Historic buildings are some of the most important structures in California. They are also very expensive to be built and maintained. If you want to preserve this historic landmark, you must know its building code.

California has more than 3,000 buildings and registered historic sites. These include museums, libraries, parks and other public spaces. Many of them are protected under state history resources (HRA). HRA requires historic property owners to register their property with the State History Preservation Office (SHPO) and obtain permission before carrying out construction projects or renovations.

To ensure compliance with HRA, historic property owners must follow the requirements described in the California building code (CBC). This code sets specific guidelines for designing, building and maintaining historic buildings. That includes:

• A mandatory standard set that applies to all new construction;
• Specific rules for improvement, change and renovation projects;
• Guidelines for preservation, restoration, and reuse of adaptive from historical properties; and
• The standard for historical restoration.

In this blog post, we will discuss the basics of California’s historic conservation law and regulations, along with more detailed information about the topic. We will discuss California’s historic site registration law, the appointment of historic landmarks, and more.

California Historic Building Preservation Laws and Regulations

Under California Historical Resources Law, all historic property owners must document their site. They also have to keep notes related to their history. The owner must provide this documentation when submitting a residential certificate, registering a construction permit, obtaining a federal grant, or participating in a government-sponsored inheritance program.

CBC only applies to historic sites in the state. Although it does not regulate the physical condition of non-historical properties that exist, it affects how these properties can be changed. For example, if you plan to destroy old houses, you must follow CBC and submit an application with county recorders. You also need to tell local officials who have land side by side. Failure to do so can result in a fine or even confiscation of your property.

Under CBC, three buildings qualified as historic historical resources, which were registered with historic landmarks, and qualified historical places. Historically significant buildings are considered “registered” regardless of whether they meet the criteria for the appointment as a historical resource “designated” or “meet the requirements”. CBC defines a historically significant building as built before 1923 and those containing at least one original structure built before 1881.

Designated Historic Resources

Each building that meets the above criteria can accept the appointment as “significant resources historically” (HSR). Some different factors must be considered when evaluating the proposed HSR. Among others are:

• His age;
• Architectural style and integrity;
• A period where it is used;
• Unique significance in architecture, landscape architecture, archaeology, art, cultural anthropology, social history, education, or other fields of human knowledge;
• His contribution to the community, including his ability to interpret past experience; and,
• It’s potential for future use or interpretation.

Listed Historical Landmarks

To protect many historical structures of the country, CBC creates three different levels to identify and protect them. At one end of the sitting spectrum “registered”, the most protective rate. Under this system, property owners can request to register landmarks with the country and then submit a special compliance certificate. This allows the affected owner to obtain certain elements certification of design, material, and/or the exterior view of their buildings.

After certified, this increase receives protection under state law of change, destruction, or removal without proper authorization. The owner must pay a fee to receive a listing as a “registered” landmark and can choose to delete any changes made after receiving certification.

Eligible Historic Places

Finally, there are categories known as “a historical place that meets the requirements.” Historic places that meet the requirements are similar to registered landmarks but require less detailed documentation and evidence of authenticity. If CBC determines that your structure meets the strict criteria needed to secure this lower protection, you can proceed to process your permission.

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