Cultural Heritage Ordinance

Cultural Heritage Ordinance

South Pasadena prides itself on the quality and historic character of its neighborhoods and its small-town ambiance. Maintaining these qualities is considered key for retaining residents and businesses and for increasing the desirability of the City for new residents, business, and visitors. The City’s commitment to historic preservation is described in the General Plan, through the Historic Preservation Element and codified through the Historic Preservation Ordinance.

Since 1992, the City’s Historic Preservation Ordinance has been an effective tool for implementing the City’s preservation efforts. However, it had several deficiencies and lacked clarity about how the Cultural Heritage Commission (CHC) processes preservation activities.

The CHC reviewed the ordinance and tailored a new draft ordinance in a way that will help property and business owners gain a clear understanding of the CHC’s purpose and its processes. It will also help the CHC with its decision making. The main purpose of this revised ordinance is to strengthen the City’s legal framework needed to assure continued protection of its historic character and scale.

On July 19, 2017, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2315 that repeals the current ordinance and replaces it with a new ordinance that addresses current preservation issues and strengthens the City's legal framework needed to assure continued protection of its historic character and scale.

New Preservation Ordinance (Ordinance No. 2315), Effective August 18, 2017.

For questions and comments, please contact Planning staff at(626) 403-7220