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Certificate of Appropriateness

Any exterior changes to a historic landmark or property located within a historic district must be approved through a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) before starting any work, even if a building permit is not required. Interior alterations, ordinary maintenance and repairs with no physical exterior changes do not require historic review.

Common projects requiring a COA include:

  • Changes to windows and/or doors
  • Building repairs and additions
  • Re-painting
  • Re-roofing
  • Solar panel installations

To find out if your property is in a historic district, please view our Historic District and Landmarks GIS map. For all COA applications, please fill out the appropriate form below and submit it to historicpreservation@longbeach.gov. Ensure changes are historically appropriate by reviewing Historic District and Architectural Design Guidelines. 

Exterior Paint COA Application

Painting the exterior of a home or accessory structure in a historic district requires historic review to ensure historically and architecturally compatible colors.

Exterior Painting Application

Re-roofing COA Application

Re-roofing a home or accessory structure in a historic district requires historic review to ensure historically and architecturally compatible colors and materials.

Re-Roofing COA Application

Minor COA Application

Small-scale alterations such as additions of less than 250 square feet, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and utility enclosures and equipment such as solar panel installation are some examples of minor work.

Minor Application Packet

Major COA Project

Examples of major projects include adding a second story or new addition over 250 square feet to a property. The Cultural Heritage Commission is responsible for considering and issuing COAs for major projects as per Long Beach Municipal Code 2.63. Please ensure the proposed project conforms to the City’s zoning and building regulations and the design guidelines of the district as well as the architectural style before submitting.

Major Application Packet

Landmark Nomination COA Application

Landmarks are cultural resources that have historic importance or significant architectural character defining features. The Cultural Heritage Commission is responsible for the review of all nominations for the designation of historic landmark properties, pursuant to Chapter 2.63 of the Long Beach Municipal Code. 

Landmark Nomination Application
Procedures for Landmark Nomination COA Application

Substitute Materials on Non-Contributing Structures

Applicants can use substitute materials within historic districts on non-contributor buildings outside the period of significance and for detached new construction, subject to review for compatibility of materials. Examples of substitute materials include fiberglass or aluminum windows or fiber cement siding.

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Long Beach, CA 90802

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