Historic Preservation Planning

Find Out if Your Property or Neighborhood is Eligible For Historic Designation

Is your property eligible for designation as a Historic Resource?

If your individual property meets at least one of the following criteria, it may be eligible for designation as a Historic Resource.

• It is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of Burbank’s or California's history and cultural heritage.
• It is associated with the lives of persons important in the past.
• It embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, region, or method of construction, or represents the work of an important creative individual, or possesses high artistic values.
• It has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history.

For more information about the designation process, please review the Application for Designation as a Historic Place or Structure of Merit (PDF) or view the following handout:

• Historic Resource Designation Flowchart (PDF)

Responsibilities

• Owners must maintain the property in good condition.
• Owners must apply for a permit to alter or remove a Historic Resource. Permits are needed in order to move, change the appearance of, make alterations to, demolish, or construct additions. Exceptions may be available for: ordinary maintenance, public safety, and economic hardship.

Benefits

• Protects the property for future generations to enjoy.
• Maintains the unique character of your neighborhood.
• It’s green! Designation prevents additional waste going to landfills and reduces the need for new building materials.
• Once a property is officially designated, an owner may be eligible to apply for a Mills Act contract, which gives property tax savings in exchange for a 10 year commitment to restore a historic property.

Activities for Kids

• History of Burbank Coloring Book
• Historic Preservation Kids Bookmark

Contact Information

For more information about the City of Burbank's Historic Preservation Program, please contact the Planning Division at (818) 238-5250.