The City of Elk Grove has a rich heritage depicted in numerous California State Landmarks and properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Preserved historic resources bring much more than aesthetic beauty to a community. Historic preservation helps establish a community's identity rooted in a shared past.

While preservation of historic resources has gone on for many years in our community thanks to a wide range of groups and individuals, the most effective tool to aid historic preservation efforts is a local historic preservation ordinance.

The Historic Preservation Committee normally meets on the second Monday of each month at 7:00 PM in City Council Chambers at 8400 Laguna Palms Way in Elk Grove.

• Maintain, publicize, and periodically update a local Historic Resource Inventory listing all historic resources within the city, using guidance presented in Guidelines for Local Surveys: A Basis for Preservation Planning, to include administering and adopting the results of historical surveys;
• Attain and maintain Certified Local Government Status;
• Recommend the designation and rescission of historic resources as Elk Grove Landmarks or Elk Grove Heritage Resources to the City Council;
• Recommend the approval or disapproval, with or without conditions, of applications for Certificates of Appropriateness;
• Recommend the approval or disapproval, with or without conditions, of applications for Demolition/Relocation Certificates;
• Perform advisory review of new buildings, structures, objects, and demolitions on lots immediately adjacent to designated historic resources in cases where the city has discretionary review over these projects (as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act);
• Review Historic District Plans;
• Investigate and report to the City Council on the use of various federal, state, local, or private funding sources, incentives and other mechanisms available to promote historic preservation in the city;
• Develop and review a comprehensive local historic preservation plan;
• Review and comment on decisions and documents developed using the California Environmental Quality Act, the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (United States Code Title 16, § 470, et seq.), and other laws that require consideration of the effects of projects on historic resources when such decisions or documents may affect historic resources or resources potentially eligible for historic designation in the city;
• Cooperate with local, county, state, and federal governments in the pursuit of the objectives of historic preservation;
• Participate in, promote, and conduct public information, educational and interpretive programs, newsletters, and appropriate literature pertaining to all types of historic resources to owners of historic resources, building contractors, the Chamber of Commerce, area realtors, and any member of the public requesting such information;
• Render advice and guidance upon the request of the property owner or occupant, on the restoration, alteration, decoration, landscaping, or maintenance of any historic resource;
• Provide for adequate public participation in local historic preservation programs, including the process of recommending properties for nomination to the Elk Grove Register of Historic Resources, the California Register of Historical Resources, and the National Register of Historic Places;
• In the case of historic resources that may be demolished or relocated, take steps to aid in the preservation of historic resources to include, consultation with civic groups, public agencies, and interested citizens; recommendations for acquisition of the property by public or private bodies or agencies; and exploration of the possibility of moving such resources; and
• Perform any other functions designated by the City Council or required by the State of California’s Certified Local Government program.

View Historic Preservation Committee Ordinance