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Ordinance Fact Sheet
March 23, 2026
TO: CITY COUNCIL
FROM: CITY ATTORNEY
SUBJECT: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PASADENA AMENDING TITLE 17 (ZONING CODE), CHAPTER 61 (PERMIT APPROVAL OR
DISAPPROVAL), SECTION 17.61.030 (DESIGN REVIEW) OF THE
PASADENA MUNICIPAL CODE, AND ADDING SECTION 17.50.165
(OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS FOR HIGH-DENSITY HOUSING)
TO CHAPTER 17.50 (STANDARDS FOR SPECIFIC LAND USES) TO
THE PASADENA MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADOPT OBJECTIVE
DESIGN STANDARDS FOR HIGH-DENSITY HOUSING AND MODIFY
THE DESIGN REVIEW PROCESS FOR SUCH PROJECTS
Tm-^QEPRpPOSED ORDINANCE
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PASADENA AMENDING TITLE 17
(ZONING CODE), CHAPTER 61 (PERMIT APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL), SECTION 17.61.030 (DESIGN REVIEW) OF THE PASADENA MUNICIPAL CODE, AND ADDING SECTION 17.50.165 (OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS FOR HIGH-DENSITY HOUSING) TO CHAPTER 17.50 (STANDARDS FOR
SPECIFIC LAND USES) TO THE PASADENA MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADOPT
OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS FOR HIGH-DENSITY HOUSING AND
MODIFY THE DESIGN REVIEW PROCESS FOR SUCH PROJECTS
PURPOSE OF THE ORDINANCE
As directed by the City Council on December 8, 2025, this ordinance amends the Zoning Code to adopt objective design standards for high-density housing, which includes residential and mixed-use development at proposed densities greater than 48 dwelling units per acre outside the RM Zoning Districts. The purpose of the ordinance is to adopt standards for development that involve no personal or subjective judgment, and to allow a consolidated concept and final design review process for such projects.
MEETING OF 03/23/2026
19 AGENDA ITEM NO.
Objective Design Standards
March 23, 2026
REASONS WHY LEGISLATION IS NEEDED
Under Senate Bill 330, design standards established on or after January 1,2020,shall be objective standards. Cities may not enact a development policy, standard, or condition that would impose or enforce design standards established on or after January 1, 2020, that are not objective.
Planning has existing development and design standards, and identified opportunities to incorporate additional objective design standards for building entries, facade detailing, fenestration, massing and materiality. This legislation is needed to implement those design standards.
PROGRAMS. DEPARTMENTS OR GROUPS AFFECTED
Planning will implement this ordinance, which makes changes citywide and that will affect various classes of permit applicants.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION
On December 8, 2025, the City Council found the action herein is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), the "Common Sense" exemption. This exemption states that CEQA applies only to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Such is the case with the proposed amendments that create objective design standards for high-density residential development. The whole of this amendment was adequately addressed by the Council's finding on December 8, 2025.
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Objective Design Standards
March 23, 2026
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact as a result of this ordinance amendment.
Respectfully submitted,
lichele BealBagneri^^'^
City Attorney G/
Prepared by:
Caroline K.'Monroy^
Assistant City Attorney
Concurred by:
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MIGUEL ^4)^RQUEZ
City Manager
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