Skip to content

Arcadia · Building on your lot

Historic homes in Arcadia

Arcadia's own rules on historic homes, with the code text for every value.

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

What Arcadia's code says

Arcadia code What Arcadia's code adds
When a building counts as historic
  • At least 45 years old.
    Applies: Resource considered for listing as a local historic landmark.
    § 9103.17.060 · code text
    A resource considered for listing as a local historic landmark must be at least 45 years of age, unless it can be demonstrated that the resource has achieved exceptional importance within the last 45 years.
Changing a historic home
  • A certificate of appropriateness (C of A) is required.
    Applies: Major and minor alterations that may adversely affect a designated historic landmark or a contributor to a designated historic district.
    § 9103.17.080 · code text
    A Certificate of Appropriateness (C of A) is required for major and minor alterations that may adversely affect the significance of a designated historic landmark or contributor to a designated historic district.
  • Design review is required.
    Applies: Demolition or major addition to a non-contributing resource, or infill in a designated historic district outside the City's designated Home Owners Associations.
    § 9103.17.080 · code text
    Demolition of or a major addition to a non-contributing resource, or infill in a designated historic district outside of the City's designated Home Owners Associations will be subject to the design review process described in Section 9107.19 (Site Plan and Design Review), Article IX of the Arcadia Development Code.
  • Exempt from review; a waiver may be issued.
    Applies: All other alterations to non-contributing resources.
    § 9103.17.080 · code text
    All other alterations to non-contributing resources are exempt from review and may be issued a waiver.
  • A certificate of appropriateness or waiver is required before a permit is issued.
    Applies: Alteration of an individual historic landmark or a contributing resource in a designated historic district.
    § 9103.17.080 · code text
    No permit shall be issued for alteration of an individual historic landmark or contributing resource in a designated historic district, or demolition of a non-contributing resource in a designated historic district until a Certificate of Appropriateness or waiver has been issued in accordance with this Section.
Demolishing an older or historic home
  • A certificate of appropriateness and Commission review are required.
    Applies: Demolition of an individual historic landmark or a contributing resource in a designated historic district.
    § 9103.17.080 · code text
    Any demolition, rebuild, or relocation of an individual historic landmark or contributing resource in a designated historic district.
  • No alteration or demolition permits are issued.
    Applies: After a designation application is submitted, until a final decision on landmark or district designation.
    § 9103.17.070 · code text
    No alteration or demolition permits for an individually eligible historic resource or contributor to an eligible historic district shall be issued after an application for designation is submitted.
Work that needs no review
  • Entirely interior work that does not affect the exterior is exempt.
    Applies: Designated historic resources, except interior features named as character-defining in a landmark nomination.
    § 9103.17.080 · code text
    All work that is entirely interior and does not affect the exterior of a designated historic resource, except for interior features that are specifically mentioned as character-defining features in a landmark nomination adopted by the City.
  • Rooftop equipment, including solar panels, not visible from the public right-of-way is exempt.
    Applies: Designated historic resources.
    § 9103.17.080 · code text
    Installation of rooftop equipment, including solar panels, not visible from the public right-of-way.
  • Negligible alterations, such as work entirely inside or matching re-roofing, are exempt from review and may get a waiver.
    Applies: All designated historic resources.
    § 9103.17.080 · code text
    Negligible alterations affecting all designated historic resources (designated and eligible individual resources and resources in designated historic districts) are exempt from review and may be issued a waiver.
Mills Act tax incentive
  • Eligible for Mills Act contracts.
    Applies: Individually designated landmarks, contributing resources in designated districts, and properties listed in the National or California Register of Historical Resources.
    § 9103.17.100 · code text
    All individually designated historic landmarks, contributing resources in designated historic districts, and properties that are individually listed in the National Register of Historic Places or the California Register of Historical Resources are eligible for Mills Act contracts

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What rules apply to a historic home in Arcadia?

Arcadia's code: At least 45 years old. (Resource considered for listing as a local historic landmark.) (§ 9103.17.060); A certificate of appropriateness (C of A) is required. (Major and minor alterations that may adversely affect a designated historic landmark or a contributor to a designated historic district.) (§ 9103.17.080).

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Arcadia property

Ask GoCodebook how Arcadia's historic homes rules apply to your situation and get an answer that cites the section.

Ask your question

More on building on your lot in Arcadia