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This is a guide to researching historic properties in the City of Los Angeles (of course, some of the resources listed here will also provide information about other cities as well). This guide is broken down into sections based on typical research needs: 

        Researching the site

        Researching the building

        Researching the people and events

        Additional Resources

Researching your Historic Home: News & Updates

HELPFUL LINKS

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The Detailed Project Report (DPR)  is a compilation of the survey done to define and establish the area of the  proposed Historic Protective Overlay Zone.  Each page contains a detailed description of the property and a photograph taken at the time of the survey,

Here you can find instructions on how to look up your property using the City's ZIMAS records

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The California Historical Society Collection is incomparable for the documentary picture it provides of the growth of Southern California, particularly the development of the Los Angeles region, between 1860 and 1960. The collection contains more than 25,000 photographs.

Building Permits (from 1905 to present)
Certificates of Occupancy (from 1940 to present)
Range Files (violations)
Plot Plans
Geology/Soils Reports
Affidavits/ZIs
Approved Building Plans
Board Files
Administrative Approvals
Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical (from 1985 to 1990 and from 1996 to present)

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Here you will find the largest archives of newspapers between the 1700's - 2000's. Included is more than 18,300+ newspapers and millions of pages added daily!

Browse through home styles and house plans from the various architects from the early 20th century.

Researching your Historic Home: Meet the Team
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