What is Hollywood Heritage?  

Hollywood Heritage is a non-profit organization dedicated to preservation of the historic built environment in Hollywood, to education about the early film industry and the role its pioneers played in shaping Hollywood's history. 

How can I find out if my property is historic? 

Buildings may be evaluated for historic significance if they are (generally) 50 years old or older, have retained physical integrity from their period of significance, and contribute to the understanding of a historic context or theme.  Preliminary evaluations occur through historic resource surveys, CEQA historic resource assessments, area wide studies undertaken by government agencies, or other initiatives.  The City of Los Angeles, State of California, and the federal government all have criteria for determining if a building or site is significant.  Lists of identified buildings are kept by various agencies. The Planning Department”s Office of Historic Resources maintains data on properties surveyed by SurveyLA, including designated Historic Cultural Monuments, Historic Preservation Overlay Zones (historic districts), and individual districts of California and National Register designated properties. The California Office of Historic Preservation and the National Park Service’s Technical Assistance division can also provide information. A building or property does not have to have an official designation to be considered historic. 

What incentives are available to owners of historic properties? 

The federal government offers tax incentives for rehabilitation of depreciable income producing structures who meet the requirements of the Investment Tax Credit program and conservation easement deductions for properties listed in the National Register. Recently, a state historic tax credit was passed by the California Legislature; details on its implementation are available through the State Office of Historic Preservation.  In addition, California offers property owners the use of the State Historic Building Code (“SHBC”) with the permission of the local building official. On a local level, the City of Los Angeles offers property owners contracts for partial property tax abatement (Mills Act). 

How does being historic affect the entitlement process? 

If a building is considered to be a historic resource, then the impacts of a project on that resource must be considered.  Los Angeles and its agencies conduct environmental review according to CEQA guidelines. Demolition of a resource is considered a significant impact under CEQA, and may require a change in the project to mitigate impacts or a full environmental review (EIR) to inform the decision-making authority before it allows demolition to occur.  In Hollywood, demolition of potentially historic buildings over 50 years of age must receive comment by Hollywood Heritage before a permit is granted. 

What is an historic survey? 

A survey is a preliminary analysis performed by trained professionals, usually for a government agency like a planning department or redevelopment agency to assist in planning for a community's development. The survey identifies properties by architectural style, use, and historic association. Survey results are often expressed in a numerical rating system called the California Historical Resource Status Codes (adopted by the Office of Historic Preservation in August 2003 and formerly known as the National Register Status Codes). Many properties in Hollywood have been evaluated through survey efforts by the Planning Department (Survey LA), the former Community Redevelopment Agency, or state and federal initiatives.  

How can Hollywood Heritage help me as a property owner? 

Hollywood Heritage can assist owners and developers in identifying historic buildings, provide technical assistance including consultants, contractors, architects and others.  Hollywood Heritage maintains extensive photographic and documentary archives to assist in building history research. 

Are there online resources available? 

Yes. Advocacy organizations including the Los Angeles Conservancy and the National Trust for Historic Preservation contain a wealth of information for those interested in learning about the field of preservation, significant heritage sites, and current campaigns. There are also a number of government sites: The Los Angeles Office of Historic Resources describes the local designation process, incentives and resources for property owners, design review, and historic resource surveys including the city-wide SurveyLA. The California Office of Historic Preservation and the National Parks Service offer educational resources about historic places across the state and country, as well as information about programs to protect them.  

Why is historic preservation the most sustainable type of development? 

The “greenest” building is the one you don’t demolish.  Building reuse almost always offers environmental savings over demolition and new construction.  Reusing existing buildings can offer an important means of avoiding unnecessary carbon outlays and help communities achieve their carbon reduction goals in the near term.  

Are there design guidelines for historic preservation projects? 

The Secretary of the Interior is responsible for establishing standards for all national programs for the preservation of historic properties listed or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.  State and local agencies use the same guidelines incorporated into ordinances. The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines can be found at NPS.gov. The Standards for Rehabilitation, a section of the Secretary's Standards for Historic Preservation Projects, addresses the most prevalent preservation treatment today: rehabilitation. Rehabilitation is defined as the process of returning a property to a state of utility, through repair or alteration, which makes possible an efficient contemporary use while preserving those portions and features of the property which are significant to its historic, architectural, and cultural values. The Standards pertain to historic buildings of all materials, construction types, sizes, and occupancy and encompass the exterior and the interior of historic buildings. The Standards also encompass related landscape features and the building's site and environment as well as attached, adjacent or related new construction. The Standards are to be applied to specific rehabilitation projects in a reasonable manner, taking into consideration economic and technical feasibility. 

What is the meaning of the term "integrity" in historic preservation terminology? 

Integrity is the ability of a property to convey its significance. It is grounded in the understanding of the property’s physical features. To retain historic integrity, a property will possess several and usually most of seven aspects identified by the National Park Service. Determining which of these aspects are most important to a particular property requires knowing why, where, and when the property is significant. These seven aspects of integrity are location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association.