Historic homes in Santa Clara County

Fifty years or older.

No permit for the demolition or removal of a building or other structure which is a formally designated or registered cultural heritage resource shall be issued until an approval is granted by the Board of Supervisors, pursuant to the applicable procedures and regulations of the Santa Clara County Ordinance Code.

The demolition permit restrictions, in Section C1-91 of the County Ordinance Code shall apply to the proposed demolition or removal of any individually registered historic building or structure.

When the Department of Planning and Development identifies that the subject historic resource proposed for demolition is listed in the heritage resource inventory and meets the criteria of significance for a landmark as prescribed in Article II, the applicant shall be informed that a landmark alteration permit is required for such demolition.

Owners of designated landmarks and historic resources located in -h Historic Preservation Combining Districts may make application to the County for a Mills Act contract. Such owners may qualify for property tax relief if they pledge to rehabilitate and maintain the historical and architectural character of the property for a minimum ten-year period.

Owner-occupied single-family residences and income-producing commercial properties may qualify for the Mills Act.