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Rolling Hills Estates · Building on your lot

Historic homes in Rolling Hills Estates

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

What Rolling Hills Estates's code says

Rolling Hills Estates code What Rolling Hills Estates's code adds
Changing a historic home
  • The planning commission may suspend action on a permit application for up to 180 days
    Applies: Designated structure, site or area
    § 17.38.120 · code text
    To ensure sufficient time to preserve a designated structure, site or area from demolition or impairment, the planning commission may suspend action on an application to permit construction, alteration, demolition or removal for a period not to exceed one hundred eighty days.
  • The planning commission considers architectural design, arrangement, texture, materials, color and other pertinent factors
    Applies: Designated structure, site or area
    § 17.38.130 · code text
    In evaluating applications, the planning commission shall consider the architectural design, arrangement, texture, materials and color, and any other pertinent factors.
Demolishing an older or historic home
  • Suspension of up to 180 days
    Applies: Designated structure, site or area
    § 17.38.120 · code text
    To ensure sufficient time to preserve a designated structure, site or area from demolition or impairment, the planning commission may suspend action on an application to permit construction, alteration, demolition or removal for a period not to exceed one hundred eighty days.
  • Additional suspension of up to 180 days
    Applies: Only if extended by city council resolution
    § 17.38.120 · code text
    The city council may, by resolution, extend the suspension for an additional period not to exceed one hundred eighty days
  • No longer than 1 year after application
    Applies: Permit-required work on a designated landmark overlay site, structure or area, without property-owner consent
    § 17.38.120 · code text
    In no event may construction, alteration, demolition or removal work for which a permit is required be delayed on a designated landmark overlay site, structure or area longer than one year after application therefor is first made, without consent of the property owner.
  • A permit application cannot be approved while designation proceedings are pending
    Applies: Proposed landmark overlay site or area
    § 17.38.140 · code text
    No application for a permit to construct, alter, demolish or remove any structure or associated feature on a proposed landmark overlay site or area filed subsequent to the date of initiation of proceedings to designate the structure, site or area shall be approved while the proceedings are pending

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What rules apply to a historic home in Rolling Hills Estates?

Rolling Hills Estates's code: The planning commission may suspend action on a permit application for up to 180 days (Designated structure, site or area) (§ 17.38.120); The planning commission considers architectural design, arrangement, texture, materials, color and other pertinent factors (Designated structure, site or area) (§ 17.38.130).

General information, not legal advice.

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Ask GoCodebook how Rolling Hills Estates's historic homes rules apply to your situation and get an answer that cites the section.

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Rolling Hills Estates Municipal Code — full text