Any project that requires discretionary review (design review / development review) must submit a Planning Application. For minor design review projects, see Administrative Design Review.
The City recently updated its ADU Ordinance to comply with recent changes in State law. If you meet the criteria for ministerial approval, you may submit directly to Building & Safety. If your project requires discretionary review (design review and development review), you must submit a Planning Application with the supplemental ADU application below.
A number of minor design review projects may be approved by staff without a public hearing. If you meet the criteria for Administrative Design Review and your project requires a building permit, complete the Administrative Design Review Supplemental Application and submit it directly to Building & Safety along with your building permit application.
Use these calculators to help determine the allowable residential density on a lot or the maximum FAR.
Applicants are encouraged to submit these optional checklists for Full Board/Commission projects to demonstrate how your project meets the City’s discretionary Design Guidelines.
All discretionary decisions are subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Environmental document preparation and review occurs at the same time and in parallel with all other project review. The following handouts provide information about environmental screening and City-qualified consultants.
The following handouts provide additional information about specific project types and planning & zoning resources.
Deciding if a project is worth pursuing can be difficult to figure out. The City offers several options to participate in informal pre-application meetings with staff or one of the City’s design review bodies. In general, you can expect a determination letter in 4-6 weeks.
All new signs and outdoor vending machines require a Sign Permit. Complete the Sign Permit (SGN) Application and submit it online for review.
Supplemental applications and checklists collect additional information required for project-specific reviews and processes and are a required component of an application.
Information and submittal requirements for trees and landscaping, fences and hedges, and view dispute issues: