Mills Act & Historic Preservation
Mills Act:
The Mills Act Program implements the California Revenue and Taxation Code, which enables property tax reductions for owners of certain qualified historical properties located within the unincorporated areas of the County.
Program Historical Property Contract
Historic Preservation:
Historic preservation safeguards the community’s historic and cultural heritage, supports the local economy, and fosters civic pride in the County’s beauty and history. Numerous studies have shown that preserving historic landmarks is a key ingredient in building stronger communities, creating jobs, and supporting environmental sustainability. Indeed, historic preservation is an important investment in the present and the future.
The Department of Regional Planning is currently working with the Historical Landmarks and Records Commission and the Regional Planning Commission to draft a comprehensive historic preservation ordinance for the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County.
A historic preservation ordinance is local legislation that seeks to preserve, conserve and protect buildings, objects, landscapes or other artifacts of historical and cultural significance. While preservation ordinances vary from place to place, most ordinances typically consists of the following components:
- Statement and purpose
- Definitions
- Historic preservation commission responsibilities and procedures
- Criteria and procedures for identification, review and designation of individual landmarks and historic districts
- Procedures and standards for reviewing proposed alterations and work to a designated property and properties in historic districts (including demolition and new construction)
- Enforcement provisions and penalties
- Economic hardship and appeals procedures