Architectural Review

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General Overview

The Architectural Review process was established to encourage the orderly and harmonious appearance of structures and property; maintain the public health, safety and welfare; maintain the property and improvement values throughout the City and to encourage the physical development of the City as intended by the General Plan.

The Director of Community Development, or designee, is the decision-making authority for Architectural Review applications in accordance with Zoning Code Chapter 18.120.

Review Criteria

Projects will be reviewed for consistency with zoning standards prior to submittal for building permits. Projects may be reviewed administratively without a public hearing, EXCEPT when the following criteria applies:

New or expanded single-family homes resulting in:
- Five or more bedrooms; or
- Five or more bathrooms; or
- Two or more bedrooms with direct exterior access; or
- A new second story or the expansion of an existing second story.
Residential parcel or subdivision maps and any associated development plans.
New multi-family developments of any size.
New freestanding non-residential development greater than 5,000 square feet in size.
Modifications or additions to existing non-residential development, where the modification or addition is greater than 20,000 square feet in size.
Demolition or alterations to properties on the City’s Historic Resources Inventory (HRI).
Demolition of an existing structure, other than a non-habitable accessory structure.
Any other project not listed above that the Director determines should be considered at a public hearing.

Projects meeting the above criteria shall be reviewed through the Development Review Hearing process.

How to Apply for Architectural Review?

STEP 1: Read through the application submittal requirements contained in the Application Checklists:

Single-Family/Duplex (pdf)
Multi-family, Mixed-Use and Commercial (pdf)

Understand the process:

If no hearing is necessary, consult the Architectural Review (Minor Project Process) flowchart (pdf)
If a hearing is necessary, consult the Architectural Review (Development Review Hearing) flowchart (pdf)

STEP 2: Register for the Permitting Online Portal.

For instructions on how to register and use the permitting online portal, please review the user guide (pdf).

STEP 3: Submit your application, required materials from application checklist, plans, and fees through the Permitting Online Portal.

For the application, the following information will need to be verified:

Zoning of the property: MapSantaClara
Historic status: Historic Resources Map
Size of the lot and existing building square footage
Consistency with the applicable design guidelines:
- Single-Family Residential Design Guidelines (pdf)
- Community Design Guidelines (pdf)
- For projects located within Specific Plans, consult the Specific Plan requirements.

Once submitted, the application will be assigned to a project manager who will contact you to inform you of any action, meeting date, or whether further information is needed.

Appeals

All Development Review Hearing decisions are final, unless appealed in writing to the Planning Commission or City Council, as applicable, within seven calendar days by 5 p.m. Fees must be paid for the appeal to be valid.

Submit your Planning Appeal Form (pdf) and fees through the Permitting Online Portal.

Development Review Hearing Dates and Agendas

The meetings are held on scheduled Wednesday afternoons at 4 p.m. in the City Council Chambers and are subject to public noticing requirements. To view current and past meeting agendas and material, please go to Development Review Hearing Meeting s Online

2024 Development Review Hearing Schedule of Meetings

2025 Development Review Hearing Schedule of Meetings

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Last Updated:

10-30-2024