Chapter 19.41 — DESIGN PERMITS

The purpose of this chapter is to ensure excellence in site planning and architectural design, consistent with the general plan, and applicable local, regional, and state development policies, and municipal code standards.

(Ord. No. 2024-06 Section 1; Ord. 2001-02 § 1, 2001.)

Design permit approval by the community development director, planning commission, or city council is required for the following:

(A) New structures, except single-family detached dwellings and their attendant accessory structures constructed on a parcel of land. However, when a builder constructs three or more single-family dwellings in a single subdivision in one year, or on a single block in one year if the lots are not located within a subdivision, the dwelling units shall be subject to approval of a design permit.

(B) Proposed outdoor land use(s).

(C) Alterations of land in commercial or industrial districts, and/or of sites of more than one acre in residential districts that have no prior documented approvals.

(Ord. No. 2024-06 Section 1; Ord. 2001-02 § 1, 2001; Ord. 2009-10 § 3, 2009.)

Except as provided in this chapter, no building or structure may be erected, and no proposed outdoor land use may permitted until a design permit application has been approved by the community development director, planning commission, or city council as required below. Such review and approval may take place concurrently with the review of any other required approvals.

(A) Community Development Department Director Approvals. The community development director may approve the following design permit applications. No public hearing shall be required unless the design permit is being processed concurrently with other applications for which a hearing is required. In this case, the design permit shall be considered at the same public hearing.

(1) Two-family dwellings and appurtenant accessory structures.

• (2) Multifamily projects containing fewer than five units.

(3) Commercial structures containing less than five thousand square feet total, industrial structures containing less than twenty thousand square feet total.

• (4) Proposed outdoor land use(s).

(B) Planning Commission Approvals. The planning commission may approve the following design permit applications following a public hearing pursuant to the procedures set forth in Chapter 19.40:

• (1) Multifamily dwelling projects containing five or more units.

(2) The construction in one year by a single builder of three or more single-family dwellings in a single subdivision, or on a single block if the lots are not located within a subdivision, except such construction in the PC zone district.

(3) Commercial structures containing five thousand total square feet or more and industrial structures containing twenty thousand square feet or more.

(4) Sign programs requiring commission approval, pursuant to Chapter 19.23.

• (5) Small-cell antenna facilities that do not comply with standards described in Chapter 19.53.

(6) Design permit applications referred to the commission by the director because of unique circumstances, potential public controversy, or a need for policy direction.

(C) City Council Approvals. The City Council may approve a design permit following a recommendation by the Planning Commission when the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) environmental review requires a statement of overriding considerations pursuant to Section 19.01.060(C).

(Ord. No. 2024-06 Section 1; Ord. 2001-02 § 1, 2001; Ord. 2009-10 § 3, 2009; Ord. 2018-05 § 7, 2018.)

The following areas of design shall be considered in reviewing design permits:

• (A) Site Planning.

  • (1) Setbacks, site coverage, building heights, and outdoor use areas,

  • (2) Parking, and vehicular and pedestrian circulation,

  • (3) Preservation of natural site amenities,

  • (4) Required landscaping, outdoor lighting, and outdoor furniture,

  • (5) Usability of required public and private open spaces.

• (B) Structural Design.

  • (1) Compliance with required scale, mass, bulk, and proportions,

  • (2) Compliance with required building materials and detailing for all structures,

  • (3) Screening of utility, mechanical facilities, and outdoor storage,

  • (4) Compliance with required fence and wall design,

(5) Compliance with required architectural elements that contribute to visual interest and variety, including variation to wall planes, multiple roof lines and defined entries.

(Ord. No. 2024-06 Section 1; Ord. 2001-02 § 1, 2001.)

Approval of a design permit application may be granted by the appropriate decision-making authority only if all the following findings are made:

(A) The project complies with all applicable provisions of this title and any applicable approvals granted for the project by any decision-making authority.

(B) The project and its design complies with any applicable design guidelines.

(C) The project and its design complies with all applicable general plan policies, and applicable local, regional, and state development policies, and municipal code standards.

(D) The project complies with applicable policies of the Napa County Airport land use compatibility plan.

(E) The proposed design provides for adequate and safe on-site vehicular and pedestrian circulation.

(Ord. No. 2024-06 Section 1; Ord. 2001-02 § 1, 2001; Ord. 2010-03 § 3, 2010.)

(A) If the project for which a design permit has been approved pursuant to this chapter has not been inaugurated within two years of the granting of the design permit, the approval shall become null and void and of no effect. This provision shall not apply to applications approved in conjunction with another discretionary permit. In such cases, the expiration period shall coincide with that of the associated period.

(B) An extension of time may be granted by the community development director upon the written request by a responsible party before the expiration of the two-year period, provided that:

• (1) There have been no changes in the approved plans; and

(2) There has been no change of circumstances which would prevent any of the required findings of approval from being made.

(Ord. No. 2024-06 Section 1; Ord. 2001-02 § 1, 2001.)