- City Map Shows
- 18 Districts
- Largest
- California Heights
- Preservation Office
- (562) 570-6194
- Chain Link
- Generally No
What Needs Review
The city says a Certificate of Appropriateness comes before a building permit for exterior remodeling, fences and structural changes on the site. Staff can approve minor requests. Bigger or inconsistent ones go to the Cultural Heritage Commission. Chain link generally does not get approved unless it is completely hidden from the public right of way. Normal repair that does not change materials or design is not reviewed.
Associations can read this more strictly. The Rose Park group says fences and patio walls need a certificate. Call the Preservation office when you are unsure.
What The Guidelines Ask Of Yards
Nearly every district guideline says to keep the existing planting area, yard shape and layout, since that is what keeps a street looking like itself. Swapping lawn for low water plants is common, and the guidelines note it. Also keep driveway width and location, repair old walks before replacing them, and trim shrubs that hide the house.
District By District
Belmont Heights
Generally around Newport Avenue, Roswell Avenue, 7th Street and 4th Street
Most yards here are shallow and sit behind a narrow grass planting strip. Front fences may be fine because many lots already have one, and the guideline favors low wood or picket styles you can see through. Old driveways were often two concrete ribbons, so ribbon work is worth raising if you are replacing a slab.
Open the Belmont Heights guideline
Bluff Heights
Generally around 4th Street, Broadway, Redondo Avenue and Wisconsin Avenue, with a small piece reaching west to Junipero Avenue
This is a large district with a high count of Craftsman bungalows. The guideline asks you to keep the planting area, yard shape and layout. Many lots keep a small garden, shrubs and mature trees behind a narrow grass strip.
Open the Bluff Heights guideline
Bluff Park
Generally around Broadway, Loma Avenue, Ocean Boulevard and Junipero Avenue
Lots are large, front yards are large and the planting strip is wide. The guideline says front yard fencing should not be installed because so few homes have it. Rear fences are fine. Keep the driveway size and spot, and repair old walkways before you replace them.
Brenner Place
Generally around a single short street
Houses here sit almost at the street, and most have no side yard, back yard, garage or driveway. The guideline highly recommends taking out concrete beside the entry steps and planting that spot, which is a rare case of the city asking for more garden.
Open the Brenner Place guideline
California Heights
Generally around Bixby Road, Wardlow Road, Lime Avenue and Gardenia Avenue
This is the largest historic district in the city, at more than 1,500 parcels, built mostly in the 1920s and 1930s. Yards sit behind a wide grass parkway. Scored concrete is the recommended material for walks and driveways, and the guideline asks you to keep the planting area and yard shape.
Open the California Heights guideline
Carroll Park
Generally around Carroll Park streets around 3rd Street, Junipero Avenue and Wisconsin Avenue
Lots here are irregular, so setbacks swing from about 5 feet to about 30 feet. No two front yards are the same shape. Most hold a lawn with small gardens, shrubs and mature trees, and the guideline asks you to keep each layout.
Open the Carroll Park guideline
Drake Park And Willmore City
Generally around the blocks around Drake Park
The city lists its Drake Park and Willmore City guideline as coming soon, so ask the Historic Preservation office before you plan a fence or hardscape here.
Eliot Lane
Generally around a short lane near 3rd Street and Argonne Avenue
Lots are small at about 40 by 60 feet, with a front yard about 10 feet deep and a very narrow grass parkway. Spanish Colonial Revival cottages set the look. Small plantings work best at this scale.
Grant
Generally around the Grant blocks of the city map
The city map shows this district. We did not find a district guideline page for it, so ask the Historic Preservation office before you plan a fence or hardscape.
Hellman Street Craftsman
Generally around the Hellman Street blocks near Orange and Walnut Avenues
Yards are shallow, with a narrow grass strip at the curb and a Craftsman street front. The guideline asks you to keep the planting area and layout.
Open the Hellman Street Craftsman guideline
Linden Avenue
Generally around Linden Avenue between Anaheim Street and 14th Street
Large homes sit back about 30 feet, so these moderately sized front yards are the first thing you see. The guideline suggests cutting back any overgrown shrubs that hide a contributing building.
Open the Linden Avenue guideline
Lowena Drive
Generally around Lowena Drive near 3rd Street and Junipero Avenue
This small district is four French Eclectic multi family buildings. Landscaping is formal, with clipped hedges, flowering shrubs and brick planters. Plant changes are acceptable as long as the planting area and layout stay put.
Open the Lowena Drive guideline
Minerva Park Place
Generally around a single short street
Spanish Colonial Revival homes sit behind front yards about 10 to 15 feet deep, with side driveways on the north side of each house and a narrow grass strip at the curb.
Open the Minerva Park Place guideline
Rose Park
Generally around 10th Street, Coronado Avenue, 7th Street and St. Louis Avenue
Sidewalks and planting strips here each run about 4 to 5 feet wide. Most lots have a moderately sized front yard. The Rose Park association says fences and patio walls need a Certificate of Appropriateness.
Rose Park South
Generally around 7th Street, Coronado Avenue, 4th Street and Cherry Avenue
The city guideline names palms, elms and magnolia in a planting strip about 4 to 5 feet wide. Most lots have a moderately sized front yard, and the guideline asks you to keep that layout.
Open the Rose Park South guideline
Sunrise Boulevard
Generally around Sunrise Boulevard and the streets near Atlantic Avenue and Willow Street
The street layout makes rectangular, wedge shaped and irregular lots, so no design copies well from one yard to the next. Most homes have a lawn with some gardens and trees.
Open the Sunrise Boulevard guideline
Wilton Street
Generally around a single stretch of Wilton Street
Front yards run about 20 feet deep, which is roomy for a small Spanish Colonial Revival street. A narrow grass strip sits at the curb.
Open the Wilton Street guideline
Wrigley
Generally around the blocks near Magnolia, Chestnut, Cedar and Daisy Avenues around Hill Street
Period Revival homes sit near the front of the lot with a shallow yard, which leaves more room behind the house. The guideline asks you to keep the planting area, yard shape and layout.
Questions We Hear
Can I replace my lawn with drought tolerant plants in a historic district?
Usually yes. The guidelines describe many yards that have already done it. Keep the shape and planting area, and call the Preservation office if hardscape is part of the plan.