Frequently Asked Questions

For a property to be considered a landmark, it must be listed on Modesto’s List of Historic Resources or be included in Modesto’s Historic Resources Inventory and determined to meet the designation criteria for historic landmarks by the Landmark Preservation Commission. These properties are determined to be Eligible Historical Resources.

Any area and neighborhood surveyed in accordance with the standards established by the California Office of Historic Preservation and determined to meet the designation criteria for historic district by the Landmark Preservation Commission is determined to be an Eligible Historic District. To find out if your property is on the list, please contact the Planning Division.

Any property or structure that meets the criteria in the Landmark Preservation Ordinance (Title 9, Chapter 10, of the Modesto Municipal Code) can be designated a Modesto Landmark. The City has already conducted a Historic Resources Inventory and many of those properties are on the City’s List of Eligible Historic Resources. Some research on many of these properties has already been conducted. If a property is not on the City’s List of Eligible Historic Resources, it may still be designated if it meets the designation criteria, once the property is surveyed.

Any neighborhood that meets the criteria in the Landmark Preservation Ordinance can be designated a Modesto Historic District Properties that contribute to the significance of the neighborhood are considered contributing structures and are treated just like a landmark. Newer structures and those that do not contribute to the significance of the neighborhood are considered non-contributing structures. These properties have more flexibility with alterations, but are not eligible for preservation incentives. In order for a neighborhood to be designated, a majority of the properties in the proposed district must be contributing structures.

Complete and submit an application with the material identified in the submittal requirements to the Planning Division for review. The Planning Division will research the property with assistance of the McHenry Museum and County Library, to determine the historic significance of the property. A staff report will be prepared and presented to the Landmark Preservation Commission. The Landmark Preservation Commission will hold a public hearing to consider the application and staff report and make a recommendation to City Council. The City Council will then hold a public hearing and decide whether to designate the property a Modesto Landmark.