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Chapter 30 — Zoning

§ 30-45. DESIGN REVIEW.

Compton Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-07 · Compton

§ 30-45.1. Purpose.

[Ord. #2101, § 20]

The purpose of the design provisions of this Chapter is to guarantee that projects within the City will conform to sound design principles regarding the construction and appearance of buildings, site layouts, landscaping, parking, signage, access and other physical design features.

§ 30-45.2. Review Required.

[Ord. #2101, § 20]

The following projects shall be subject to design review:

  • a. New multiple-family, commercial, industrial and institutional construction, including:

    1. New buildings,

    2. Additions and renovations,

    3. Facade improvements, and

    4. New paint and stucco.

  • b. Exterior yard improvements, including:

    1. Parking lots,

    2. Fences,

    3. Landscaping,

    4. Outside seating areas,

    5. Trash enclosures, and

    6. Storage areas.

  • c. Auxiliary structures, utility structures and mechanical appurtenances.

  • d. Accessory and temporary uses.

  • e. Public art, including murals.

  • f. Residential subdivisions.

  • g. Projects referred for design review by the Planning Commission.

  • h. Projects referred for design review by any portion of the Compton Municipal Code.

§ 30-45.3. Architectural Review Board.

[Ord. #2101, § 20]

An Architectural Review Board shall be established to review those projects designated by this Chapter as subject to design review.

  • a. The Architectural Review Board shall be administered by the Planning Department and shall be composed of the following members:

    1. Planning Department.

    2. Building and Safety Department.

    3. Public Works Department.

    4. Community Redevelopment Agency.

    5. Fire Department.

    6. Water Department.

    7. Architectural Consultant.

§ 30-45.4. Project Review.

[Ord. #2101, § 20]

  • a. Staff Review. The following minor projects will be reviewed by assigned City staff for administrative approval:

    1. Exterior paint and stucco that conforms to the City's Uniform Paint Ordinance.

    2. Changes in text to existing, conforming signage.

    3. Auxiliary structures such as trash and utility enclosures and mechanical appurtenances that are predominately screened from public view.

    4. Minor modifications to perimeter fencing standards.

  • b. Design Team Review. Small and medium sized projects shall be reviewed by a Design Review Team composed of a minimum of two members of the Architectural Review Board, including a representative of the Planning Department or the Building and Safety Department.

  • c. Committee Review. Large projects shall be reviewed by a Design Review Team composed of a minimum of four members of the Architectural Review Board, including a representative of the Planning Department.

§ 30-45.5. Scope of Review.

[Ord. #2101, § 20]

The Architectural Review Board shall review all projects to verify compliance with the development standards in this Chapter as follows:

  • a. Minor Modifications. The Architectural Review Board may approve minor modifications to the property development standards in this Chapter in order to provide design review flexibility and implement the goals of the City's design policy. Such modifications shall represent no more than a 10% reduction to the applicable standard and shall only be approved as a part of the design review process for new or remodeled projects where conformance to the Code would pose a substantial hardship and create a significant negative impact on overall project design.

  • b. Temporary and Accessory Uses. The Architectural Review Board may approve the following temporary uses:

    1. Nonaccessory tent sales conducted on a vacant, paved site for not more than 12 days per calendar year.

    2. Special event signs, including supergraphics, inflatables and advertising statuary, for not more than 12 days per calendar year.

§ 30-45.6. Procedures.

[Ord. #2101, § 20]

Projects that are subject to design review shall be submitted in accordance with the following application and processing procedures:

  • a. Application. The application shall be submitted on an approved form and shall show the street address, the proposed use, pictures, a fully dimension site plan and such other information as the Architectural Review Board deems necessary.

  • b. Finality of Action. Architectural Review Board decisions are final unless appealed as follows:

    1. Staff and administrative design decisions may be appealed to the full Architectural Review Board within five calendar days of the applicable decision.

    2. Decisions by the full Architectural Review Board may be appealed to the Planning Commission within five calendar days of Board action.

    3. Decisions by the Planning Commission may be appealed to the City Council within five calendar days of Commission action.

    4. Decisions by the City Council shall be final.

  • c. Filing Fees. At the time of submission or appeal, the applicant shall pay a filing fee, the amount of which shall be set by an ordinance of the City Council and shall be adjusted periodically to reflect changes in processing costs borne by the City.

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▸ Contents — Compton Zoning Code
Compton Zoning Code
  1. ▸ Chapter 30 — Zoning
    Overview
    1. § 30-1. PURPOSE.
    2. § 30-2. TITLE.
    3. § 30-3. DEFINITIONS.
    4. § 30-4. ESTABLISHMENT OF ZONES.
    5. § 30-5. OFFICIAL ZONING MAP.
    6. § 30-6. ZONE BOUNDARIES.
    7. § 30-7. RESIDENTIAL AGRICULTURE ZONE (R-A).
    8. § 30-8. LOW-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL ZONE (R-L).
    9. § 30-9. MEDIUM-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL ZONE (R-M).
    10. § 30-10. HIGH-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL ZONE (R-H).
    11. § 30-11. SPECIAL REGULATIONS: RESIDENTIAL ZONES.
    12. § 30-12. LIMITED COMMERCIAL ZONE (C-L).
    13. § 30-13. COMMERCIAL MANUFACTURING ZONE (C-M).
    14. § 30-14. LIMITED MANUFACTURING ZONE (M-L).
    15. § 30-15. HEAVY MANUFACTURING ZONE (M-H).
    16. § 30-16. BUFFER ZONE (B).
    17. § 30-17. AUTOMOBILE PARKING ZONE (P).
    18. § 30-18. PLANNED DEVELOPMENT ZONE (D).
    19. § 30-19. SD SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENT ZONE.
    20. § 30-20. GENERAL REGULATIONS AND EXCEPTIONS.
    21. § 30-21. OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING.
    22. § 30-22. SIGN REGULATIONS.
    23. § 30-23. NONCONFORMING BUILDINGS AND USES.
    24. § 30-24. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.
    25. § 30-25. SURFACE MINING AND RECLAMATION.
    26. § 30-26. CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS.
    27. § 30-27. VARIANCES.
    28. § 30-28. CHANGES OF ZONE AND GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENTS.
    29. § 30-29. ZONING OF ANNEXED LAND.
    30. § 30-30. UNLISTED USES.
    31. § 30-31. CONFORMITY REQUIRED.
    32. § 30-32. USES BY THE CITY EXCEPTED.
    33. § 30-33. CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY.
    34. § 30-34. INTERPRETATION OF PROVISIONS.
    35. § 30-35. INVALIDITY OF PERMITS AND LICENSES ISSUED IN ERROR.
    36. § 30-36. ENFORCEMENT.
    37. § 30-37. VIOLATIONS: NOTICES.
    38. § 30-38. ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURE.
    39. § 30-39. ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURE; APPEALS.
    40. § 30-40. PENALTIES.
    41. § 30-41. REPEAL OF FORMER PROVISIONS.
    42. § 30-42. PLANNING FEES.
    43. § 30-43. LANDSCAPING.
    44. § 30-44. FENCING.
    45. § 30-45. DESIGN REVIEW.
    46. § 30-46. PERSONAL WIRELESS SERVICE FACILITIES ORDINANCE.
    47. § 30-47. AFFORDABLE HOUSING DENSITY BONUS.
    48. § 30-48. UNATTENDED DONATION BOXES.
    49. § 30-49. EMERGENCY SHELTER OVERLAY ZONE.
    50. § 30-50. (RESERVED)
    51. § 30-51. ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE SALES ESTABLISHMENT REGULATIONS.
    52. § 30-52. A MORATORIUM ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ALL COMMERCIAL M…
    53. § 30-54. SPECIFIC PLAN ZONE REGULATIONS.

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