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Historic homes in Palo Alto

Palo Alto'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 Palo Alto Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Palo Alto's code says

Palo Alto code What Palo Alto's code adds
Changing a historic home
  • Review is required.
    Applies: Exterior alteration of a historic structure or site downtown, a significant building elsewhere, new construction on such a parcel, or construction in a historic district.
    § 16.49.050 · code text
    all applications for a building permit for exterior alteration to any historic structure/site in the downtown area or a significant building elsewhere in the city, new construction on a parcel where there is currently a historic structure in the downtown area or a significant building elsewhere in the city, or such application for construction within a historic district shall be reviewed as follows:
  • Historic resources board review; compliance is voluntary.
    Applies: Single-family and duplex residences that are historic structures or sites in the downtown area or significant buildings elsewhere in the city.
    § 16.49.050 · code text
    The historic resources board shall review applications involving single-family and duplex residences which are historic structures/sites in the downtown area or which are significant buildings elsewhere in the city. Compliance of the property owner with the recommendations shall be voluntary, not mandatory.
  • Planning staff review and approval.
    Applies: Minor exterior alterations that will not adversely affect exterior architectural characteristics or historical or aesthetic value.
    § 16.49.050 · code text
    The planning staff may review and approve minor exterior alterations pursuant to guidelines which the historic resources board may adopt.
Demolishing an older or historic home
  • Demolition permit prohibited unless an exception applies.
    Applies: Significant building in the downtown area.
    § 16.49.060 · code text
    No permit shall be issued to demolish or cause to be demolished all or any part of a significant building in the downtown area unless:
  • Historic Resources Board hearing and recommendation, and City Council hearing.
    Applies: Demolition of a significant building in the downtown area on economic-use or no-significant-effect grounds.
    § 16.49.060 · code text
    Applications which are accepted as complete for a permit to demolish a significant building in the downtown area on the grounds specified in Section 16.49.060(a)(1) or (3) shall be placed on the agenda of the historic resources board for hearing and recommendation.
  • The chief building official may not act on the application for 60 days after a completed application is received.
    Applies: Demolition of a contributing building in the downtown area or a significant building elsewhere.
    § 16.49.070 · code text
    The chief building official may not take action on the application for sixty days following receipt of a completed application.
  • The application goes to the historic resources board for a recommendation.
    Applies: Single-family or duplex residence; during the 60-day moratorium.
    § 16.49.070 · code text
    A demolition permit application for a single-family or duplex residence shall be referred to the historic resources board for recommendation.
  • The council may extend the 60-day demolition moratorium for up to 1 year.
    Applies: Demolition application for a contributing building in the downtown area or a significant building elsewhere.
    § 16.49.070 · code text
    The council shall agendize such a request and may extend the sixty-day period for a period up to one year.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What rules apply to a historic home in Palo Alto?

Palo Alto's code: Review is required. (Exterior alteration of a historic structure or site downtown, a significant building elsewhere, new construction on such a parcel, or construction in a historic district.) (§ 16.49.050); Historic resources board review; compliance is voluntary. (Single-family and duplex residences that are historic structures or sites in the downtown area or significant buildings elsewhere in the city.) (§ 16.49.050).

General information, not legal advice.

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