Winters — Historic Preservation

Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

Winters locates its historic-preservation rules in Chapter 17.108 of the Winters Zoning Code (Title 17). The chapter creates a citywide cultural‑resource framework (designation, public hearing/appeal rules, and enforcement) and requires prior approval for exterior work in designated places; downtown properties are subject to additional, form‑based development standards. Expect mandatory design review for qualifying downtown projects and required certificates of approval for exterior changes to designated resources or properties inside a historic district. § 17.108 establishes the legal tests the Historic Preservation Commission uses when judging proposals.

(Note: first occurrence links below to related Winters pages for topics commonly needed during historic-preservation projects: zoning, development standards, design review, overlays, parking, ADUs, and the State building code.)

What the code actually requires (summary of key provisions)

• Purpose: Preserve and protect historic buildings, cultural resources, landmarks, natural features and other historically significant resources. § 17.108.010.
• Designation: Cultural resources, landmarks and historic districts are designated by the City Council following a commission study and public hearing; designation criteria are listed in § 17.108.020. Historic District One is expressly designated and geographically described in § 17.108.020(B)(2).
• Permit/approval required: A Certificate of Approval from the Historic Preservation Commission is required before undertaking construction, demolition, moving, alteration affecting exterior appearance, land‑use changes that affect exteriors, or sign work within a historic district or on a designated cultural resource. § 17.108.040.
• Procedure: Applications are filed with the Community Development Department and referred to the commission; the commission must hold a hearing and act within 30 days (or the application is deemed approved unless time is extended). § 17.108.050(D).
• Decision criteria: The commission weighs historic/architectural significance, compatibility of proposed exterior design/materials, relationship to the surrounding area, and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. § 17.108.060.
• Special considerations & hardship: Approvals must ensure no detrimental alteration of significant exterior features; the commission may nonetheless approve work if it finds public‑safety hazards, undue economic hardship (see § 17.108.150), or broader public benefit as enumerated in § 17.108.070.
• Ordinary maintenance exception: Painting, routine maintenance/repair and ordinary maintenance that does not change design/material are exempt. § 17.108.080 and § 17.108.100.
• Enforcement & penalties: The building official enforces the chapter; civil/criminal penalties and nuisance abatement procedures apply for violations. § 17.108.110–.130.
• State code interplay: The State Historic Building Code (California Administrative Code, Title 24, Part 8) applies for permitting repairs/alterations required to preserve historic buildings. Verify Title 24 applicability for structural/permit details. § 17.108.110.

(First time I mention these related topics they are linked for convenience: Winters Zoning, Winters Development Standards, Winters Design Review, Winters Overlay Districts, Winters Parking, Winters ADUs, California Building Standards Code.)

District-by-district breakdown (Historic-preservation–relevant districts)

Historic District One

• Purpose: City‑designated area intended to preserve a distinct section of the city with special historical or architectural interest. § 17.108.020(B).
• Where it applies: The code identifies Main Street, between Railroad Avenue and First Street, plus the southwest corner of Abbey Street and First Street, as Historic District One; the ordinance references a map that is part of the chapter. § 17.108.020(B)(2).
• Typical permitted uses: The preservation chapter does not rewrite base zoning uses; underlying zoning and land‑use regulations continue to govern allowed uses, but any activity that affects exterior appearance requires a Certificate of Approval under § 17.108.040. Verify underlying parcel zoning. § 17.108.040.
• Key standards that directly affect projects: No demolition, exterior alteration, relocation or sign placement that affects exterior appearance without commission approval; ordinary maintenance is exempt. § 17.108.040, § 17.108.080, § 17.108.100.

Downtown Form-Based Districts — D-A (Downtown‑A) and D-B (Downtown‑B)

• Purpose: Preserve and protect the historic, pedestrian‑oriented downtown character; the form‑based code focuses on building form, setbacks, and streetscape to ensure compatibility with historic downtown. § 17.58.010–.015.
• Where it applies: Properties mapped to the downtown master plan area and assigned the D‑A or D‑B zone on the regulating plan. § 17.58.015.
• Typical permitted uses: The form‑based code lists allowed uses and identifies which uses need a Conditional Use Permit in 17.58.050 (refer to the zoning/use table in Chapter 17.58 and underlying zoning rules). § 17.58.015 (applicability) directs that uses are governed by the D‑A/D‑B rules.
• Key dimensional standards: Mandatory conformance to the form‑based standards; maximum height generally 45 ft in downtown and a maximum residential intensity of 20 dwelling units per acre; street‑front build‑to lines and other form metrics are enforced through the regulating plan and design review. § 17.58.060(A)–(B).
• Design review: All qualifying projects within D‑A and D‑B are subject to design review prior to building permit (see § 17.58.015 and the general design review criteria in § 17.36.040). § 17.58.015; § 17.36.040.

(If a parcel sits inside both Historic District One and the downtown form‑based area, both Chapter 17.108 and Chapter 17.58 requirements apply; verify overlapping rules with the Community Development Department. Verify with the jurisdiction.)

Decision‑relevant standards and actions (quick reference table)

Checklist

• Confirm whether property is a designated structure, designated site, or lies within Historic District One (see § 17.108.020(B)(2)).
• Determine underlying zoning (D‑A / D‑B or another zone) and the regulating plan/street frontage that applies; consult Chapter 17.58 if in downtown.
• Prepare application package per Historic Preservation Commission rules (photos, elevations, materials, scope) and file with Community Development. § 17.108.050(A–C).
• Check whether the proposed work triggers Certificate of Approval (new structures, demolition, moving, alteration that affects exterior, land‑use changes or signs). § 17.108.040.
• For downtown projects, confirm mandatory conformance with form‑based development standards and schedule design review as required. § 17.58.015; § 17.36.040.
• Address Secretary of the Interior's Standards in project documentation where practicable. § 17.108.060(D).
• If the property is unsafe, coordinate with the building official about public‑safety procedures (the code allows safety exceptions). § 17.108.100.

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

If your house or building is listed as a landmark, designated cultural resource, or sits inside Historic District One, you cannot change its exterior, demolish it, move it, or put up signs that affect appearance without a Certificate of Approval from the Historic Preservation Commission; the Commission decides based on historic significance and compatibility and uses the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards as a guide. Ordinary painting and routine repairs are allowed; downtown properties also must meet the form‑based design standards (height, build‑to lines, etc.). § 17.108.040–.060; § 17.58.060.

Source References

• Winters Municipal Code, Chapter 17.108 (Historical Preservation): § 17.108.010 – § 17.108.150 (purpose, definitions, designation procedure, certificate requirement, permit procedure, criteria, exceptions, enforcement, penalties, hardship).
• Designation of Historic District One (description of bounds): § 17.108.020(B)(2).
• Downtown form‑based code (D‑A / D‑B): Chapter 17.58 — purpose, applicability, development standards (including maximum 45 ft height and 20 du/acre density). § 17.58.010 – § 17.58.060.
• Design review criteria and process: § 17.36.040 and design‑review applicability references in § 17.58.015.

Retrieved passages

• Winters Zoning Code (§ 4) High relevance show source text
• Winters Zoning Code (§ 4) High relevance show source text
• Winters Zoning Code (§ 4) High relevance show source text
• Winters Zoning Code (§ 17.104.030.) High relevance show source text
• Winters Zoning Code (§ 4) High relevance show source text
• Winters Zoning Code (section of) High relevance show source text
• Winters Zoning Code (§ 4) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 4 (§ 4) High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Winters Municipal Code, Chapter **17.108** (Historical Preservation): **§ 17.108.010 – § 17.108.150** (purpose, definitions, designation procedure, certificate requirement, permit procedure, criteria, exceptions, enforcement, penalties, hardship). (§ 17.108.010)
• Designation of **Historic District One** (description of bounds): **§ 17.108.020(B)(2)**. (§ 17.108.020)
• Downtown form‑based code (D‑A / D‑B): **Chapter 17.58** — purpose, applicability, development standards (including maximum **45 ft** height and **20 du/acre** density). **§ 17.58.010 – § 17.58.060**. (Chapter 17.58)
• Design review criteria and process: **§ 17.36.040** and design‑review applicability references in **§ 17.58.015**. (§ 17.36.040)
• Winters_ZoningCode.md

• Official Winters code library