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Historic homes in Elk Grove

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

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

What Elk Grove's code says

Elk Grove code What Elk Grove's code adds
When a building counts as historic
  • Properties significant within the past 50 years are ordinarily not eligible for the Elk Grove Register of Historic Resources.
    Applies: Exceptions apply, for example parts of qualifying districts.
    § 7.00.050 · code text
    Ordinarily birthplaces, graves of historical figures, properties owned by religious institutions or used for religious purposes, structures that have been moved from their original locations, reconstructed historic buildings, properties primarily commemorative in nature, and properties that have achieved significance within the past fifty (50) years shall not be considered eligible for listing in the Elk Register of Historic Resources.
Changing a historic home
  • Prior approval of a minor or major certificate of appropriateness is required.
    Applies: Applies to a designated historical resource.
    § 7.00.070 · code text
    Except as otherwise exempt in this section, no alterations shall be made to any designated historical resource without prior approval of a minor or major certificate of appropriateness.
  • A minor certificate of appropriateness is needed, for example for like-for-like windows, doors or cladding, similar re-roofing and wall signs.
    Applies: Applies to minor alterations with minimal impact to a designated historical resource.
    § 7.00.070 · code text
    Applies to any minor alteration(s) that has the potential for minimal impact to a designated historical resource.
  • A major certificate of appropriateness is needed, for example for additions, a new primary structure, or demolishing contributing historic-district resources.
    Applies: Applies to major alterations with significant impact to a designated historical resource.
    § 7.00.070 · code text
    Applies to major alteration(s) that has the potential for significant impact to a designated historical resource.
Demolishing an older or historic home
  • Review is required to determine eligibility for listing in the Elk Grove Register of Historic Resources.
    Applies: Applies to resources potentially eligible for historic designation.
    § 7.00.080 · code text
    The demolition or relocation of resources potentially eligible for historic designation shall not occur without review to determine the resource’s eligibility for listing in the Elk Grove Register of Historic Resources.
  • A demolition/relocation certificate is required.
    Applies: Applies to a historical resource.
    § 7.00.080 · code text
    No demolition or relocation of a historical resource shall be made by any person without a demolition/relocation certificate.
Work that needs no review
  • Repainting originally painted surfaces is exempt.
    Applies: Only if the color scheme is not a significant character-defining feature and repainting follows design guidelines and is substantially similar to the existing scheme.
    § 7.00.070 · code text
    Repainting of surfaces that were originally painted and the color scheme is not a significant character-defining feature of the historical resource as determined by the Director.
  • Routine nonabrasive cleaning and maintenance is exempt.
    § 7.00.070 · code text
    Routine nonabrasive cleaning and maintenance;
  • Landscape and surface improvements are exempt.
    Applies: Applies when they are not significant character-defining features and site work is not taller than 12 inches.
    § 7.00.070 · code text
    Landscape and surface improvements (such as, but not limited to, pools, concrete slabs or site work that is not taller than twelve (12") inches in height) that are not significant character-defining features of the historical resource;
  • Interior alterations are exempt.
    Applies: Applies when there is no impact to any historical elements of the structure.
    § 7.00.070 · code text
    Interior alterations that have no impact to any historical elements of the structure;
  • Alteration, demolition and relocation of noncontributing resources are exempt.
    Applies: Applies to noncontributing resources of qualifying historic districts.
    § 7.00.070 · code text
    Alteration, demolition and relocation of noncontributing resources of historic districts listed in or eligible for listing in the Elk Grove Register of Historic Resources, California Register of Historical Resources, or National Register of Historic Places;
Mills Act tax incentive
  • The city processes Mills Act contract applications. The Historic Preservation Committee recommends and the City Council gives final approval.
    Applies: Applies to local historical resources listed in the National Register of Historic Places, California Register of Historical Resources, or Elk Grove Register of Historic Resources.
    § 7.00.120 · code text
    The City shall process Mills Act contract applications pursuant to the Mills Act.
  • The term is a minimum of 10 years.
    Applies: Applies to a Mills Act or historical property contract.
    § 7.00.120 · code text
    A formal agreement, generally known as a Mills Act or historical property contract, is executed between the local government and the property owner to implement property tax reductions in exchange for preservation and/or improvements to qualified historical resources for a minimum ten (10) year term.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

What rules apply to a historic home in Elk Grove?

Elk Grove's code: Properties significant within the past 50 years are ordinarily not eligible for the Elk Grove Register of Historic Resources. (Exceptions apply, for example parts of qualifying districts.) (§ 7.00.050); Prior approval of a minor or major certificate of appropriateness is required. (Applies to a designated historical resource.) (§ 7.00.070).

General information, not legal advice.

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