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 Final Draft – approved by the HRB 8/15/2022, Planning Commission 10/12/2022, and City Council 12/6/2022

Carmel Inventory of Historic Resources (v.2022)

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. siding, 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 those properties not found to qualify as historically significant, a written statement is prepared by the City called a “Determination of Ineligibility.”  

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 found to be consistent with the with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards in addition to other City regulations.