Historic homes in Ventura County: the local rules

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

What Ventura County's code says

Ventura County code What Ventura County's code adds
Changing a historic home	Get a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Cultural Heritage Board before work or permits, or file and wait. Applies: Maintenance, alteration, addition, change of use, subdivision or relocation of a potential or designated Cultural Heritage Site. § 1371-2 · code text Prior to commencement or receipt of necessary permits for maintenance, alteration, restoration, rehabilitation, remodeling, addition, change of use, demolition, subdivision, or relocation of potential or designated Cultural Heritage Sites, as set forth in Section 1371-1, the property owner shall have: A Certificate of Review is needed for a permit that affects exterior character-defining features or integrity (not for demolition). Applies: Sites of Merit or Potential Cultural Heritage Sites that do not need a Certificate of Appropriateness. § 1372 · code text This Section applies only to Sites of Merit or Potential Cultural Heritage Sites for which a permit application is received to construct, change, alter, modify, or remodel in a manner that affects the exterior character-defining features or integrity of the site.
Demolishing an older or historic home	Get a Certificate of Appropriateness before demolition, or file and wait the code's time. Applies: Potential or designated Cultural Heritage Site. § 1371-2 · code text Prior to commencement or receipt of necessary permits for maintenance, alteration, restoration, rehabilitation, remodeling, addition, change of use, demolition, subdivision, or relocation of potential or designated Cultural Heritage Sites, as set forth in Section 1371-1, the property owner shall have:
Mills Act tax incentive	Owners may enter into Historical Property Contracts to reduce property taxes. Applies: Qualified historic properties in unincorporated Ventura County designated Landmark or District Contributor under the required procedures. § 1370-1 · code text allowing the approval of Historical Property Contracts by establishing a uniform procedure for the owners of qualified historic properties within unincorporated Ventura County to enter into contracts with the County for purposes of reducing property taxes. The contract term is at least 10 years, renewing automatically each year on the anniversary. Applies: Mills Act historical property contract, unincorporated Ventura County. § 1370-1 · code text The contract term shall be ten (10) years minimum, with automatic renewal yearly on the anniversary of the contract date;

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Frequently asked questions

What rules apply to a historic home in Ventura County?

Ventura County's code: Get a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Cultural Heritage Board before work or permits, or file and wait. (Maintenance, alteration, addition, change of use, subdivision or relocation of a potential or designated Cultural Heritage Site.) (§ 1371-2); A Certificate of Review is needed for a permit that affects exterior character-defining features or integrity (not for demolition). (Sites of Merit or Potential Cultural Heritage Sites that do not need a Certificate of Appropriateness.) (§ 1372).

Historic homes in Ventura County

What Ventura County's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

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