5-2H-4: - SITE PLAN REVIEW REQUIREMENTS.

Hidden Hills Zoning Code · 2026-07 edition · ingested 2026-07-06 · Hidden Hills

Except as set forth in subsection E. below, no building or structure shall be constructed and no expansion, addition, alteration or repair to existing buildings or structures shall be made in any residential zone of the City without first receiving site plan review and approval as required by this Article.

  • A. Application: Except as set forth in subsection E below, a development plan shall be submitted for site plan review and approval according to the following procedures before a grading permit, electrical permit, plumbing permit or building permit is issued for the construction of any building or structure or the expansion, modification, alteration or repair of any existing building or structure. The site plan review process is intended to assist in the orderly development of property in conformance with the objectives of the General Plan, and to ensure neighborhood compatibility. The development plan shall be submitted to the Planning Director on forms furnished by him and accompanied by plans showing the effect of the proposed work upon visual relationships with other lots, existing structures, or land adjacent to or within 500 feet of the proposed work. The plan shall be accompanied by a fee, as established by resolution of the City Council.

  • B. Findings: No application for site plan review shall be approved unless the Planning Agency finds:

That the proposed development is designed and will be developed to preserve to the greatest extent practicable the natural features of the land, including the existing topography and landscaping;

  1. That the proposed development is designed and will be developed in a manner which will be reasonably compatible with the existing neighborhood character in terms of scale of development in relation to surrounding residences and other structures;

  2. That the proposed development is designed and will be developed in a manner which will preserve to the greatest extent practicable the privacy of persons residing on adjacent properties;

  3. That the proposed development is designed and will be developed in a manner to the extent reasonably practicable so that it does not unreasonably interfere with neighbors' existing views;

  4. That the proposed development is compatible with the General Plan, the Zoning Ordinance [6] and surrounding uses;

  5. That the proposed development follows natural contours of the site to minimize grading;

  6. That the proposed development preserves surrounding native vegetation and supplements it with landscaping that is compatible with and enhances the rural character of the community; and

  7. That the proposed development conforms with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act.

  • C. Initial Review: For initial review, applicants are encouraged to submit preliminary design proposals covering the entire lot development, both present and future, to permit the Building Official to analyze neighborhood compatibility and the applicability of the provisions of this Section prior to incurring the expense for detailed design drawings.

  • D. Planning Director Action: Following the submittal of a formal application, the Planning Director shall determine compliance with all City ordinances and other laws, and shall prepare a site plan checklist to determine the need for approval under this Article.

  • E. Exemption: The Planning Director shall issue a written statement that the development is exempt from subsections A. through D. and F. through G. of this Section if, based on information submitted for a project (such as lot area and building coverage data) and an inspection of the site, he finds either:

    1. a. The proposed increase in square footage to an existing structure is not more than 500 square feet; and

      • b. The project does not include the construction of a new second or higher story or an addition to an existing second or higher story; and

      • c.

The total square footage, including garage, of any new or remodeled structure will not exceed 1,000 feet; and 

  - d. There has not been a previous application under this Section concerning the same property within 24 months preceding the date of the current application which would have required site plan review if figures regarding floor area and/or proposal reflects the objectives of this Article; or
  1. The project has received a certification in writing from the Hidden Hills Community Association that the project meets all of the standards, terms and conditions necessary to be approved by the Hidden Hills Community Association and by any subcommittee thereof that is charged with the responsibility of reviewing the architectural standards of projects in the City, and the Planning Director has determined, based on a summary review, that the project is consistent with such standards, terms and conditions, and is consistent with the City's laws and the General Plan. Such summary review is not intended to include evaluation of policy decisions on discretionary aspects of such standards, terms or conditions, but rather to confirm consistency with objective criteria.

  • F. Notice: If the project is not exempt under subsection E., the Planning Director shall forward the matter to the Planning Agency for its recommendation. The Planning Director shall require the applicant to notify owners of property within 500 feet of the proposed development by mail at least ten days prior to the Planning Agency meeting at which the application will be considered.

  • G. Planning Agency Action: After receiving an application for site plan review, the Planning Agency shall hold a public hearing at which it shall hear and review all information and testimony regarding the findings and objectives of this Article. If the proposed development complies with all applicable requirements and standards of this Article and other laws and regulations, and the Agency finds that the criteria of subsection B of this Section are adequately met, or can be met if specified conditions are observed, the application shall be approved, subject to such specified conditions. If the Agency finds that the proposal cannot meet and cannot be modified to meet the requirements of this Article and the above criteria, the application shall be disapproved. In all cases, findings shall be made concerning the grounds for approval or disapproval.

(Ord. 262, 2-8-93; 1994 Code)

Footnotes: --- ( 6 ) --See Chapter 2 of this Title.

5-2H-5: - NOTICE OF DECISION.

Written notice of the decision shall be given by first class mail to the applicant within ten calendar days following rendering of the decision.

(Ord. 262, 2-8-93)