Historic Preservation

The City of Alameda is committed to the preservation of its historic buildings, neighborhoods, and sites as part of its goal of planning for the future.  Alameda is an architecturally and historically rich community with over 10,000 buildings constructed prior to 1930. In order to preserve and document Alameda's rich heritage, the City adopted the Historic Preservation Ordinance in 1975. The Historic Preservation Ordinance established procedures for identifying and designating landmarks, historic buildings, and other historic resources.

Alameda's historic resources consist of historic and cultural resources including:

These items are also collected in one document: Architectural and Historical Resources of the City of Alameda(PDF, 6MB)

The City of Alameda's local register of historical resources, as defined by Public Resources Code section 21084.1, is the "Historic Monuments List." Express City Council action is required for buildings to be placed on that list.


In Alameda, a special permit called a "Certificate of Approval" is sometimes required to perform construction work on a historic structure.  This permit is processed by the Planning Division and is in addition to a regular building permit issued by the Building Division.  Here are common scenarios requiring a Certificate of Approval:

Public Hearing Required:  (Approval by Historical Advisory Board)

  • Alterations to a Historic Monument (there are 30 monuments in Alameda)
  • Alterations to a Contributing Structure in a Historic District (Park Street business district, Alameda Point)
  • Very Common - Demolition of structures built before 1942 (this includes remodeling, alterations, and even 2nd story additions where the construction work would involve removal of 30% of the value of the structure)

Public Hearing Not Required: (Approval by Planning Division)

  • Very Common - Demolition of accessory buildings, such as garages and sheds, built before 1942 (including alterations that involve removal of 30% of the value of the structure)
  • Removal of certain protected trees

For questions about whether your project will need a Certificate of Approval, please consult with a Planner at 510-747-6805.

Historical Buildings Study List

Historical Buildings Study List(PDF, 342KB)

Background In April 1978, staff of the City Planning Department began a comprehensive survey of Alameda’s architectural and historical heritage.  The goal of the survey was two-fold: identify Alameda's heritage, and compile an initial list of buildings and other resources from which the Historical Building Study List could be compiled.  One full­-time staff person, several consultants, and more than 100 volunteers began a systematic investigation of both the history and the architecture of Alameda.  The survey was supplemented by archival research, primarily of building permit records.  Based on this architectural and historical information, the survey staff, an architectural historian, and a graduate student of architecture evaluated the City’s architecture.

Key to Notations in the Study List - Each property on the List is preceded by an uppercase letter in parentheses which indicates the type of historic resource located on the property.

N - A historic resource of the highest quality, eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, usually because of its architectural significance. These are of the highest priority for inclusion on the list of Alameda Historical Monuments.

S - A historic resource distinguished by its architectural, historical, or environmental significance, eligible for inclusion in the State Historic Resources Inventory, and of secondary priority for inclusion on the list of Alameda Historical Monuments. Many of these are also eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Others would be eligible if design integrity were restored.

B - A resource which, due to its scale, massing, materials, style, and other features, is similar to a nearby "N" or "S" resource and serves as Background support for it. These resources are eligible for inclusion in a group or district nomination to the National Register of Historic Places.

E - A resource which, by itself, might be insignificant, but which, together with its neighbors, forms an Environment which is distinguished by its continuity, its setting, its urban design features, and its integrity.  This resource derives its significance from its association with neighboring resources.

H - A resource which may have Historical importance because of its apparent age or location, or may have architectural importance because of its similarity to other buildings done by important architects and/or builders. Historic research should precede further evaluation of this resource.

Some of the buildings and resources have been further studied by the City or private individuals. The form or report may be on file with the Planning Division, and is indicated by a lowercase letter following the address.

n - Included on the National Register of Historic Places.

np - Nomination form for National Register of Historic Places designation has been prepared.

s - A State Historic Resources Inventory form has been prepared.

sg - A group State Historic Resources Inventory form has been prepared.

ap - An Alameda Historical Monument report has been prepared.

 

Study List Evaluation Criteria - The criteria used in evaluation were designed to fit the needs and particular circumstances of this project. They are based on a combination of the criteria for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, for inclusion in the State Historic Resources Inventory, and for designation as an Alameda Historical Monument.  These criteria can be divided into the broad categories of architectural significance, historical significance, environmental significance, and design integrity.

  • Architectural Significance has to do with the style of a historic resource, the reputation and ability of the architect, the quality of the design, its uniqueness and its execution, and the materials and methods of construction.
  • Historical Significance comes from an association with the lives of persons or important events which have made a significant contribution to the community, state or nation; or from an association with broad patterns of cultural, social, political, economic, or industrial history; or the urban development of Alameda.
  • Environmental Significance has to do with the continuity or character of a street or neighborhood with a historical resource's setting on the block, its landscaping, and its visual prominence as a landmark or symbol of the city, neighborhood or street.
  • Design Integrity has to do with alterations which have been made over time to the original materials and design features of the resource.

 

Use of the Historical Buildings Study List - From a regulatory perspective, the List is significant for two reasons:

(1) The State Historical Building Code applies to all properties on the List. This offers some flexibility in building codes to preserve important historical features.

(2) No building on a listed property may be demolished without prior approval of the Historical Advisory Board.  This is pursuant to Section 13-21.6 of the Alameda Municipal Code which requires that the demolition and removal provisions relating to City Monuments shall also apply to structures and other resources contained in the Historical Building Study List.

The List is maintained by the Historical Advisory Board.  Revisions to the List are filed with the Permit Center.  Affected property owners are notified prior to the Historical Advisory Board taking any action to change the List.  A property may be removed from the List by Board action if, in the considered opinion of the majority of the Board, a structure has been altered to such an extent as to have removed all historic value or context.  In using this List, please note that most addresses listed are based on field observation. Occasionally a corner building will have addresses on two streets. Sometimes both are listed; sometimes only one. Regardless of how it is listed, the entire parcel associated with an address is covered by the listing.


Protected Trees 

The following trees are protected in Alameda. Removal of a protected tree requires a Certificate of Approval. Consult a certified arborist if you need assistance identifying a tree on private property.

  1. All coast live oaks (Quercus agrifolia) in Alameda with a ten inch (10”) or greater diameter measured four and a half feet (4.5’) above ground.
  2. All Mexican fan palms (Washingtonia robusta) and California fan palms (Washingtonia filifera) in the public rights of way on both sides of Burbank Street, Portola Avenue, and Eighth Street between Central and Portola Avenues.
  3. All trees in the three median islands on Thompson Avenue between High Street and Fernside Boulevard, known as Christmas Tree Lane.
    • First island: Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica); Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens).
    • Second island: Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica); Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens); Monterey Pine (Pinus radiate).
    • Third island: Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica); Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens); Jellicote Pine (Pinus patula); Bradford Pear (Pyrus calleryana).
  4. All sycamore (London plane trees) (Platanus acerifolia) in the public rights of way on both sides of Central Avenue between Fernside Boulevard and 5th Street.

 

In 2007, the City Council adopted the Policy for Naming City Property, Facilities and Streets to formalize a process and criteria for naming City facilities and streets. The Policy also establishes the Historical Advisory Board (HAB) as the keeper of the List of Street and Facility Names.  

Process for Naming Streets: 

While the Historical Advisory Board maintains the list of names, the actual naming of a City street is the responsibility of the Planning Board.  This process often occurs as part the Planning Board's review and approval of entitlements for new development.  Renaming of any existing street will require a recommendation of the Planning Board and subsequent approval by the City Council. 

Official Street Names List(PDF, 62KB)

Process for Naming City Facilities (Buildings, parks, etc.):

The process naming of City facilities becomes the role of the particular Board or Commission having oversight of the facility with final City Council approval.  For example, the Recreation and Parks Commission would recommend a name for a City park and that recommendation would be considered by the City Council for final approval.  

Policy for Naming City Property, Facilities and Streets(PDF, 36KB)