The purpose of this chapter is to promote the protection, enhancement, perpetuation, and use of improvements of special character or historical interest or value in the interest of the health, prosperity, safety, and welfare of the people of the City of Mendota by:
A. 
Providing a mechanism to identify and preserve the historic and architectural characteristics of Mendota which represent elements of the City's cultural, social, economic, political and architectural history.
B. 
Promoting civic pride in the beauty and noble accomplishments of the past as represented in Mendota's landmarks and historic preservation districts.
C. 
Stabilizing and improving the economic vitality and value of Mendota's landmarks and historic areas.
D. 
Protecting and enhancing the attractiveness of the City to have buyers, visitors and shoppers and thereby supporting business, commerce, industry, and providing economic benefit to the City.
E. 
Fostering and encouraging preservation, restoration of structures, areas, and neighborhoods and thereby preventing future urban blight.
Unless specifically defined below, words or phrases in this chapter shall be interpreted to give them the same meaning they have in common usage and so as to give this chapter its most reasonable application. As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ADDITION
Any act or process which changes one or more of the exterior architectural features of a structure designated for preservation by adding to, joining with or increasing the size or capacity of the structure.
ALTERATION
Any act or process that changes one or more of the exterior architectural features of a structure, including, but not limited to, the erection, construction, reconstruction, or removal of any structure.
AREA
A specific geographic division of the City of Mendota.
BUILDING
Any structure created for the support, shelter or enclosure of persons, animals or property of any kind and which is permanently affixed to the land.
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
A certificate from the Historic Preservation and Restoration Commission authorizing plans for alterations, construction, removal or demolition of a landmark or site within a designated historic preservation district.
COMMISSION
The Mendota Historic Preservation and Restoration Commission.
COMMISSIONERS
Voting members of the Mendota Historic Preservation and Restoration Commission.
CONSTRUCTION
The act of adding an addition to an existing structure or the erection of a new principal or accessory structure on a lot or property.
COUNCIL
The City Council of the City of Mendota.
DEMOLITION
Any act or process that destroys in part or in whole a landmark or site within an historic preservation district.
DESIGN GUIDELINE
A standard of appropriated activity that will preserve the historic and architectural character of a structure or area.
EXTERIOR ARCHITECTURAL APPEARANCE
The architectural and general composition of the exterior of a structure, including, but not limited to, the kind, color, and the texture of the building material and the type, design and character of all windows, doors, light fixtures, signs, and appurtenant elements.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION DISTRICT
An area designated as an "historic preservation district" by ordinance of the City and which may contain within definable geographic boundaries one or more landmarks and which may have within its boundaries other properties or structures that, while not of such historic and/or architectural significance to be designated as landmarks, nevertheless contribute to the overall visual characteristics of the landmark or landmarks located within the historic preservation district.
LANDMARK
Any building, structure or site which has been designated as a "landmark" by ordinance of the City Council, pursuant to procedures prescribed herein, that is worthy of rehabilitation, restoration, and preservation because of its historic and/or architectural significance to the City of Mendota.
OWNER OF RECORD
The person, corporation, or other legal entity listed as owner on the records of the County Recorder of Deeds.
REHABILITATION
The process of returning a property to a state of utility, through repair or alteration, which makes possible an efficient contemporary use while preserving those portions and features of the property which are significant to its historic, architectural and cultural values.
REMOVAL
Any relocation of a structure on its site or to another site.
REPAIR
Any change that does not require a building permit, that is not construction, relocation or alteration.
STRUCTURAL CHANGE
Any change or repair in the supporting members of a building, structure, roof or exterior walls which would expand or reduce the building in height, width or bulk of the building.
STRUCTURE
Anything constructed or erected, the use of which requires permanent or temporary location on or in the ground, including, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, buildings, fences, gazebos, advertising signs, billboards, backstops for tennis courts, radio and television antennas, including supporting towers, swimming pools, satellite dishes, solar panels and wind generation.