Certified Local Government Program (CLG)

clg cover imageThe 1980 amendments to the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, provided for the establishment of a Certified Local Government Program (CLG) to encourage the direct participation of local governments in the identification, evaluation, registration, and preservation of historic properties within their jurisdictions and promote the integration of local preservation interests and concerns into local planning and decision-making processes. The CLG program is a partnership among local governments, the State of California (OHP), and the National Park Service (NPS) which is responsible for administering the National Historic Preservation Program. 

As part of the CLG Program, federal grants are awarded annually to local governments to assist with historic preservation programs. The most recent California CLG grant recipients are posted to our CLG Grant Awards page. 
To learn more about the grant program, please visit our CLG Grant Program webpage.

2022-2023 CLG Annual Reports

As part of the Certified Local Government reporting requirements, CLG's submit an annual report to help the OHP track the local preservation program's ongoing activities. In order to compete for the 2024-2025 grant cycle, you must submit your completed 2022-2023 Annual Report by April 26, 2024. Extended to June 7, 2024.
 
 
Statement of Professional Qualifications (to be included with the Annual Report)
 
The annual report template and instructions were emailed on January 3, 2024, via the CLG listserv to all CLG Contacts currently on file with our office. Note: The Annual Report Template will not be posted to this page; it is available by email only. If you did not receive the email and template, please contact our office as soon as possible at info.calshpo@parks.ca.gov. Include "CLG Annual Report Template Request" in the Subject line of your message. 

What are the requirements to be a CLG?

  • Enforce appropriate state and local laws and regulations for the designation and protection of historic properties;
  • Establish an historic preservation review commission by local ordinance;
  • Maintain a system for the survey and inventory of historic properties;
  • Provide for public participation in the local preservation program; and
  • Satisfactorily perform responsibilities delegated to it by the state.

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How can a local government get certified?

Any general purpose political subdivision with land-use authority is eligible to become a CLG. A local government may apply to become a CLG by submitting an application, signed by the chief elected official of the applying local government, to OHP. If the applicant meets the criteria, OHP will forward the application and recommend certification to the NPS who makes the final cerification decision. When the NPS is in agreement with OHP's recommendation, a certification agreement is signed by OHP and the local government, completing the certification process. It is the local government that is certified, not simply the preservation commission.

Certified Local Government Application & Procedures Manual  

Why become a CLG?

What’s in it for the local jurisdiction? Why would you want to associate your local preservation program with state and federal programs? Would you be giving up autonomy?

Answers

CLG LISTSERV

CALCLG-L is maintained by the California State Office of Historic Preservation and is one of the ways we disseminate CLG program information and provide technical assistance to CLGs. It also serves as an open forum for the posting of questions by list members and discussion of issues of interest to CLGs.

This list is open to Office of Historic Preservation staff, local government CLG coordinators, planners, members of local historical review commissions or boards, and other local government employees or volunteers who have professional responsibilities or interests related to their Certified Local Government Program. Guest memberships are available to staff members of cities who are considering or in the process of becoming CLGS.

To subscribe to the listserv, send your request to info.calshpo@parks.ca.gov. Include "CLG Listserv Subscription Request" in your email's Subject line.