San Mateo residents can ask questions about the city’s updated historic preservation rules during a virtual workshop Thursday, Oct. 22, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

The city’s fourth community workshop will cover preservation policies, tools, resources and next steps, followed by questions and answers, according to the Historic Policy Update page.

Residents can join the workshop on Zoom. The city also provides an RSVP link on its project page.

The policy update began with City Council authorization in January 2025. Council study sessions followed in June 2025 and January 2026, and the Planning Commission held a public hearing April 14.

What the council approved

The City Council unanimously adopted Ordinance 2026-06 on May 18, revising the municipal code’s Historic Preservation chapter. The city first established its downtown preservation ordinance in 1993 and expanded its provisions citywide in 1995.

Under the updated law, a property must be at least 50 years old and meet historic significance criteria to qualify for individual landmark designation.

Landmark applications generally require written owner consent. An exception allows the council to nominate properties identified in the 1989 Historic Building Survey. That process requires owner notification, supporting documentation and a public hearing before a designation decision.

For a proposed historic district, at least 75% of buildings, excluding accessory buildings, must be at least 50 years old and meet the designation criteria. No more than 25% of buildings may be noncontributing.

The district application process requires initial support from at least 20% of property owners. A formal application requires support from at least 60%, confirmed through a city-mailed survey.

The council also adopted Ordinance 2026-07 on May 18, establishing a Historic Resources Commission with up to five council-appointed members and two nonvoting youth advisers.

Youth advisers must be 13 to 17 at appointment. Regular members generally serve four-year terms, with staggered initial terms. Youth advisers serve one-year terms and may be reappointed for one additional year.

Resources and next steps

The city adopted its Citywide Historic Context Statement on May 4, according to the project page.

The document describes the city’s historical development, events and architectural styles to guide identification of historic resources. It does not designate properties or provide a list of eligible properties, according to the city’s FAQ.

The project page lists new resource documents and applications for historic designation, Certificates of Appropriateness and the Mills Act program as coming soon.

Questions can be directed to Community Development Director Zachary Dahl or Senior Planner Somer Smith at [email protected] or 650-522-7212.