San Rafael , being the oldest city in Marin County, has many older buildings that contribute greatly to its character. City regulations protect a number of buildings designated as local landmarks, and impacts to potential historic resources are examined as part of the planning application process in accordance with regulations of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
City Regulations
The City Council has adopted a survey of older, architecturally interesting buildings and structures known as the Historical/Architectural Survey which includes 305 sites throughout the City. The Survey was last updated in 1986, and includes rankings of the historic significance of these various structures and sites. Sixteen of these sites have been designated as local Landmarks, and include:
- The Mulberry House (1149 Fourth Street)
- The Chisholm Residence (1505 Fifth Avenue)
- 1800 Fifth Avenue
- The Flatiron Building (724 B Street)
- The Boyd House and Memorial Park (1125 B Street)
- Holtwood (510 Belle)
- The McNear Brick Barn (525-569 Biscayne Drive)
- The Schlosser/Cole Residence (1023 E Street)
- The Bradford House (333 G Street)
- The Robert Dollar House (115 J Street)
- The McNear Residence (121 Knight Drive)
- Dr. Hawkins’ Residence (418 Mission Avenue)
- The Robert Dollar Estate a.k.a. Falkirk Mansion (1408 Mission Avenue)
- The Isaac Jessup House (10 Sentinel Court/241 West End Avenue)
- The Jessup/Dunand House (14 Sentinel Court)
- The Litchfield Sign (737 E. Francisco Blvd.)
The City also has designated three historic districts, including:
- The Victorian Village (1623-27 Fifth Avenue)
- The French Quarter (901-911 Irwin Street)
- 1811-1817 Grand Avenue
More information on all structures and sites on the City’s Survey can be obtained at the Planning Division in City Hall (1400 Fifth Avenue).
The City’s Historic Preservation Ordinance (Chapter 2.18 of the Municipal Code
) requires Planning Commission review of exterior modifications or demolition of structures listed as Landmarks and those within a Historic District.
The City Council has the authority to add or eliminate properties or districts to the Historical/Architectural Survey.
CEQA
The California Environmental Quality Act requires that exterior modifications or demolition of potential historic resources be evaluated as part of the environmental review process. According to state law, any structure on a local historic building inventory (such as the City’s Historical/Architectural Survey), regardless of the City’s ranking of such a structure, must be considered a significant historic resource unless evidence to the contrary is provided, usually involving evaluation by a qualified architectural historian. Also, any structure which meets the criteria for listing on the State’s Register of Historical Resources must also be considered a potentially significant historic resource. To either demolish or modify the exterior of a potential historic resource in a way that reduces its historic value usually requires the preparation of a full Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for consideration as part of the City’s development review process. Please contact the Planning Division for additional information.