Yes, I would expect most exterior changes to a designated Pasadena Craftsman to need city design review before the work, typically through a Certificate of Appropriateness. The exact trigger depends on the change and whether the home is an individual landmark or in a historic district. I’m Justin Borges. I specialize in Craftsman and character homes in Pasadena and Northeast LA, so this is a question I handle for buyers and sellers.
That distinction matters when you are deciding whether a particular house fits your plans. A porch you want to alter, a window you hope to replace or an addition you have imagined may be treated differently depending on the property’s designation and the details of the proposal. Start with the address and the actual work, not a general assumption about every Craftsman.
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What kind of historic designation does the home have?
Pasadena describes design review of exterior alterations for individual landmarks and historic monuments. For a landmark district, the city describes review of demolition, new construction and exterior alterations visible from the street. The city also notes that a designated interior can be subject to review for an individual landmark or monument. Those categories are related, but they are not interchangeable. City of Pasadena, Historic Designations and Property Incentives, checked 2026-11-05.
I check the designation before treating a listing description as the answer. Pasadena points owners and buyers to its historic property database, Map My Neighborhood and its landmark districts map. The city’s Design & Historic Preservation Section can help with questions about a particular address. See the city’s historic preservation page, checked 2026-11-05, and my guide on how to find out if a Craftsman is landmarked or in a historic district.
Start with the historic property database, Map My Neighborhood and the landmark districts map.
I’m happy to discuss your plans. Call me at (213) 262-5092.
Ready to move forward? Let's talk.
Which exterior changes should I ask about?
Bring a specific description of the proposed work to preservation staff. An addition that changes the shape of the house, a replacement window or door, work on a porch, new siding or a change to the roofline can all raise design questions. The answer depends on the designation, visibility and the scope of the work, so do not assume that a project is exempt merely because it is on the side or rear of the house.
One city conservation plan illustrates why the details matter. For contributing houses in the Bungalow Heaven Landmark District, the plan identifies street-visible window and door changes, siding and trim, roofing and porches among items reviewed by staff. It distinguishes rear additions by their height relative to the existing ridge and sends major front or side changes to commission review. That is an example from that district’s plan, not a rule to apply to every Pasadena district. City of Pasadena, Bungalow Heaven Landmark District Conservation Plan, checked 2026-11-01.
For a closer look at what ownership can mean beyond a particular project, read does buying a landmarked Craftsman limit what I can change? For the review path, the Bungalow Heaven plan distinguishes staff review from commission review.
If you have a project in mind, text me.
Ready to move forward? Let's talk.
What about ordinary maintenance, repair and paint?
For landmark districts, the city lists routine maintenance, paint colors and work not visible from the street among exemptions from Certificate of Appropriateness review. For an individually designated landmark or historic monument, any exterior alteration may need review. City of Pasadena, Historic Designations and Property Incentives, checked 2026-11-05.
For example, describe whether you intend to repair an existing porch component or replace and change it. Explain which windows are involved and what you intend to put in their place. A photo and a written description give staff something more useful to consider than the phrase “some exterior work.” For a house under a Mills Act contract, compare the work with the contract and its historic features.
The distinction to bring to the city is whether the work is routine maintenance or an alteration requiring a Certificate of Appropriateness.
To talk about your plans, call me at (213) 262-5092.
Ready to move forward? Let's talk.
Who reviews the proposed work?
Pasadena says staff reviews minor projects and the Historic Preservation Commission reviews major projects. The Certificate of Appropriateness is the city’s design-review approval. The classification depends on the work and the rules for the property. City of Pasadena, Historic Designations and Property Incentives, checked 2026-11-05.
Bring the address, identify the affected elevation and describe the materials and appearance you have in mind. Include a photo and a written description, and identify any applicable district conservation plan. That gives staff a specific scope to evaluate.
Minor projects go to staff; major projects go to the Historic Preservation Commission.
To talk through your plans, call me at (213) 262-5092.
Ready to move forward? Let's talk.
How is a Mills Act contract different from design review?
Design review asks whether proposed work is appropriate under the applicable rules. A Mills Act contract is a separate agreement with ongoing preservation obligations. Under California law, the contract provides for preservation and applicable restoration or rehabilitation, and binds successors. California Government Code section 50281, checked 2026-11-05.
Pasadena’s program guidelines address contract obligations and work affecting historic architectural features, inside or outside. Read the actual contract and plan alongside the design-review requirements. City of Pasadena, Historic Property Contract Program guidelines, checked 2026-11-05.
My guides explain what the Mills Act is and whether it applies and how a contract transfers to the next buyer. The recorded Mills Act contract is separate from a Certificate of Appropriateness.
For help with your home search, text me.
Ready to move forward? Let's talk.
What should a buyer ask before closing?
I start with the designation information, applicable conservation plan, prior design approvals and any recorded Mills Act contract, including its work plan and documentation of completed work. Pasadena’s guidelines say documentation of completed contract work should be provided to the new owner. Compare those records with the property as it stands and with any changes you hope to make.
On day one of escrow, I bring the address and proposed work to the Planning Department’s Design & Historic Preservation Section. Ask staff which rules and review path apply, whether a Certificate of Appropriateness is needed, and what materials they need. Include the contract plan if there is one.
Sellers can use the same document list before a listing, so a buyer has a clearer starting point. For the broader sale question, see will a historic designation make my Craftsman harder to sell? The records give the buyer a starting point for the Certificate of Appropriateness process.
To talk about your plans, call me at (213) 262-5092.
Ready to move forward? Let's talk.
Questions I hear about exterior changes
Does replacing a Craftsman window require city review?
It can. Pasadena reviews exterior alterations to individual landmarks, while district review generally focuses on changes visible from the street. Give the city the address and a description of the proposed replacement before ordering it.
Can I paint a designated Pasadena home a different color?
For landmark districts, the city lists paint colors among the items exempt from Certificate of Appropriateness review. For an individual landmark or historic monument, any exterior alteration may need review. A contract can add requirements for work affecting historic features.
Does work behind the house always need review?
Not always. Pasadena describes district review of exterior alterations visible from the street, but individual landmark rules and a Mills Act contract can create different questions. The location and scope of the work matter.
For district work, street visibility is one key distinction.
To discuss your next step, call me at (213) 262-5092.
Ready to move forward? Let's talk.
What else should I check?
Who decides whether an exterior change is appropriate?
Pasadena says staff reviews minor projects and the Historic Preservation Commission reviews major projects. The proposed scope determines the review path.
Does a Mills Act contract replace design review?
No. Pasadena’s contract program adds a maintenance plan and requirements for work affecting historic architectural features. Read the recorded contract and plan alongside the design-review requirements.
Should a seller gather records before listing?
Gather the designation information, applicable conservation plan, prior approvals and, if there is a Mills Act contract, its work plan and records of completed work. The city says documentation of completed contract work should be provided to the new owner.
The city says completed contract work should be documented for the new owner.
If you have questions about your search, text me.
Ready to move forward? Let's talk.
Sources
- City of Pasadena, Historic Preservation, checked 2026-11-05
- City of Pasadena, Historic Designations and Property Incentives, checked 2026-11-05
- City of Pasadena, Bungalow Heaven Landmark District Conservation Plan, checked 2026-11-01
- City of Pasadena, Historic Property Contract Program guidelines, checked 2026-11-05
- California Government Code section 50281, checked 2026-11-05
For a conversation about your Pasadena home search, call me at (213) 262-5092.
Justin Borges
Team Lead, The Borges Real Estate TeamDRE #01940318
With over 13 years in Southern California real estate, Justin specializes in probate sales, trust properties, and character homes. His expertise in 1031 exchanges and historic preservation has helped hundreds of clients navigate complex real estate transactions.