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About Historic Preservation

The City's overall preservation objectives identify historic and cultural resources, protect historic and cultural resources, and assist in the preservation, rehabilitation and awareness of historic and cultural resources.

Registers

Buildings and landmarks may be designated as historic with the City of Sacramento by three different registers:

1. National Register of Historic Places
2. California Register of Historic Resources
3. Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources (PDF - 36,864 KB)

If your property is listed in one of these registers, or appears within our historical preservation district maps, your building permit may be subject to a preservation review before being issued. There are also preservation-related resources available to assist you.

A Short History of Preservation in Sacramento

Program's Early Years

• Central City ("Old City") and building focus.
• Preservation Board merged with Architectural Review Board = Design Review & Preservation Board.
• 700+ landmarks designated.
• Almost 20 historic districts designated.

1975: City's first Preservation Ordinance adopted

• Recognition of need to preserve Sacramento's heritage and neighborhoods.
• Preparations for U.S.A. Bicentennial.

1996: Certified Local Government (CLG) Program Approved

• Local, State & Federal Partnership Program
• Preservation plan
• Local preservation ordinance
• Qualified historic preservation review commission
• Survey and inventory of historic/cultural resources
• Public participation
• Eligibility for planning matching grants

1997: Select Committee on Historic Preservation Recommendations

• Add preservation element to the City's General Plan, as City's preservation plan.
• Comprehensive update of the historic preservation chapter of the City Code per CLG guidelines for Preservation Ordinances.
• Begin Citywide surveys and inventory of historic resources.
• Develop incentives for preservation and rehabilitation of historic properties.

2000-2001: City Council Approves Current Regulations

• Historic Preservation Element added to the City's General Plan by City Council in 2000.
• Historic Preservation Chapter of the City Code revised, expanded and adopted by City Council in 2001. Improvements include eligibility criteria and rehabilitation standards consistent with state and federal criteria and standards.
• Incentives Program recommendations endorsed by City Council in 2001.

2007: Current Commissions Formed

The City Council created two new separate Commissions in January 2007: Design Commission and Preservation Commission.

• New policy orientation
• New streamlined project review thresholds
• Early notification, reconsideration, one appeal
• Zoning Code notice and hearings consistency