Historic Preservation

The City of Santa Ana is proud to announce the two winners of the 2020 Historic Preservation Awards:

Restoration Award: Pacific Electric Sub-Station No. 14

Award Winner: Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD)

Location: Garfield Elementary School – 850 Brown Street / 475 N. Lacy Street

Rehabilitation Award: The Taylor-Oglesby House

Award Winner: Marnie Schnabel

Location: 2510 N. Valencia Street, in the Park Santiago Neighborhood

Award recipients were honored by both the Historic Resources Commission and the Santa Ana City Council. In addition, they received a plaque commemorating their contribution to the City and to preserving Santa Ana’s historic resources.

In 1998, City Council adopted Chapter 30 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code to establish the “Santa Ana Register of Historical Properties” to list local historically significant properties, and created a Historic Resources Commission to oversee Santa Ana’s Historic Preservation Program.

The City of Santa Ana has two National Register Districts: Downtown Santa Ana (listed in 1984) and French Park (listed in 1999). In addition to National Register listing status, the French Park Neighborhood also maintains zoning protection for its structures through Specific Development 19 (SD-19).  While not a National Register District, the Heninger Park neighborhood also has zoning protection for its historic buildings through Specific Development 40 (SD-40).

Maps of Santa Ana’s historic properties and districts are provided below.  The properties on the Santa Ana Register of Historic Properties list correspond to the Citywide Historic Resources Map, by referencing the local Register number assigned to each historic property.

Historic Property Application & Checklist (Add Property to the Local Register)
Historic Property Preservation Agreement (HPPA) Application & Checklist (Mills Act Application)
Application for Removal from Local Historic Register
Historic Exterior Modification Application (HEMA)
Awards Categories and Criteria
2021 Awards Nomination form

Any improvements or alterations to a property on the Santa Ana Register of Historic Properties, as well as those contributing properties located in a historic district, must meet the Secretary of Interior Standards for Rehabilitation and will require a Certificate of Appropriateness. Major alterations, relocations or demolitions are considered for approval by the Historic Resources Commission. Please contact the Planning Division for more information regarding alterations to your historic structure (714) 647-5804 or e-mail HistoricPreservation@santa-ana.org

The Design Guidelines and Historic Application information below provides guidance on the process for obtaining a Certificate of Appropriateness for new construction, repairs, and alterations to a historic resource.

Secretary of Interior Standards for Rehabilitation
Citywide Design Guidelines: Historic Structures (See Chapter 13 and Appendices)
French Park Design Guidelines
Heninger Park Design Guidelines
Neighborhood Review (French Park or Heninger Park only)

Solar Panel Installation on Historic Properties

The Historic Resources Commission meets bimonthly (January, March, May, July, September, November) on the first Thursday of the month at 4:30 pm in City Council Chambers.

Meeting Agenda Packets/Archive – Current and archival agendas, minutes, and audio files are now available via the Clerk of the Council webpage at the link above.

When a property is placed on the state or local historic register, the owners may be eligible for a certain of incentives, as described below:

Information on Historic Preservation Incentives
Historic Plaque Standards
City Historic Restoration Loan Program

If you would like to learn more about Santa Ana, and other community organizations that support preservation of our historic and cultural heritage click here.

Have questions? Please review the list of Frequently Asked Questions.