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San Marino · Building on your lot

Historic homes in San Marino

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

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

What San Marino's code says

San Marino code What San Marino's code adds
Changing a historic home
  • Certificate of Appropriateness or Economic Hardship required before alteration, restoration, rehabilitation, construction, removal, or relocation of a historic landmark
    Applies: Designated historic landmarks
    § 23.18.07 · code text
    No person shall carry out or cause to be carried out any alteration, restoration, rehabilitation, construction, removal, relocation, or demolition of any historic landmark unless the City has first issued a Certificate of Appropriateness or Certificate of Economic Hardship in accordance with the requirements in this article.
Demolishing an older or historic home
  • Landmark demolition needs a Certificate of Appropriateness or Economic Hardship, an approved replacement plan, and generally a replacement improvement permit
    Applies: Designated historic landmarks
    § 23.18.13 · code text
    Demolition, in whole or in part, of a historic landmark without issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness or Certificate of Economic Hardship is prohibited.
  • Findings needed: restoration, rehabilitation or relocation futile or infeasible; demolition benefits neighborhood character; deterioration not from owner neglect
    Applies: Certificate of Appropriateness to allow demolition of part or all of a historic landmark
    § 23.18.08 · code text
    No Certificate of Appropriateness to allow demolition of part or all of a historic landmark shall be approved unless the following findings are made in addition to all other required findings:

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What rules apply to a historic home in San Marino?

San Marino's code: Certificate of Appropriateness or Economic Hardship required before alteration, restoration, rehabilitation, construction, removal, or relocation of a historic landmark (Designated historic landmarks) (§ 23.18.07); Landmark demolition needs a Certificate of Appropriateness or Economic Hardship, an approved replacement plan, and generally a replacement improvement permit (Designated historic landmarks) (§ 23.18.13).

General information, not legal advice.

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