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Each of the over 100 designated City Landmarks in San Jose represents a physical connection with significant persons, activities, or events from our past. In addition to serving as visible reminders of our historical and cultural heritage, designated City Landmarks contribute to San Jose's unique character and sense of place. This uniqueness strengthens the local economy by preserving property values, attracting tourists, and encouraging investment in San Jose.
Click here for a list of designated historic City Landmarks. (23 kb .pdf) Updated June 1, 2009
Click here for photos of recently-designated and other notable City Landmarks
Map of City Landmarks with pictures. *New*
Any historic property may be nominated for designation as a City Landmark by either the City Council or the Historic Landmarks Commission. A property owner may also apply for nomination, and consideration by the Historic Landmarks Commission.
To apply to the Department of Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement, the following information must be submitted:
- Assessor's Parcel Number (APN)
- State Historic Inventory Form
- Historic Landmark Nomination Form
- Photographs of the historic resource
Check out the Guidelines for Historic Reports.
After a designated City Landmark is nominated, the Historic Landmarks Commission recommends that the City Council begin the process for designation of a City Landmark. The City Council then (1) formally initiates proceedings by setting a public hearing date to consider the proposed City Landmark, and (2) refers the matter back to the Historic Landmarks Commission for recommendation.
The Commission then holds a public hearing to consider the proposed City Landmark. They also forward a recommendation to the City Council. Finally, the City Council holds a public hearing to approve, approve with modifications, or disapprove the designation of the City Landmark.
A designated City Landmark must conform to the General Plan, and have special historical, architectural, cultural, aesthetic, or engineering value of a historic nature. In making a recommendation to the City Council on a proposed City Landmark, the Historic Landmarks Commission may consider many relevant factors such as:
- Site of a significant historical event
- Identification with people who significantly contributed to local culture or history
- Identification with a master builder or architect
- Example of an unique architectural or engineering design
- Representative of an aspect of City history such as agriculture, architecture, commerce, or industry during a specific era from 1777 to the present.
The nomination period may take two or three months. After formal initiation by the City Council, the entire process takes about four months. The City Municipal Code requires both the Historic Landmarks Commission and the City Council to hold public hearings on the proposed City Landmark within 120 days of formal initiation by the City Council.
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