Historic Property Evaluations

The City of Laguna Beach is undertaking a comprehensive review of its Historic Register to strengthen the accuracy, consistency, and long‑term effectiveness of the City’s historic preservation program. This effort is designed to ensure that historic resources are properly documented and that the City’s review processes align with state requirements and best practices.

Purpose of the Project

The review focuses on two primary objectives that together support a more reliable and transparent preservation framework:

• Evaluate existing Historic Register listings without Preservation Agreements.
  Fifty‑four properties are currently listed on the City’s Historic Register without a recorded Preservation Agreement. The project assesses whether each property continues to meet eligibility criteria and whether a Preservation Agreement is appropriate to ensure long‑term protection and clarity for property owners.
• Establish a uniform approach for reviewing properties not on the Historic Register.
  The project also includes development of a streamlined system for evaluating permit applications for properties that are not listed on the Historic Register but may have potential historic significance. This process will help ensure compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and provide clear, predictable steps for applicants.

Current Status

The first phase of the project, an evaluation of the 54 identified properties, has been completed. The findings are detailed in the report Phase I Historical Analysis of Preservation Agreements in the City of Laguna Beach, California prepared by ASM Affiliates. The full report is available in the Resources and Documents section below.