City Council Adopts Updated Historic District Design Guidelines

The Santa Clara City Council officially adopted the rewritten Historic District Design Guidelines on May 8, 2024, by Resolution #2024-06, following months of dedicated work by the Historic District Committee (HDC). In November 2023, the City Council implemented a 180-day moratorium on historic district development to allow time for a comprehensive review and update of the existing guidelines. The HDC utilized this period to thoroughly revise and modernize the standards that govern construction and renovation projects within Santa Clara’s historic districts. The updated guidelines provide clearer direction for property owners and developers while preserving the historic character of designated areas, and aim to streamline the review process while balancing historic preservation with practical property needs. With the moratorium now lifted, property owners can move forward with projects under the new framework, and the updated guidelines are available on the city’s website and at City Hall.