In a historic district, regulations govern what changes you can make and how. Knowing the approval process before you start saves time, money and frustration.
The Peninsula's historic districts each have their own requirements, and navigating the approval process is a core part of our historic home work. Here's what to know.
Peninsula Historic Districts
Professorville (Palo Alto)
A National Register Historic District of Queen Anne, Colonial Revival and Craftsman homes built for Stanford professors between 1880 and 1920. Any exterior change requires Historic Resources Board review.
Allied Arts (Menlo Park)
Arts & Crafts bungalows and Spanish Colonial Revival homes from the 1920s and 1930s, anchored by the Allied Arts Guild. Exterior modifications require planning department approval.
Redwood City Historic Districts
Multiple districts including the Mount Carmel District and the Redwood City Historic Commercial District. Requirements vary by district and property classification.
What Requires Approval
Requirements vary by district, but generally:
- Exterior color changes: Most districts require approval for significant color changes, especially to body colors
- Siding replacement: Changing siding material or style typically requires review
- Window replacement: Historic districts often require wood windows or specific profiles
- Architectural details: Adding or removing trim, brackets, or decorative elements
- Additions: Any expansion of the building footprint
- Demolition: Removing historic features or structures
Interior work generally doesn't need historic approval (though see the pitfalls below), and routine maintenance like repainting the same color or repairing existing features often doesn't either.
The Approval Process
Pre-Application Research
Confirm your property's historic status, district requirements, design guidelines and precedents.
Prepare Application
Gather photos, drawings, material samples, color chips and a project description.
Submit to Planning
File with the planning department. Staff review typically takes 2-3 weeks.
Historic Review
Historic Resources Board or commission reviews the application. May require a public hearing.
Approval or Revision
Receive approval, conditional approval, or request for modifications. Revise and resubmit if needed.
Working With Contractors
Choose contractors who understand historic preservation. They should:
- Have experience with historic homes and districts
- Understand appropriate materials and techniques
- Be willing to work within approval timelines
- Document the work for the review board
- Respect the home's architectural character
We handle approvals for our clients: application preparation, meeting attendance and the documentation the review board asks for.
Common Pitfalls
- Starting without approval: Work done without required approvals may need to be undone
- Assuming interior work is exempt: Some districts regulate visible interior features
- Using inappropriate materials: Vinyl siding, synthetic stucco, and other modern materials are often prohibited
- Ignoring precedents: Past approvals show what's likely to pass
- Rushing the process: Historic review takes time; plan accordingly
Benefits of Preservation
Designation is protection as well as regulation:
- Property values: Historic homes in well-maintained districts often command premiums
- Character protection: Neighbors can't make changes that diminish the district's integrity
- Tax incentives: Some improvements may qualify for tax benefits
- Community identity: Historic districts create distinctive, desirable neighborhoods
Our approach preserves character while meeting modern needs, and we navigate the approvals for you. Choosing colors for a Professorville or Allied Arts bungalow? Our Craftsman color guide is a good place to start.
"Historic district approval rewards contractors who come prepared with documentation and propose reversible solutions."
