L Overlay are not included in the retrieved snippets; consult the local ADU ordinance and state ADU law for details (see San Leandro ADUs and California ADU law). Not found in retrieved materials.

Source References

San Leandro Zoning Code, Chapter 3.28, L Landmark Overlay District (purpose, applicability, overlay mapping, land-use regulations): § 3.28.100; § 3.28.104; § 3.28.108 .
San Leandro Zoning Code, L District criteria and landmark designation rules: § 3.28.112; § 3.28.116 .
Conservation Plan requirements: § 3.28.120 .
Application initiation, signatures, and application contents for districts and landmarks: § 3.28.124; review procedures § 3.28.128 .
Building permit restriction and maintenance obligations for L Districts and landmarks: § 3.28.136; § 3.28.140 .
Exceptions to base-district regulations for preservation (use-permit exceptions): § 3.28.108(A) .
Site plan review and design standards (applicable to residential alterations in review): § 5.12.124 .
CEQA and discretionary approvals: § 5.04.124 .
Base-district development regulation references (residential and commercial districts): § 2.04.300; § 2.08.300 .

(Ordinance text downloaded from the City of San Leandro Code / eCode360 as supplied in the provided materials.)

Sources

Retrieved passages

San Leandro Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance
San Leandro Zoning Code (§ 3.28.120) High relevance
San Leandro Zoning Code (section to) High relevance
San Leandro Zoning Code (§ 3.28.100.) High relevance
San Leandro Zoning Code (§ 3.24.120.) High relevance
San Leandro Zoning Code (§ 5.12.124) High relevance
San Leandro Zoning Code (Chapter 3.34) Medium relevance
San Leandro Zoning Code (chapter shall) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official San Leandro code library

Frequently asked questions

What triggers an L Landmark Overlay designation in San Leandro?

An area becomes eligible if it meets one or more criteria such as heritage value, association with a significant event or person, architectural significance, archaeological potential, or related natural integrity; these criteria are listed in § 3.28.112 .

Who can initiate an L District or landmark designation?

A designation can be initiated by the Planning Commission, the City Council, or property owners representing 51 percent of the land area within the proposed district; see § 3.28.124 for initiation and application requirements .

What must a Landmark District Conservation Plan contain?

The Plan must include a map and boundaries, a statement of architectural/historical significance, a list of alterations subject to design review, performance guidelines for new construction/alterations, and proposed rules for design review (§ 3.28.120) .

Will the city prevent demolition while an L District is being considered?

Yes—if an L Overlay is adopted or when a property is a designated landmark, the Building Official must follow the L Overlay and approved Conservation Plan before issuing permits for demolition, alteration, or enlargement (§ 3.28.136) .

Can the Planning Commission allow exceptions to zoning standards to save a historic building?

Yes—the Code explicitly allows the Planning Commission to grant a use permit for exceptions to the base-district regulations when necessary to permit preservation or restoration of a historic or architecturally significant resource (§ 3.28.108(A)) .

Do historic overlays change setback, height, or parking numbers automatically?

No—the L Overlay defers to the base district’s numeric standards unless the Conservation Plan or adopting ordinance modifies them; where conflicts occur the Conservation Plan governs (§ 3.28.108). For exact numbers consult the base-district sections (e.g., § 2.04.300 for R districts, § 2.08.300 for commercial) .

Is design review required for changes to a building in an L District?

Yes—Conservation Plans must list specific alterations that are subject to design review; typical site-plan and design-review standards (for neighborhoods and downtown areas) are enforced through the normal review process and the Conservation Plan § 3.28.120 and § 5.12.124 .

Can ADUs be built on properties in a historic district in San Leandro?

ADUs are allowed but may be subject to objective standards intended to avoid adverse impacts on historic resources. The local ADU rules and the Conservation Plan (if adopted) determine applicable standards — check the city ADU rules and the Plan; material on ADU-state interaction is not fully included in the retrieved excerpts (Verify with the jurisdiction) .

Will a Conservation Plan override base zoning rules?

Where the Conservation Plan conflicts with the base district, the Conservation Plan requirements govern for properties inside an L District § 3.28.108 . Always confirm the adopted Plan text for parcel-specific controls.

Do adopted historic-designation decisions trigger environmental review?

Yes—landmark or L District designations and other discretionary approvals are subject to CEQA unless specifically exempt; see § 5.04.124 for environmental-review triggers .

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