Historic District and Landmarks Commission

The City's Historic District and Landmarks Commission consists of seven unpaid members appointed by the Mayor with the approval of the City Council. Members of the commission must be residents, business owners, business operators, or property owners within the City. The Commission has the power and authority to perform all of the duties enumerated and provided in Section 17.04.051 of the Yreka Municipal Codes. Appointments are made for a three-year term. In the event of a vacancy occurring during the term of a member of the Commission, the Mayor makes an interim appointment to fill the unexpired term of such member.

Current Historic Commission Members

• Maytha Reather , Chair
• John Mercier
• Paul McCoy
• Stephanie Vanden Broeck
• Don East
• Bryan Foster
• Peter Obrien

Purpose of the Historic District and Landmarks Commission is to promote the public health, safety and general welfare by establishing procedures, regulations and conditions for the preservation, protection, enhancement, restoration, rehabilitation, perpetuation and use of improvements, buildings, structures, signs, objects, sites and areas within the City for the following reasons:

• To preserve, protect, enhance and perpetuate certain improvements, buildings and structures which reflect outstanding elements of the City's cultural, artistic, social, economic, political, architectural, engineering, historic or other heritage;
• To foster civic pride in the beauty and accomplishments of the past by controlling indiscriminate erection of new structures and buildings and by fostering proper and repair of existing improvements, structures and buildings;
• To enhance property values and to increase the economic and financial benefits to the City and its inhabitants;
• To protect and enhance the City's attraction to tourists and visitors;
• To promote the continuing use of outstanding structures thereby serving as a stimulus and support to business and industry;
• To promote and encourage continued private ownership and utilization of improvements, structures and buildings to the end that the objectives listed in this section can be attained;
• To encourage, develop and maintain appropriate environments for improvements, buildings and structures within the City;
• To preserve and encourage harmonious architectural styles, emphasizing the preservation of architectural styles existing in the area of the City prior to 1910 and secondarily emphasizing other distinct and noteworthy architectural styles reflecting the phases of the City's history;
• To foster knowledge of the living heritage of the past to achieve the enrichment of human life in its educational and cultural dimensions in order to serve spiritual as well as material needs. (Ord 539 part), 1977: Ord. 480 (part), 1972)

When Permits are Required

• It is unlawful for any person to tear down, demolish, construct, alter or remove any improvement, or any portion thereof, which has been designated a landmark or landmark site pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, or which lies within a historic district; or to alter in any manner an exterior architectural feature of such a landmark, landmark site or improvement within a historic district; or to place, erect, alter or relocate any sign within a historic district or on a landmark or landmark site, without first obtaining a permit to do so in the manner provided in this chapter. (Ord. 539 (part), 1977: Ord. 480 (part), 1972).

Permits are not required for alteration, rehabilitation, restoration or remodeling which does not alter any improvement, building, structure, landmark or landmark site as to its exterior appearance.

The Yreka Historic District and Landmarks Commission meets the 2nd Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm in the Yreka City Council Chambers located at City Hall - 701 Fourth Street

To view the minutes of Historic District and Landmarks Commission meetings.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Historic District and Landmarks Commission you may view and print a 
Historic District and Landmarks Commission Application (PDF).

Contact us for more information.