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Historic homes in Chico

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

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

What Chico's code says

Chico code What Chico's code adds
When a building counts as historic
  • A resource may qualify if it achieved significance within the past 50 years.
    Applies: The resource is of exceptional importance within the history of Chico, the state or the nation.
    § 19.37.040 · code text
    A resource achieving significance within the past fifty years may be designated a landmark if the resource is of exceptional importance within the history of Chico, the state or the nation.
Changing a historic home
  • A certificate of appropriateness or certificate of demolition approved by the board is required.
    Applies: Major alteration of a property on the Historic Resources Inventory.
    § 19.37.100 · code text
    No building or demolition permits for a major alteration shall be issued for any property listed on the Historic Resources Inventory without a certificate of appropriateness or a certificate of demolition approved by the board.
Mills Act tax incentive
  • Property tax relief through Historical Property Preservation Agreements (Mills Act Agreements) with the City.
    Applies: Voluntary; for owners of property on the Historic Resources Inventory.
    § 19.37.140 · code text
    In the City of Chico, this voluntary process allows owners of property listed on the Historic Resources Inventory to enter into Historical Property Preservation Agreements with the City of Chico to provide property tax relief as an incentive for historic property preservation.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What rules apply to a historic home in Chico?

Chico's code: A resource may qualify if it achieved significance within the past 50 years. (The resource is of exceptional importance within the history of Chico, the state or the nation.) (§ 19.37.040); A certificate of appropriateness or certificate of demolition approved by the board is required. (Major alteration of a property on the Historic Resources Inventory.) (§ 19.37.100).

General information, not legal advice.

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