Historic homes in Los Gatos: the local rules

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

What Los Gatos's code says

Los Gatos code What Los Gatos's code adds
Changing a historic home	Planning approval is required. Applies: Exterior changes to a designated landmark, a property in a historic district, or a pre-1941 structure. § 29.80.260 · code text Exterior alteration to a designated landmark, property in an historic district or pre-1941 structure consisting of any construction, addition, demolition, restoration or rehabilitation. Planning approval is required. Applies: Interior changes that would affect the exterior of a designated landmark, a structure in a historic district, or a pre-1941 structure. § 29.80.260 · code text Interior alterations that would affect the exterior of a designated landmark, a structure in an historic district or a pre-1941 structure.
Demolishing an older or historic home	No permit to build, alter or demolish may be approved while designation proceedings are pending Applies: Structure or feature on a proposed landmark site or in a proposed historic district § 29.80.305 · code text No application for a permit to construct, alter, demolish or remove any structure or other feature on a proposed landmark site or in a proposed historic district, filed subsequent to the date of initiation of proceedings to designate the landmark site or historic district, shall be approved while the proceedings are pending; The permit application may be approved if final action on the designation is not complete 180 days after it starts. Applies: Applies if final action on the designation has not been completed after designation proceedings start. § 29.80.305 · code text provided, however, that if final action on the designation has not been completed one hundred eighty (180) days after initiation of designation proceedings, the permit application may be approved.
Work that needs no review	Construction that does not affect the exterior appearance of the site, district or any structure. Applies: Landmark site or within a historic district. § 29.80.260 · code text Construction of any type on a landmark site or within a historic district unless excepted by the designating ordinance, or of a type which does not affect the exterior appearance of the site, district or any structure on the site or in the district. Work covered by a validly issued and used permit. Applies: The permit was validly issued and used before designation proceedings started. § 29.80.305 · code text The regulations of this division do not apply to the construction, alteration, demolition or removal of any structure or other feature on a landmark site or in a historic district, where a permit for the performance of such work was validly issued and used before initiation of proceedings for designation of the landmark site or historic district.

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Frequently asked questions

What rules apply to a historic home in Los Gatos?

Los Gatos's code: Planning approval is required. (Exterior changes to a designated landmark, a property in a historic district, or a pre-1941 structure.) (§ 29.80.260); Planning approval is required. (Interior changes that would affect the exterior of a designated landmark, a structure in a historic district, or a pre-1941 structure.) (§ 29.80.260).

Historic homes in Los Gatos

What Los Gatos's code says

Who this affects

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