Historic Preservation

Historic Preservation Plan
The City Council adopted the City of Burbank Historic Preservation Plan in 1999. The plan is a comprehensive, citywide document creating guidelines and policy for historic preservation within the City of Burbank.

Preservation Ordinance
The City Council adopted the City's preservation ordinance in 1994.  The ordinance provides processes and procedures for identifying local historic resources and identifies the role and responsibility of the Heritage Commission in the preservation process.

National and State Preservation Programs
The federal historic preservation program is the National Register of Historic Places, which recognizes resources of local, state, and national significance. There are specific criteria that a property must meet in order to be listed on the National Register (e.g. the property's association with events in history and significant persons, distinctive characteristics, architectural style, physical integrity, etc.).

Properties listed on the National Register have met the most stringent standards, and as a result they are eligible for programs such as tax incentives and building code alternatives provided under the State Historical Building Code.  The City of Burbank is fortunate to have three properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places:

Burbank City Hall, 275 E. Olive Avenue

U.S. Post Office, 125 E. Olive Avenue

Portal of Folded Wings, Valhalla Memorial Park
(This landmark is listed in the National Register as being in North Hollywood because Valhalla Memorial Park has a North Hollywood street address.  However, the landmark itself is located in the City of Burbank.)

In addition to the National Register, the State Office of Historic Preservation (SOHP) has developed three historic registration programs: California Historical Landmarks, California Points of Historic Interest, and the California Register of Historical Resources. Each registration program has a different set of criteria, type of marking, and owner consent procedure.

When a property is registered under any one of the programs it is automatically listed on the California Register.  As a result of being listed on the California Register, properties are granted limited protection under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and environmental review may be required if the property is threatened by a proposed development project.  Burbank is fortunate to have a property listed as a California Point of Historic Interest:

Bob’s Big Boy Restaurant, 4211 Riverside Drive

If you would like additional information on any of the state or national programs, please visit the California Office of Historic Preservation.

Local Preservation Programs
In addition to the national and state registration programs, the City of Burbank has programs in place to further promote historic preservation at the local level.  These are Designation of Historic Places or Structures of Merit and the Certificate of Recognition Program.

The following is a brief overview of the programs. A more detailed explanation of the procedures and requirements can be found in the Burbank Municipal Code.

The formal process to designate property as Historical Places or Structures of Merit continues after the site is placed on the Citywide Eligibility List. The Citywide Eligibility List was established to provide a listing of properties within the City that may be eligible as Historic Places or Structures of Merit. After an initial evaluation of a property, the City may seek authorization to further research the property.

If the property appears to be suitable for designation as a historical place or structure of merit, the property owner must agree to the regulations imposed through the Historic Preservation Ordinance and provide written consent to continue with the formal designation process. The property is then placed on the eligibility list, from which nominations for historical places or structures of merit are drawn.

After receiving the property owner’s written consent to continue, the Heritage Commission will hold a public hearing to review the proposed designation. If the Commission determines the property eligible, a recommendation is then forwarded to the City Council for review and final designation of the property.

As with other registration programs, determining that a particular site or structure is a Historical Place or Structure of Merit also involves placing legal regulations on the property, such as a covenant being recorded to protect the site from destruction or alteration. However, the property is also eligible for benefits, and if the criteria can be met, it may be placed on the State or National Register.

The Certificate of Recognition Program was designed to recognize sites that have contributed to the historical, cultural, architectural, or aesthetic value of the community. The Recognition program is strictly for honoring and recognizing a particular site and in no way imposes any regulations or legal limitations on the property.

In addition to particular sites, individuals from Burbank who have influenced local, regional, or national history may be honored with a Certificate of Recognition.

National Historic Preservation Week
National Historic Preservation Week is sponsored annually by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. A theme is chosen each year, and for California, festivities and events are held in Sacramento at the Office of Historic Preservation. Communities statewide may choose to observe in their own way, and each year the Burbank Heritage Commission and the City Council honor a special person who has been instrumental in local preservation efforts.