Historic Preservation

 

Palo Alto values its historic resources and understands the need to preserve and protect its culturally, historically, and architecturally significant places to create a vibrant and sustainable community that fully reflects Palo Alto’s diverse past.

The City’s Historic Preservation Program began in 1979 and currently boasts four National Register Districts and hundreds of individually significant resources. The City of Palo Alto Planning & Development Services Department and Historic Resources Board (HRB) designate, review, and promote historic resources. 

There are many ways to protect, preserve, interpret, and celebrate our shared historic resources and in Palo Alto this includes design guidelines, the Secretary of the Interior's Standards, historic walking tours and community outreach events.

If you have specific questions regarding design review, what modifications can be made to a historic property, historic listing status for a property, how to research your home, or the benefits of preserving historic places, visit the Project Review page.