Local Historic Districts (HPOZs)

The City’s local historic districts program aims to identify and protect the distinctive architectural and cultural resources of Los Angeles’s historic neighborhoods. Designating a neighborhood as a local historic district—also called a Historic Preservation Overlay Zone (HPOZ)—means that any new projects in that neighborhood must complement its historic character.

Like other zoning overlays, HPOZs provide an additional layer of planning control during the project review process. All exterior work proposed in an HPOZ, including landscaping, alterations, additions, and new construction, is subject to additional review. Each district has a Preservation Plan with design guidelines and an HPOZ Board that reviews proposed work. Some projects are reviewed at a staff level, while others also go to the district’s HPOZ Board for consultation and review.

The drop-down menu below lists the City’s local historic districts. Click on a district to view its Preservation Plan, boundary map, individual district ordinance, HPOZ Board meeting schedule, and staff contact information.  

For a list of staff contacts, please click here.

To submit a project for review, please visit the Online Application System. More information on submitting a project for review is available here.

Adopted HPOZs

 

icons interactive map

 

HPOZ Board

Each HPOZ Board consists of five or seven members. The Mayor, the City Councilmember representing the area, the Cultural Heritage Commission, and the Board itself appoint the members, a majority of whom must live in the HPOZ. One member of the Board must have extensive real estate or construction experience, one must be a licensed architect, and all members should have knowledge of and interest in the culture, history, and architecture of the HPOZ area.

HPOZ Boards review projects for conformance with the guidelines in the adopted Preservation Plan for their district. Depending on the HPOZ, projects reviewed by the Board may range from smaller projects such as window rehabilitation work to larger projects such as additions and infill developments. HPOZ Boards also serve as informal sources of technical expertise and guidance. Board members often offer excellent advice on cost-effective ways to remodel properties that will maintain and enhance the building's historic character. They may even suggest local contractors and craftspersons who have worked on similar rehabilitation projects.

Board meetings occur twice monthly and are subject to cancelation if a quorum cannot be met or if no agenda items are pending.

Positions are open on the following HPOZ Boards:

If interested in serving on an HPOZ Board, please email Planning.OHR@lacity.org.

HPOZ Board Calendar

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