Historic homes in Whittier: the local rules

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

What Whittier's code says

Whittier code What Whittier's code adds
Changing a historic home	certificate of appropriateness from the commission is not required prior to issuance of a building permit Applies: alterations, restorations, rehabilitations, remodeling and additions to historic resources are in substantial accord with the guidelines, with no significant change in appearance or restoration of period features § 18.84.180 · code text When alterations, restorations, rehabilitations, remodeling and additions to historic resources are accomplished in substantial accord with the guidelines set forth in this section, as determined by the secretary, a certificate of appropriateness from the commission is not required prior to issuance of a building permit.
Demolishing an older or historic home	The commission may require a forty-five-day review period to look for alternatives to demolition or relocation Applies: demolition or off-site relocation in the historic district this chapter covers, when the certificate is not issued under Section 18.87.070 § 18.87.090 · code text the commission may require a forty-five-day review period for the purpose of providing time to explore alternatives to the removal of the structure The commission may extend the stay to a total of one hundred eighty days if more time is needed to preserve the structure Applies: demolition or off-site relocation in the historic district this chapter covers; the stay ends if preservation is found not feasible § 18.87.090 · code text the commission may impose an additional stay on issuance of the certificate not to exceed a total of one hundred eighty days. demolition approval shall not adversely impact or compromise the historic integrity of the Earlham historic district Applies: Earlham historic district; designated landmark, eligible or contributing historic resources § 18.86.090 · code text In no case shall the approval of a demolition permit adversely impact or compromise the historic integrity of the Earlham historic district.
Work that needs no review	roofing Applies: no significant change in appearance occurs or the proposed change restores period features, and the work is accomplished in substantial accord with the guidelines § 18.84.180 · code text Those alterations may include, but are not limited to, the following, if no significant change in appearance occurs or the proposed change restores period features: A. Roofing; foundation Applies: no significant change in appearance occurs or the proposed change restores period features, and the work is accomplished in substantial accord with the guidelines § 18.84.180 · code text B. Foundation; chimney Applies: no significant change in appearance occurs or the proposed change restores period features, and the work is accomplished in substantial accord with the guidelines § 18.84.180 · code text C. Chimney; construction, demolition or alteration of side and rear yard fences Applies: no significant change in appearance occurs or the proposed change restores period features, and the work is accomplished in substantial accord with the guidelines § 18.84.180 · code text D. Construction, demolition or alteration of side and rear yard fences; demolition, alteration or reconstruction of front yard fences Applies: no significant change in appearance occurs or the proposed change restores period features, and the work is accomplished in substantial accord with the guidelines § 18.84.180 · code text E. Demolition, alteration or reconstruction of front yard fences; landscaping Applies: landmark designation does not specifically identify the landscape, layout, features, or elements as having particular historical, architectural, or cultural merit § 18.84.180 · code text F. Landscaping, unless the landmark designation specifically identifies the landscape, layout, features, or elements as having particular historical, architectural, or cultural merit; accessory structures or additions under five hundred square feet Applies: new construction follows the historic preservation and respective design guidelines, does not destroy significant architectural features, and is not visible from a public right-of-way § 18.84.180 · code text accessory structures or additions under five hundred square feet, when not visible from a public right-of-way
Mills Act tax incentive	eligible for Mills Act contracts Applies: designated historic landmarks, contributing structures in designated historic districts, or properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places or the California Register of Historic Resources § 18.84.300 · code text All designated historic landmarks, contributing structures in designated historic districts and properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places or the California Register of Historic Resources are eligible for Mills Act contracts minimum of ten years Applies: term of the Mills Act contract § 18.84.300 · code text The term of the contract shall be for a minimum of ten years.

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Frequently asked questions

What rules apply to a historic home in Whittier?

Whittier's code: certificate of appropriateness from the commission is not required prior to issuance of a building permit (alterations, restorations, rehabilitations, remodeling and additions to historic resources are in substantial accord with the guidelines, with no significant change in appearance or restoration of period features) (§ 18.84.180); The commission may require a forty-five-day review period to look for alternatives to demolition or relocation (demolition or off-site relocation in the historic district this chapter covers, when the certificate is not issued under Section 18.87.070) (§ 18.87.090).

Historic homes in Whittier

What Whittier's code says

Who this affects

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