Historic District

Purpose

Purpose of the Historic District is to promote the public health, safety and general welfare by establishing procedures, regulations and conditions for the preservation, protection, enhancement, restoration, rehabilitation, perpetuation and use of improvements, buildings, structures, signs, objects, sites and areas within the City for the following reasons:

  • To preserve, protect, enhance and perpetuate certain improvements, buildings and structures which reflect outstanding elements of the City's cultural, artistic, social, economic, political, architectural, engineering, historic or other heritage
  • To foster civic pride in the beauty and accomplishments of the past by controlling indiscriminate erection of new structures and buildings and by fostering proper and repair of existing improvements, structures and buildings
  • To enhance property values and to increase the economic and financial benefits to the City and its inhabitants
  • To protect and enhance the City's attraction to tourists and visitors
  • To promote the continuing use of outstanding structures thereby serving as a stimulus and support to business and industry
  • To promote and encourage continued private ownership and utilization of improvements, structures and buildings to the end that the objectives listed in this section can be attained
  • To encourage, develop and maintain appropriate environments for improvements, buildings and structures within the City
  • To preserve and encourage harmonious architectural styles, emphasizing the preservation of architectural styles existing in the area of the City prior to 1910 and secondarily emphasizing other distinct and noteworthy architectural styles reflecting the phases of the City's history
  • To foster knowledge of the living heritage of the past to achieve the enrichment of human life in its educational and cultural dimensions in order to serve spiritual as well as material needs 

(Ordinance 539 Part), 1977: Ordinance 480 (Part), 1972)

When Permits are Required

It is unlawful for any person to tear down, demolish, construct, alter or remove any improvement, or any portion thereof, which has been designated a landmark or landmark site pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, or which lies within a historic district; or to alter in any manner an exterior architectural feature of such a landmark, landmark site or improvement within a historic district; or to place, erect, alter or relocate any sign within a historic district or on a landmark or landmark site, without first obtaining a permit to do so in the manner provided in this chapter. (Ordinance 539 (Part), 1977: Ordinance 480 (Part), 1972).

Permits are not required for alteration, rehabilitation, restoration or remodeling which does not alter any improvement, building, structure, landmark or landmark site as to its exterior appearance.

Resolutions

A resolution is a determination of policy of a corporation by the vote of its board of directors. Legislative bodies also pass resolutions, but they are often statements of policy, belief or appreciation, and not always enactment of statutes or ordinances. Historic District resolutions are in direct regard to performance conditions for the construction, rehabilitation and preservation of buildings and structures within the Historic District along with design allowances, sign appearances, and landmarks within the Historic District. 

A resolution deals with matters of a special or temporary character whereas an ordinance prescribes some permanent rule of conduct or government to continue in force until the ordinance is repealed. For the full Historical District Ordinances, please visit the City of Yreka Municipal Code of Ordinances.

  • Historic District and Landmarks Commission Resolution No. HDLC-1
    A resolution of the Historic District and Landmarks Commission setting forth minimum performance conditions for the construction, rehabilitation, and preservation of buildings and structures within the Historic District or upon a Landmark or Landmark Site. This resolution reviews new construction and rehabilitation/preservation of storefronts, windows and doors, cornices, roofs, brick, color, and street accessories.
  • Historic District and Landmarks Commission Resolution No. HDLC-3
    A resolution of the Historic District and Landmarks Commission setting forth minimum performance conditions for the construction, rehabilitation, and preservation of residential buildings and structures within the Historic District or upon a Landmark or Landmark Site. This resolution reviews new residential construction and rehabilitation/preservation of fences and walls, building setbacks and facades, porches, roofs, siding, windows and doors, and exterior paint colors. 
  • Historic District and Landmarks Commission Resolution No. HDLC-5
    A resolution of the Historic District and Landmarks Commission modifying Resolution No. HDLC-3 relating to the minimum performance conditions for the construction, rehabilitation, and preservation of residential buildings and structures within the Historic District or upon a Landmark or Landmark Site. This resolution modified Subsection 8, Windows and Doors, of Section C of Resolution No. HDLC-3.
  • Historic District and Landmarks Commission Resolution No. HDLC-8
    A resolution of the Historic District and Landmarks Commission setting forth the rules and guidelines for a Sign Use Permit pursuant to Yreka Municipal Code 17.04.105. This resolution repealed Resolution No. HDLC-7 and adopted special rules and guidelines for the issuance of a Sign Use Permit within the Historic District or at Landmark Sites.