The California Register of Historical Resources is a California state government program for use by state and local agencies, private groups, and citizens to identify, evaluate, register, and protect California's historical resources.^[1]

The California Register program promotes the public acknowledgment and safeguarding of resources possessing architectural, historical, archaeological, and cultural significance. It plays a role in identifying historical resources for both state and local planning, assessing eligibility for state historic preservation grant funding, and providing specific protections under the California Environmental Quality Act.^[1]

Criteria for Designation

• Connected to events that have significantly influenced the narratives of local or regional history, or the cultural heritage of California or the United States (Criterion 1)^[2]
• Linked to the lives of individuals who played crucial roles in local, California, or national history (Criterion 2).
• Exemplifies the unique features of a specific type, era, region, or construction method, or showcases the craftsmanship of a master or possesses notable artistic qualities (Criterion 3)
• Has produced, or has the potential to produce, valuable information relevant to the prehistory or history of the local area, California, or the nation (Criterion 4)

Effects of Designation

• Partial safeguards: If a project poses a threat to the property, environmental assessment might be necessary under CEQA. It is advisable to reach out to your local planning agency for additional details^[1]
• The State Historical Building Code allows the local building inspector to approve alternative building codes^[1]
• The property owner may engage in a contract with the local assessor for a property tax reduction through the Mills Act. Owners have the option to install their own plaque or marker at the resource site^[1]