The city developers in Santa Barbara started development controls in 1925, as a way to prevent the Spanish influenced buildings from being destroyed. It was the first area where its residents considered the significance of preserving historical structures. The new laws were established in order to maintain the buildings and parks. The historical landmarks protection started being implemented in 1960.
Read more: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/kenny-slaught-discusses-history-architecture-061351293.html