Historic Resources
Related Website
Historic Requirements
The town recognizes a structure as historic if any one of the following apply:
- Any structure / site that is located within an historic district
- Any structure / site that is historically designated within the LHP overlay
- Any primary structure constructed prior to 1941, unless the town has specifically determined the structure has no historic significance or architectural merit
Historic Building Inventories
Inventories have been prepared which document most town historic buildings so if in doubt contact the Town of Los Gatos Planning Division to review these inventories. They include information on the architectural style and historical facts regarding the structure or site. Especially significant buildings or sites may have been designated Historic Landmarks sites, and historic neighborhoods and commercial areas have been designated Historic Preservation Districts and have a Landmark Historic Preservation (LHP) Overlay Zone.
Historic Guidelines
See the chart below to determine if your property would be considered historic by the Town of Los Gatos guidelines:
- If the primary structure on the property was built prior to 1941 the property may be historic.
- Some buildings built before 1941 are considered to have no historical or architectural value and may be removed from the Town's inventory upon request.
- To see if a home was built before 1941 contact the Planning Division to the town's Historic Inventory and Sanborn Maps.
- The Town of Los Gatos has five Historic Districts as below and all structures in these districts have the potential to be historic.
- Almond Grove Historic District
- Broadway Historic District
- Fairview Plaza Historic District
- University/Edelen Historic District
- Downtown Commercial Historic District
- Some structures located within historic districts are considered non-contributing and have more relaxed guidelines for modification.
- The "Landmark Historic Preservation (LHP)" overlay is a zoning designation applied to properties of considerable historic value many of which appear on State and National Historic Registers.
- The LHP zoning overlay (approved in 1976) applies to specific properties both inside, and outside of the historic districts which guarantees their preservation for the enjoyment of future generations.