Update
Thank you to those who participated in the April 2025 workshops and provided input on the Draft Policy Updates and Ordinance Amendments document.
Based on the input received, Los Angeles City Planning is continuing to refine the staff recommendations that will be considered by the Cultural Heritage Commission to inform their recommendation to the City Council.
In light of the City of Los Angeles’s fiscal year 2025-26 budget challenges and in order to move forward with some of the program changes related to fiscal sustainability, City Planning is preparing to update the fee structure for the Mills Act program as part of a comprehensive study of all Planning fees that is currently underway.
Mills Act Draft Policy Document
In response to a motion adopted by the City Council (Council File No. 23-0331), Los Angeles City Planning prepared a Draft Policy Updates and Ordinance Amendments document for the Mills Act program based on the 2022 Assessment Report completed by historic preservation consultant, Chattel, Inc., and subconsultant, AECOM. The goals of the proposed updates and amendments outlined in the document are the long-term sustainability of the program and a more equitable distribution of program benefits throughout the city. As directed by the motion, a report will be presented before the Cultural Heritage Commission for their review and consideration in making final recommendations to the City Council.
Outreach
Draft Policy Updates and Ordinance Amendments
City Planning conducted two outreach events to solicit input on the Draft Policy Updates and Ordinance Amendments.
On April 24, 2025, staff presented the Draft Policy Updates and Ordinance Amendments at a meeting of the Cultural Heritage Commission. In addition, on April 28, 2025, staff conducted an online workshop via Zoom.
The Department also collected public feedback from March 14, 2025, until May 23, 2025, via an online form and email.
Assessment Report and Recommendations
Staff conducted initial outreach and gathered feedback on the 2022 Assessment Report and Recommendations at a Cultural Heritage Committee meeting on July 21, 2022, as well as an evening workshop held via Zoom on August 8, 2022.
Feedback was also collected through an online form and via e-mail from July 21, 2022, to September 15, 2022. Staff presented a summary of the feedback to the Cultural Heritage Commission on December 1, 2022.
Background
Due to the program’s success, the total number of Mills Act Historical Property Contracts has expanded beyond the capacity of City staff to properly administer the program. State law has also evolved to require more rigor in program management by municipalities.
City Planning has undertaken a comprehensive assessment to evaluate the sustainability and equity of the City’s Mills Act Historical Property Contract program. The Department contracted with historic preservation consultant, Chattel, Inc., and subconsultant, AECOM, to conduct the assessment and prepare a report with recommendations. The assessment analyzed a variety of program components, including staffing requirements, revenue streams to support the program, data management, and the allocation of property tax savings among existing contracts to determine the geographic distribution of program participation. The assessment found that there are insufficient dedicated financial and staffing resources to effectively manage the program and an unequal distribution of program benefits across the city.
In an effort to strengthen and potentially expand the program, the assessment identified operational and administrative improvements to make the program more effective and sustainable, with a focus on a more equitable distribution of the program’s benefits. The results of the study are outlined in an Assessment Report with an Executive Summary that includes Recommendations for policy changes and ordinance amendments for the program. The assessment organizes its analysis and recommendations into two primary sections, addressing program sustainability and program equity.
In 2023, the City Council adopted a motion directing City Planning to prepare a report with recommendations, ordinance amendments, and administrative changes to the Mills Act program based on the assessment report and community input for review and consideration by the Cultural Heritage Commission. The motion further directed the Cultural Heritage Commission to submit its final recommendations for consideration by the Council.
For additional information, please view the Fact Sheet and Frequently Asked Questions.
Timeline
To receive updates, sign up to subscribe to City Planning emails and click “Mills Act Program” under Current Planning Initiatives.
Materials
Draft Policy Updates and Ordinance Amendments Presentation from April 28, 2025
Presentation from July 21, 2022 and August 8, 2022
Staff Responses to Questions from Informational Sessions
City Planning Memo to the Cultural Heritage Commission, dated December 1, 2022
Presentation from December 1, 2022 Cultural Heritage Commission Meeting
