Summary of Design Review Streamlining Ordinance
Section / Topic Current Code Proposed Change Practical Effect / Notes Application
Completeness
25.05.015
No uniform timeline or
explicit expiration.
30-day completeness
determination; applications
expire after 90 days of inactivity.
Minor. Creates predictable timing
and avoids stale applications.
Design Review
Process
25.05.040
Most exterior development
requires full Design Review
Board (“DRB”)/Planning
Commission (“PC”) hearing
on Design Review (“DR”)
entitlement.
Three-tier system: (1) Full
DRB/PC; (2) Zone Clearance
(exempt) (3) Administrative
Design Review (“ADR”).
Community Development
Director (“CDD”) may refer up
from ADR to DRB/PC, and refer
up a DR-exempt project to the
appropriate DR authority.
Major. Small projects no longer
default to DRB/PC—reduces
backlog.
Threshold for Full
Design Review
25.05.040(B)(1)
Many small improvements
require DRB review.
Full DR only for major remodels,
new buildings, >15 ft height,
sensitive areas, steep slopes,
grading >20 CY, retaining walls >5
ft, historic work that does not
qualify for ADR, etc.
Major. Focuses DRB/PC review on
visually/environmentally impactful
projects.
Zone Clearance
25.05.040(B)(2)
No dedicated “ministerial
clearance” category.
Creates a ministerial approval
path for minor changes,
Major. Removes minor/no-impact
items from the public hearing
process entirely.
Attachment 2
76 Section / Topic Current Code Proposed Change Practical Effect / Notes maintenance, small landscaping,
etc.
Administrative
Design Review
25.05.040(B)(3)
Limited improvements that
still require public hearings
Expands ADR for moderate
changes (e.g., landscaping,
minor historic changes, decks > 3
ft, roof dimension changes, etc.)
with option to waive hearing with
notice.
Modest. Adds a middle path that
resolves many projects without
DRB/PC/CDD hearings but still
allows public input and/or referral to
full DRB/PC public hearing
Design Review
Findings
25.05.040(I)
Specifies findings in
paragraph form Require two specific findings Minor. Reduces duplicative analysis Design Review
Criteria
25.05.040(H)
16 criteria 10 Criteria Modest. Reduces duplicative
analysis
Appeals
25.05.070
Strict standards of review;
City Council decisions of
DRB/PC/CDD
Requires de novo hearing to
review for abuse of discretion for
all entitlements; create structure
that City Council reviews DRB/PC
and DRB/PC reviews CDD.
Modest. Makes appeal path less
complex and more efficient
Modifications to
Approved Permits No clear minor-modification
process.
CDD may approve minor
modifications without hearing if
no core change to findings. Larger
Modest. Avoids unnecessary
hearings for small adjustments
during construction.
77 Section / Topic Current Code Proposed Change Practical Effect / Notes
25.05.060 &
25.07.012 (J)
changes return to original
approval body.
“Community
Development
Director” definition
25.07.006
Does not include a
“designee” within CDP
chapter
Adds “designee” within definition Minor. Allows a designee to hold a hearing on a CDP.
Staking
Requirements
25.07.012
No explicit staking
requirement for CDP
Add same staking requirement
for CDPs that exists for DR.
Modest. Ensures protection of
coastal resources and avoids
applicant confusion
Coastal
Development
Permit Exemption
Reporting
25.07.008
Requires online posting and
Coastal Commission
notification when applicable.
Remove need to post CDP
exemption on City website when
non-appealable development
Minor. Reduces burden on City staff
Local Coastal
Program
Amendments
25.07.026
Provides for LCP
amendments but with little
guidance to City staff
Defines LCP amendment as
adding a new use; brings process
up to date
Modest. Provides better guidance to
staff on how to process LCP
amendments.
Environmentally
Sensitive Area
ESA is trigger for DR but there
is no definition
Add environmentally sensitive
area as defined term and define it
Modest. Provides better guidance to
applicants, City staff, and public.
78 Section / Topic Current Code Proposed Change Practical Effect / Notes
25.08.010
to mean same definition as
Coastal Act, include slopes of
30% or greater, and include areas
mapped by City Council
Residential Site
Coverage
Development
Standard
25.10.008
DRB could modify coverage
in limited conditions without
a maximum.
Clarifies DRB authority to modify
up to 5% only to preserve views,
privacy, reduce height, or
maintain neighborhood
character.
Modest. Narrows discretion and
strengthens findings defensibility.
Side Yard
Development
Standard (R-1)
25.10.008
Prohibits accessory
buildings, clotheslines, air
conditioning, and pool
equipment in side yards
Now allows air conditioning and
pool equipment in side yards.
Major. Provide flexibility to
applicants.
R/HP Hillside Zone
Design Review
Criteria
25.15 Broad design review criteria
language.
Remove duplicative design
review criteria as covered by
25.05.040(H) and (I).
Modest. Creates efficiencies for City
staff; improves clarity by including
design review criteria in one place.
Lagunita Zone
Design Review
Criteria
25.24.005
HOA comment required
before City review; broad
design review criteria
language.
HOA comments optional; City
may move forward after 30 days.
Remove duplicative design
review criteria as covered by
25.05.040(H) and (I).
Modest. Stops HOA inaction from
delaying City permitting; Creates
efficiencies for City staff; improves
clarity by including design review
criteria in one place.
79 Section / Topic Current Code Proposed Change Practical Effect / Notes South Laguna
Village Zone Design
Review Criteria
25.25.010
Broad design review criteria
language.
Repealed. Remove duplicative
design review criteria as covered
by 25.05.040(H) and (I).
Modest. Creates efficiencies for City
staff; improves clarity by including
design review criteria in one place.
Institutional Zone
Design Review
Criteria
25.28.040
Broad design review criteria
language.
Repealed. Remove duplicative
design review criteria as covered
by 25.05.040(H) and (I).
Modest. Creates efficiencies for City
staff; improves clarity by including
design review criteria in one place.
Arch Beach Heights
Zone Design Review
Criteria
25.35.070; 25.35.080
Broad design review criteria
language.
Remove duplicative design
review criteria as covered by
25.05.040(H) and (I).
Modest. Creates efficiencies for City
staff; improves clarity by including
design review criteria in one place.
Specific Plan (Sarah
Thurston Park)
Design Review
Criteria
25.39.100
Broad design review criteria
language.
Remove duplicative design
review criteria as covered by
25.05.040(H) and (I).
Modest. Creates efficiencies for City
staff; improves clarity by including
design review criteria in one place.
Three Arch Bay Zone
Design Review
Criteria
Broad design review criteria
language.
HOA comments optional; City
may move forward after 30 days.
Remove duplicative design
Modest. Stops HOA inaction from
delaying City permitting; Creates
efficiencies for City staff; improves
80 Section / Topic Current Code Proposed Change Practical Effect / Notes
25.44.060
review criteria as covered by
25.05.040(H) and (I).
clarity by including design review
criteria in one place.
Diamond Crestview
Design Review
Criteria
25.49 Broad reference to design
guidelines as part of specific
plan
Remove reference to design
guidelines
Modest. Allows flexibility with design
guidelines.
Historic
Preservation
25.45 Sets forth procedure to alter
historic resource
Better identifies review procedure
and specifies that the absence of
a fully executed and recorded
historic resources preservation
agreement is not conclusive
evidence that property is not on
register.
Modest. Provides better guidance to
City staff on how to process
applications relating to historic
resources
Sign Permits
25.54.018
Identifies certain types of
signs that qualify for
administrative review by CDD
Adds replacement signs as
subject to administrative review
by CDD
Modest. Reduces backlog
Sign Permits
25.54.018
Allows for appeals of CDD
decisions on sign permits
within 10 calendar days
Allows for appeals of CDD and
PC decisions within same limits
as general appeal procedures
Minor. Streamlines appeals process
through the code and makes it more
consistent.
Sign Permits
25.54.026
Grants PC the authority to set
the sign standards for public
benefit non-profit arts
Grants PC the same authority for
public benefit non-profit cultural
institutions.
Minor. Broadens the scope of sign
flexibility for Arts Organizations to
81 Section / Topic Current Code Proposed Change Practical Effect / Notes organizations, which have
special needs for signage.
Arts and Cultural Organizations,
which have similar needs.
Wireless
25.55.006
Requires design review and
conditional use permit for
city / other local or regional
public agencies
Create exemption from permit
requirements for City or other
local or regional public agency
project
Modest. Improve wireless coverage
for projects; reduce discretionary
permit requirement for projects that
do not afford much discretion with
placement
General Plan
Amendments
25.58 Silent. Create procedure for
amendments to General Plan
Minor. Provide guidance and training
to City staff.
Grading Permit
Exemption
22.10.010
Require grading permit for
backfill for swimming pool
Remove grading permit
requirement
Modest. Implement industry
practice; reduce backlog.
82