About the Project:
The Department is preparing an update to the Design Review (DR) Ordinance to achieve these goals:
- Update existing Design Review standards with the goal to make them more objective, in response to State Laws preventing the County’s ability to apply design review standards which are not objective to certain projects.
- Simplify application of required standards by eliminating duplicate, repetitive standards and clarifying confusing standards.
- Allow for more design flexibility to reflect contemporary styles.
To collect Bayside Design Review Committee (BDRC) and the Coastside Design Review Committee (CDRC) feedback on the draft design standards, the draft design standards were made available for review in Summer 2025. The BDRC reviewed the standards at their September and October 2025 public meetings. The CDRC reviewed the standards at their August, September, and October 2025 public meetings.
The Department made a presentation to the Midcoast Community Council on October 22, 2025, with discussion focused on standards regulating exterior lighting. The tentative date for Planning Commission review and recommendation to the Board of Supervisors is January 2026. The tentative date for Board of Supervisors review and adoption is February 2026.
The draft ordinance will be made available prior to the schedule Planning Commission hearing date.
County File No. PLN2025-00232
Contact:
For questions or comments about this project, please contact Camille Leung
Public Meetings:
BDRC: September 2025
BDRC: October 2025
CDRC: August 2025
CDRC: September 2025
CDRC: October 2025
Midcoast Community Council on October 22, 2025
Upcoming Hearings:
Planning Commission: Tentatively scheduled for January 14, 2026
Board of Supervisors: Tentatively scheduled for February 10, 2026