Local Landmarks

In conjunction with the Local History Room at the Fullerton Public Library please find the link below to view Fullerton's Local Landmarks.

Fullerton Significant Properties

Historic properties in our community fall into three categories: properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places, City-designated Local Historic Landmarks, and Significant Historic Properties that have not yet been formally designated. The latter have been identified as having historical, architectural, cultural, or community significance and may be eligible for designation as a Local Landmark or listing on the National Register. While inclusion on this list does not constitute formal designation, it recognizes the property’s potential historic importance. With the owner’s participation, formal designation may also provide access to certain preservation-related tax incentives or other financial benefits.

Link Coming Soon...

Local Landmark Eligibility Criteria

For a property in the City of Fullerton to be eligible for Local Landmark status, it must meet one of the following criteria:

Architectural significance that embodies distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or that represents the work of a notable architect, or that possesses high artistic values.
Association with the lives of persons significant to Fullerton's past.
Association with significant events or the social history of Fullerton, including the City's educational, social, and economic development.

For a property to qualify, it must generally be at least fifty years old and retain a high degree of historic integrity. Examples of properties usually NOT considered for listing are reconstructed buildings, moved properties, birthplaces, and graves, although exceptions may be made.

Fullerton Heritage is able to assist owners in determining if their property qualifies for Local Landmark designation. If you would like Fullerton Heritage to assist you in the process of researching and requesting the property for designation as a Local Landmark, the following sequence is carried out: The property owner writes a letter to Fullerton Heritage asking that research of the property be conducted for its historical significance (see sample letter).

If the research reveals that the property qualifies for Local Landmark designation and the property owner wishes to proceed with having the property so designated, Fullerton Heritage will complete the application/nomination form that must be submitted to the Community Development Department at the City of Fullerton. Prior to submission, a draft of the application/nomination form will be returned to the property owner for review and approval. A completed application/nomination form must be signed by the property owner and his/her signature notarized. The application/nomination is sent to the Community Development Department of the City of Fullerton where it is reviewed. As part of the review process, the request for Local Landmark status is considered by the Landmarks Commission with a public hearing; the Commission with either approve or disapprove the request.

If you would like to know what Local Landmark designation confers to a property, please contact Fullerton Heritage, the Community Development Department at the City of Fullerton. Initial research on a property in Fullerton can also be conducted in the Local History Room at the Fullerton Public Library.

Mills Act Contracts

Enacted by the State of California in 1972, the Mills Act authorizes participating local governments to enter into contracts with owners of qualified historic properties. In exchange for the owner’s commitment to the ongoing preservation, maintenance, and care of the historic property, the Mills Act may provide a reduction in property taxes.

The City of Fullerton may accept up to 10 Mills Act contracts with qualifying property owners each year. Not all historic properties are eligible for the program.

To learn whether your property may qualify for a Mills Act contract, please contact Fullerton Heritage to schedule a consultation.

Design Guidelines for Residential Preservation Zones

This set of design guidelines was adopted by the Fullerton City Council by Ordinance 2886 on March 5, 1996 as part of an Amendment to Chapter 15.17 of the Fullerton Municipal Code. Amendment A-1430 was a culmination of considerable study and public participation. Staff of the Development Services Department - in partnership with Fullerton Heritage, a local preservation organization - first drafted proposed changes to the Zoning Ordinance to achieve two basic objectives:

1) to streamline the process of review for new construction and rehabilitation work for property in the City's residential preservation zones.

2) to establish a set of guidelines that would be used to indicate how proposed improvements should be designed in keeping with the traditional character of these neighborhoods.

A public workshop was held to explain the proposed changes; the 60+ people attending this workshop, representing property owners and residents from three separate neighborhoods, voiced overwhelming support for these design guidelines. Subsequent public hearings held before the Planning Commission and City Council were remarkable for their lack of controversy, given the fact that the proposed amendment would have a direct effect on the future of three residential neighborhoods.

Historic Friendly Vendor Data Base

Fullerton Heritage and members have vetted a database of vendors familiar with historic homes. If you have any feedback from any of these vendors, please let us know. Please note we are not affiliated with any of these vendors and do not guarantee their work. If you have a good or bad experience we would like to hear from you. Also, if you find a vendor who is knowledgable about historic homes, please feel free to share. The following PDF are in alphabetical order by trade.