Historic Preservation
How Properties are Deemed Historic

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It is a goal of the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea to promote the identification and preservation of historic resources that represent the unique architectural, cultural, historic, and prehistoric identity of the City. The City maintains a Historic Context Statement that, along with the Historic Preservation Ordinance, provides a framework for identifying historic resources and determining their relative significance. The City also maintains an Inventory of Historic Resources that includes all properties that have been identified as historically significant to date.

Historic Context Statement 
(Current, adopted by the City Council 1/14/2025)

Old Historic Context Statement
(Replaced with the above-linked document, but provided here simply as a reference document.) 

Carmel Inventory of Historic Resources 

Video Lecture (January 2025): Timeless Treasures: Honoring Cultural Heritage Through Architectural Preservation, with Kent Seavey and Seth Bergstein


Secretary of the Interior's Standards
List of Historic Building Permits 1920-1928

DPR 523 Forms Volume I A-69
DPR 523 Forms Volume II 70-End of Historic Objective and Districts

Historic Review Process

Step 1: Determining Eligibility

All projects that involve exterior alterations (i.e., new roof, new siding, new windows, new additions, etc.) require an evaluation of the property’s historic status prior to any development review. Eligibility criteria are established in the City’s Historic Preservation Ordinance. For properties not found to qualify as historically significant, the City prepares a written statement called a “Determination of Ineligibility.”  Properties found to be historically significant are listed on the Inventory of Historic Resources. 

Step 2: Design Review

Projects involving properties that are listed on the Inventory of Historic Resources require review by the City’s Historic Preservation Consultant and approval by the Historic Resources Board. All projects must be consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards, as well as the Carmel Municipal Code and applicable design regulations.

Educational Resources

Carmel Heritage Society
The Carmel Heritage Society is a non-profit organization serving the community of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Its mission is to protect, preserve, and promote the cultural heritage of the community in a way that encourages public recognition and participation so that people will have a greater knowledge and appreciation of the community of Carmel-by-the-Sea and its sphere of influence.

California State Parks, Office of Historic Preservation
The California Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) administers federally and state mandated historic preservation programs to further the identification, evaluation, registration, and protection of California’s irreplaceable resources. Explore their webpages, learn more about the OHP, and join them in preserving and celebrating California’s heritage!

National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior
The National Park Service is one of the United States’ leading agencies for understanding history and culture. They preserve historic sites both within national park boundaries and beyond. They offer opportunities to help communities preserve their history. Whether you want to visit a historic national park, discover America’s stories, or find assistance to preserve the places that matter to you, we hope you discover something new about our shared history.