(a) No structure that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, on the California Register of Historic Places, or on any local public register of historic places, and that has been damaged due to a natural disaster, including, but not limited to, an earthquake, fire, or flood, may be demolished, destroyed, or significantly altered, except for restoration to preserve or enhance its historical values, unless the structure presents an imminent threat to the public of bodily harm or of damage to adjacent property, or unless the State Office of Historic Preservation determines, pursuant to subdivision (b), that the structure may be demolished, destroyed, or significantly altered.

(b) Any local government may apply to the State Office of Historic Preservation for its determination as to whether a structure meeting the description set forth in subdivision (a) shall be demolished, destroyed, or significantly altered. That determination shall be based upon the extent of damage to the structure, the cost of rehabilitating or reconstructing the structure, the structure’s historical significance, and any other factor deemed by the State Office of Historic Preservation to be relevant. In making that determination, the State Office of Historic Preservation shall consider the recommendation made by a team selected by the State Office of Historic Preservation, composed of three residents with historic preservation expertise who reside in the affected county. The determination of the State Office of Historic Preservation shall be issued no later than 30 days after the structure was damaged, or 30 days after the receipt of the application, whichever occurred later.

(Added by Stats. 1989, 1st Ex. Sess., Ch. 3, Sec. 6. Effective November 7, 1989.)