Historic homes in Culver City: the local rules

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

What Culver City's code says

Culver City code What Culver City's code adds
When a building counts as historic	At least 50 years old. Applies: Applies when a structure is considered for designation and its exterior is accessible or visible to the public. § 15.05.020 · code text The structure(s) is at least fifty (50) years old and the exterior of the structure is accessible or visible to the public;
Changing a historic home	A Certificate of Appropriateness or Certificate of Exemption is required before exterior alterations. Applies: Applies to a designated landmark, significant structure, or historic district. § 15.05.035 · code text No person shall demolish, remove or make alterations affecting the exterior appearance of any designated landmark or significant structure or historic district, in whole or in part, without first obtaining a Certificate of Appropriateness or a Certificate of Exemption. No permits for alterations and no alteration until the final designation decision and the required Certificate of Appropriateness. Applies: Applies to a nominated landmark or significant structure. § 15.05.035 · code text No permits for alterations to a nominated landmark or significant structure shall be issued, nor shall any alteration be done, until a final designation decision has been made and a Certificate of Appropriateness, where required, has been approved.
Demolishing an older or historic home	Up to a 6-month waiting period while ways to preserve the structure are evaluated. Applies: Applies when a proposed alteration has an adverse impact on a designated structure. § 15.05.035 · code text Up to a six (6) month waiting period shall be imposed during which the owner shall try to identify, and the Planning Commission or Community Development Director shall evaluate, ways to accomplish the owner's goals and to preserve the designated structure. The Certificate of Appropriateness shall be approved. Applies: Applies to a structure designated significant, after the waiting period and good-faith efforts find no acceptable way to preserve it. § 15.05.035 · code text If the structure is designated significant, the Certificate of Appropriateness shall be approved; The Certificate of Appropriateness shall be disapproved. Applies: Applies to a structure designated landmark, after the waiting period and good-faith efforts find no acceptable way to preserve it. § 15.05.035 · code text If the structure is designated landmark, the Certificate of Appropriateness shall be disapproved.
Work that needs no review	Incidental exterior maintenance requires no Certificate of Appropriateness. Applies: Applies to incidental exterior maintenance work. § 15.05.035 · code text While no Certificate of Appropriateness shall be required for incidental exterior maintenance work, as defined in § 15.05.010, the owner is required to notify the Planning Manager of the work proposed to be performed prior to commencement. No other requirements of the chapter apply to structures designated "recognized". Owners are encouraged to preserve them. Applies: Applies to recognized structures. § 15.05.030 · code text No other requirements of this Chapter apply to “recognized” structures.

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Frequently asked questions

What rules apply to a historic home in Culver City?

Culver City's code: At least 50 years old. (Applies when a structure is considered for designation and its exterior is accessible or visible to the public.) (§ 15.05.020); A Certificate of Appropriateness or Certificate of Exemption is required before exterior alterations. (Applies to a designated landmark, significant structure, or historic district.) (§ 15.05.035).

Historic homes in Culver City

What Culver City's code says

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