Alteration of Historic Landmarks

Building & Demolition Permits

Please do not alter or demolish your historic building until you have obtained proper permits. The City's goal is to preserve historic structures or sites for their historical, cultural or architectural significance. Rancho Cucamonga regulations require that a property owner obtain a building permit prior to altering an existing building. When an application is submitted to the Building & Safety Department, one of the first items verified is whether the building is listed on the City's Inventory of Historic Resources or whether the building is 50 years of age or older. If the structure is determined to be a Landmark, then a Certificate of Appropriateness must first be approved by the Historic Preservation Commission BEFORE any building permits can be issued.

Certificate of Appropriateness

A Certificate of Appropriateness is required whenever someone wants to make a material change, including demolition, on any designated Landmark. A material change is broadly defined as "any change in the exterior appearance of a structure or feature, through alteration, construction, relocation, grading, demolition or otherwise."

A list of projects which do not typically require review from the Planning Director or the Historic Preservation Commission:

  • Alterations to the interior of any structure, including designated structures.
  • Landscaping unless specifically designated.
  • Painting of a building.
  • Repair involving reconstruction or replacing in kind (i.e., matching the original). 

The Planning Department can assist you in determining whether a Certificate of Appropriateness is necessary.

Altering/Demolishing a Structure Qualifying as a Historic Landmark

A request to alter or demolish a potential historic landmark would result in an investigation. Any such request would be delayed pending the completion of the investigation and action. As part of the investigation, Planning Department staff will discuss with you alternatives to alteration or demolition. Alternatives may range from redesigning the project to minimize exterior changes to relocating the structures to another site where they can be preserved. The Planning Department will prepare a staff report to the Historic Preservation Commission. The Planning Department staff conducts a thorough field survey of the site to carefully document all structures and features, including photos, notes, and site plan. Records are researched to determine age of structures, property ownership history, and other known facts about the property, its former inhabitants and use. The results are compiled into a written report to the Historic Preservation Commission who will make recommendations to the City Council. The City Council may approve or deny designation of Landmarks or historic Points of Interest. If Landmark designation is given to the building in question, then you must apply for a Certificate of Appropriateness. Landmark designation and Certificate of Appropriateness applications do not require the payment of any fees for residences and small businesses.

Requirements When Demolishing a Historic Building

If demolition is approved through the Certificate of Appropriateness process, the property owner demolishing a historic building may be required to provide "mitigation" to offset the loss of an historic resource. The mitigation required will vary depending upon the significance of the historic resource. Mitigation measures may include, but are not limited to, installing a commemorative plaque, contribution of funds toward historic preservation activities, preparation of detailed plans documenting the architecture and engineering design of the structure, offering donation of the structures, and incorporating public art into the project which reflects the history of the area.