Landmarks & Process

Process

The process of registering a Nevada County Historical Landmark begins with an application from the current owner of the property on which the proposed landmark is located. You may download the Historical Landmarks Commission Application (PDF), or send a request through email, or by writing to:
Nevada County Historical Landmarks Commission
P.O. Box 1014
Nevada City, CA 95959
Pelton Wheel

Research

By completing the application, the property owner authorizes the landmark request and the Commission to proceed. The Commission will then research the proposed landmark and verify its historical accuracy. The Commission will also evaluate the proposal against the various criteria to determine a property's historical significance.


Evaluation

The Commission's evaluation is informed by the historic registration guidelines issued by national, state and private commissions. As examples, the Commission looks for sites that are historically rare or unique, (e.g., last of its kind), significant, (e.g., played important role in historical event) or superlative (e.g., oldest of its kind).

Proposal & Acceptance

If the Commission is satisfied that the proposed landmark meets the registration criteria, it will present a proposal to the Board of Supervisors recommending that the landmark be designated officially as a Local Point of Historical Interest.

If the Board accepts the recommendation, it will pass a resolution containing the official designation. For some property owners, receiving the County's designation is the first step of a process that may include seeking state and national recognition.

California law requires the Commission to notify the Nevada County Recorder within 90 days after a property has been designated as having an historical landmark. The County Recorder must then index the Board resolution, listing the Commission as "Grantor" and the current owner as the "Grantee."

Plaques or Markers

This law has no effect on the property title and is recorded for information purposes only. After receiving their designation, many property owners erect a plaque or other marker commemorating the designation. This is not a requirement of the registration process, and is customarily paid for by the property owner.