Most large cities have a designation for historic districts–in Los Angeles, they are called Historic Preservation Overlay Zones, or HPOZ.
HPOZ are a zoning designation program designed to preserve the historic and architectural character of a neighborhood. Zones are recognized as containing buildings, features, or sites that have “historic, architectural, cultural, or aestethic significance”. The HPOZ process is designed to protect the charm and historic architectural traits of a neighborhood by making sure all exterior projects are reviewed with the unique character of the neighborhood in mind.
There are currently 35 designated historic zones in Los Angeles. Angeleno Heights was the first HPOZ established, in 1983, with the most recent adoptions being the El Sereno-Berkshire Craftsman HPOZ and Oxford Square district, both established in 2017. Other more well-known HPOZ areas include Highland Park-Garvanza, Hancock Park, and Miracle Mile.
Just because a home may be located in one of these areas does not necessarily mean that home is “historic”. Homes within an HPOZ can be designated as contributing, which means it is considered to be of historic significance, or non-contributing, meaning not historic.
In addition to the benefit of living in a neighborhood with a lot of architectural character and charm, homes in HPOZ tend to appreciate in value at a higher rate than surrounding neighborhoods and may even be eligible for Mills Act, which is a tax incentive program that reduces property taxes on certain recognized historic properties.
While there are a lot of great benefits to owning a property in an HPOZ, the major downside is the additional step you are required to go through to get your plans approved and the potential limitations that may create, even for projects that wouldn't typically involve pulling a permit. For example, whereas in non-HPOZ neighborhoods you may be able tackle a simple outside project like landscaping or exterior painting on a whim, but if you’re in an HPOZ, you need to get written approval from the HPOZ board first, to make sure your project is in line with the historic criteria of the neighborhood. So it’s just another hoop to jump through and it may limit what you can do to the exterior of your property.
Read more about HPOZ on the LA City Planning website.
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