Currently, planning staff is only accepting applications for both the local historic register and Mills Act after the completion of a required site visit/inspection. Before an application is accepted and considered, staff must conduct a site visit, determine historic eligibility, and confirm there is no unpermitted work on the property. Please note that there is a non-refundable fee required to begin the process. Any applications submitted prior to the require site visit will not be accepted and will be returned. Please reach out to HistoricPreservation@santa-ana.org to begin the site inspection process.
Please note that the final deadline to submit applications for consideration of a Mills Act contract is July 15, 2024, in order to be included in the agenda for the September 5, 2024, Historic Resources Commission (HRC) hearing. This will be the last HRC hearing that considers Mills Act contract applications for the 2024 calendar year. All Mills Act contracts that are approved in 2024 will not see a reduction in property taxes until the following year, in 2025. For local register listing applications only (those that are not applying simultaneous with a Mills Act contract application), the final deadline to submit applications is September 16, 2024, in order to be included in the agenda for the November 7, 2024 HRC hearing.
For additional information regarding the local historic register and Mills Act contract, see the dropdown menus below titled Historic Property Applications and Historic Preservation Initiatives.
If you have any questions, please contact HistoricPreservation@santa-ana.org
Nominations for City of Santa Ana Historic Preservation Awards 2024 Now Open!
The City of Santa Ana is soliciting nominations for the recognition of outstanding historic preservation and rehabilitation projects. To be considered, the project must satisfy the following criteria:
- The property must be located within the City and included on the Local, State or National Register of Historic Places.
- The project must have been completed between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2023 .
- The property owner must have required City permits and approvals.
- All projects must meet the intent of the Secretary of the interior Standards for Rehabilitation.
Deadline for nominations is Friday, September 6, 2024 at 4:00 p.m.
How to Submit:
Nomination forms and required photos will only be accepted electronically. Submissions can be emailed to HistoricPreservation@santa-ana.org or submitted via a USB/Flash drive to be submitted in-person at the Planning Counter located:
City Hall—Ross Annex
20 Civic Center Drive
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Download Forms:
2024 Historic Preservation Awards Flyer
Historic Preservation Award Categories and Criteria
Historic Preservation Award Nomination Form
If you have any questions, please contact HistoricPreservation@santa-ana.org
Historic Properties and Districts
The City of Santa Ana has three National Register Districts: Downtown Santa Ana (listed in 1984), French Park (listed in 1999), and Floral Park (listed in 2023). 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 though Specific Development 40 (SD-40).
The Citywide Historic Resources Map provided below highlights Santa Ana's historic properties and districts. 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.
In 1998, City Council adopted 
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