Historic Preservation

The City of West Hollywood has recognized the importance of preserving its cultural resources since 1984. The City adopted a Historic Preservation Ordinance in 1989 and has designated a total of eighty-two historic and cultural resources.

The underlying reason for assessment and protection of cultural resources is the recognition, by citizens and governments at all levels, that such resources have value and should be retained as functional parts of modern life. The cultural resources extant in West Hollywood give the city its special character and cultural depth. Some cultural resources contain information whose study can provide unique insights about the community’s past, and help answer broad questions about history. In more utilitarian terms, each historic building represents an investment that should not be discarded lightly. Maintaining and rehabilitating older buildings and neighborhoods can offer savings in energy, time, money, raw goods and materials.

Cultural/Historic Preservation Applications and Forms

Links and Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

DO SURVEYS FOCUS JUST ON BUILDINGS?

Buildings are just one focus of surveys. Historic and cultural resources can be individual buildings and structures, or groups of properties that form districts or cultural landscapes, as well as objects, archeological resources, works of art, or flora such as trees.

HOW OLD DOES A BUILDING HAVE TO BE IN ORDER TO BE SURVEYED?

Generally, surveys investigate buildings that were constructed more than 50 years ago. However, certain buildings from the more recent past can also be included in a survey if they feature outstanding architecture, craftsmanship, or materials, or if they are closely associated with a recent significant event.

WHAT TYPES OF SURVEYS ARE THERE?

There are two types of historic resource surveys: Reconnaissance and Intensive. Reconnaissance surveys, aka windshield survey, document the physical qualities of the property, but make no formal evaluation as to a building’s significance, integrity, or eligibility to local, state, or national registers. An Intensive survey requires more intensive research and documentation of a property, and most significantly, results in the evaluation of a property’s eligibility for local, California, or National listing. Evaluation can apply either to individual properties or to properties within the context of a historic district. In general, surveys usually begin at the Reconnaissance level. After additional research and identification of property types, a smaller number of properties are selected for time-and-research-heavy Intensive surveys.