Santa Ana Neighborhoods
Heninger Park is a neighborhood of early-1900s homes south of First Street, near Downtown Santa Ana, known for its Craftsman bungalows. Since 1986 it has been a local historic district, so exterior work on a home there goes through City review.
Heninger Park is named for brothers H. B. and Martin Heninger. H. B. had lived in Santa Ana since 1903, and Martin joined him in 1906. In 1907 the brothers bought 34 acres of land, now called Heninger Park, and later added two more tracts of 10 and 18 acres. They planted trees and put in sidewalks and curbs, then built about 150 homes over roughly twelve years. Most of the lots were built out by the end of the 1920s.
Heninger Park is best known for its Craftsman bungalows, with their wide front porches, exposed beams and deep eaves. Other early-20th-century styles sit alongside them, so the streets show a range of designs from the same era.
Residents began organizing to protect the neighborhood in the early 1980s. In March 1986, after a public hearing where residents spoke in support, the Santa Ana City Council approved the Heninger Park Historic District. The plan rezoned the area, generally bounded by Flower Street, First Street, McFadden Avenue and a line just west of Main Street, to a special zone: Specific Development No. 40, or SD-40. It became Santa Ana's second local historic district, after French Park.
Heninger Park is not on the National Register of Historic Places. Its protection comes from local zoning, which is the part that most affects owners.
Within SD-40, exterior work goes through City review before permits are issued. That covers new construction, restoration, rehabilitation, alterations, conversions, additions and accessory structures such as garages. Interior work isn't part of this review.
Design guidelines: projects follow the Heninger Park Architectural Design Guidelines, and new work has to use one of the district's historic architectural styles. Work on historic buildings is also measured against the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation.
Neighborhood review: plans go to the City's Planning Division, which forwards them to the Heninger Park Architectural Review Committee, a volunteer group of neighborhood residents and owners, for comments.
Who approves: City staff can approve minor exterior changes, and major changes go to a City commission. Since July 2026, that has been the Planning Commission, which took over the duties of the Historic Resources Commission.
Check with the City's Planning Division before you plan or price exterior work. The process depends on the property and the scope of the project.
Being in SD-40 doesn't make a home eligible for a Mills Act contract by itself. In Santa Ana, the property must be listed on the Santa Ana Register of Historical Properties. The City inspects the property first and won't accept an application if it finds unpermitted work. A contract approved in a given year takes effect the following tax year.
If you're buying, confirm the home is inside SD-40, then look at its permit history. Unpermitted additions, or window and garage changes, can matter later if you want to make your own changes or apply for a Mills Act contract. If you're planning work after you buy, find out early whether it would count as a minor or major exterior change.
If you're selling, gather the home's permit records, any prior City approvals and, if it applies, its Santa Ana Register or Mills Act status. Buyers of historic homes will ask for them.
Yes. It's a local historic district the City of Santa Ana approved in 1986 as Specific Development No. 40 (SD-40). It isn't listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Generally, yes. Exterior work goes through City review under the Heninger Park Architectural Design Guidelines, with comments from the neighborhood's Architectural Review Committee. Staff can approve minor changes, and major changes go to the Planning Commission.
It's near Downtown Santa Ana. The SD-40 zone is generally bounded by Flower Street, First Street, McFadden Avenue and a line just west of Main Street.
Only if it's listed on the Santa Ana Register of Historical Properties. Being inside SD-40 isn't enough by itself, and the City inspects the property before accepting an application.
Yes. Evelyn works with clients in English and Spanish. Hablamos español.
Heninger Park is one of several Santa Ana neighborhoods with historic homes. The Santa Ana guide covers the rest of the city, including its rent rules and first-time buyer program.
Looking at a Heninger Park home? Tell us the address, and we'll help you check its SD-40 status, its permit history and what City review would apply to the work you're planning.
Talk to Evelyn →