Featured image credit: Jerrye & Roy Klotz, M.D.
Few cities can boast the mid-century modern architectural history that Palm Springs proudly preserves. But if you’ve shopped for historic houses for sale in the Palm Springs area, you’ve likely been confronted by an unfamiliar term that can throw unprepared buyers for a loop: Class 1 historic site. It may sound like dense real estate jargon, but it’s actually one of the most crucial distinctions a Palm Springs property can carry. And it informs what you can (and can’t) renovate, not to mention what you’ll need to pay in property taxes.
Old Doesn’t Always Mean Historic
In Palm Springs, it’s common to find older homes brimming with historic charm. But that doesn’t necessarily mean these homes have been classified as “historic” on the legal level. A historic classification lends certain protections and benefits to a property. But some mid-century modern masterpieces are simply older properties that don’t enjoy such protections. The City Council must designate historic properties through official resolution. And this means confirming that these historic houses for sale have architectural, cultural, aesthetic, or, yes, historic significance. Therefore, an older home must also demonstrate a strong connection to the history of the Palm Springs community to be considered a legally historic property.
So, what’s a Class 1 Historic Site? In Palm Springs, the City Council uses a two-tiered system to assess historic homes. Therefore, if you’re browsing historic houses for sale in Palm Springs, you may run aground of homes designated as either Class 1 or Class 2 historic sites. Class 1 is the more elite of the two classifications, denoting the most prestigious historic designation available to the community.
How is a Home Submitted for Historic Assessment in Palm Springs?
So, what if you think a Palm Springs home should be officially classified as historic? You can get the process started by submitting an application to the owner (or a personal representative of the owner). However, you’ll need to first make an appointment for a pre-application conference with Palm Springs’ Historic Preservation Officer. This opens the door for the city to research the history of the named property and evaluate its architectural significance before the Historic Site Preservation and City Council get involved.
Recently, a home in Deepwell Estates designed by architect E. Stewart Williams and a 1948 Little Tuscany property rebuilt by architect William Cody in 1965 have been submitted through the process, indicating there’s no “one size fits all” designation for historic significance. But this also underscores that not every old home on the market fits the bill for historic houses for sale.
Are Palm Springs’ Historic Houses for Sale in Your Best Interest?
The truth is that not every homeowner wants to deal with the complexities of a historic designation. Two major factors automatically change once a Palm Springs home earns a Class 1 distinction.
(1.) Renovation restrictions tighten up. If you’re considering historic houses for sale in Palm Springs, it’s important to recognize that you can’t simply raze a Class 1 or Class 2 historic home for your own interests. You must first obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness prior to obtaining any building or zoning permits. Changes are only permitted if they’re shown to protect the home’s historic character.
(2.) You may be able to access unique tax benefits. In Palm Springs, Class 1 properties are eligible for a California program called the Mills Act. The Mills Act permits qualifying homeowners to earn property tax relief in exchange for a commitment to rehabilitate and maintain the historical and architectural character of the property for a minimum of 10 years. It’s important to note that the state utilizes valuation based on income as opposed to standard market value.
Do You Have What It Takes to Own a Class 1 Home?
For those already shopping for historic houses for sale around Palm Springs, a Class 1 home could be very well worth the extra work. Not only are there the tax savings to consider, but a certain sense of honor and prestige that comes with being the steward of sorts for a verified piece of community history.
If you notice a Class 1 status designation when browsing historic houses for sale in Palm Springs, it’s worth reaching out to a reputed local agent to gather the specifics of any existing Mills Act contracts. An agent can also help you determine any pre-approved alterations and what you’d need to do to secure a Certificate of Appropriateness for future renovations. Historic homes aren’t for everyone. But for the right buyer, they may be the defining dream home. You just need to know what to expect!
With a brand that says as much as JohnHart’s, Senior Copywriter Seth Styles never finds himself at a loss for words. Responsible for maintaining the voice of the company, he spends each day drafting marketing materials, blogs, bios, and agent resources that speak from the company’s collective mind and Hart… errr, heart.
Having spent over a decade in creative roles across a variety of industries, Seth brings with him vast experience in SEO practices, digital marketing, and all manner of professional writing with particular strength in blogging, content creation, and brand building. Gratitude, passion, and sincerity remain core tenets of his unwavering work ethic. The landscape of the industry changes daily, paralleling JohnHart’s efforts to {re}define real estate, but Seth works to maintain the company’s consistent message while offering both agents and clients a new echelon of service.
When not preserving the JohnHart essence in stirring copy, Seth puts his efforts into writing and illustrating an ongoing series entitled The Death of Romance. In addition, he adores spending quality time with his girlfriend and Romeo (his long-haired chihuahua mix), watching ‘70s and ‘80s horror movies, and reading (with a particular penchant for Victorian horror novels and authors Yukio Mishima and Bret Easton Ellis). He also occasionally records music as the vocalist and songwriter for his glam rock band, Peppermint Pumpkin.
