Historic homes in Yolo County: the local rules

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

What Yolo County's code says

Yolo County code What Yolo County's code adds
Changing a historic home	Design review is required for future construction or exterior alterations. Applies: Historic landmarks. § 8-11.105 · code text Future construction or exterior alterations to historic landmarks will require design review by either the Planning, Public Works and Environmental Services Department staff or the Historic Preservation Commission. Historic Preservation Commission review. Applies: Repairs to replace or replicate original architecture, resurfacing exterior walls, or additions or alterations to porches costing more than $500. § 8-11.105 · code text The following projects which affect the exterior appearance of the structure shall be reviewed by the Historic Preservation Commission, if the estimate and construction cost is in excess of Five Hundred and no/100ths ($500.00) Dollars: repairs to replace or replicate original architecture; surfacing or re-surfacing exterior walls; additions or alterations to porches. Historic Preservation Commission review and a building permit are required. Applies: Room additions to historic structures. § 8-11.105 · code text The following item requires review by the Historic Preservation Commission and will require a building permit: room additions to historic structures.
Demolishing an older or historic home	An application is required. Applies: Demolishing a designated historic landmark or any structure within a designated historic district. § 8-11.106 · code text A property owner who desires to construct, move, remove or demolish a designated historic landmark or any structure within a designated historic district shall file an application with the Planning, Public Works and Environmental Services Department upon a form prescribed by the County. The Commission may approve the demolition or stay it up to 90 days to seek an alternative. Applies: The Commission may stay an application for demolition to seek an alternative to demolition. § 8-11.107 · code text The Commission may approve an application for demolition or stay the application for a period up to ninety (90) days in order to seek an alternative to demolition.
Work that needs no review	House painting; routine maintenance or repair; landscaping including sprinkler system work; flat concrete work; all interior alterations; screens and awnings. Applies: Exempt from the article, subject to confirmation of conformity before issuance of a building permit. § 8-11.105 · code text The following items are exempt from this article. Prior to issuance of a building permit for any of these items, the Planning, Public Works and Environmental Services Department shall confirm conformity of the project with these exclusions: house painting; routine maintenance or repair; landscaping including sprinkler system work; flat concrete work; all interior alterations; and screens and awnings.

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Frequently asked questions

What rules apply to a historic home in Yolo County?

Yolo County's code: Design review is required for future construction or exterior alterations. (Historic landmarks.) (§ 8-11.105); Historic Preservation Commission review. (Repairs to replace or replicate original architecture, resurfacing exterior walls, or additions or alterations to porches costing more than $500.) (§ 8-11.105).

Historic homes in Yolo County

What Yolo County's code says

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