Chapter 17.188 — DESIGN REVIEW

This chapter establishes procedures for design review of proposed physical improvements in order to implement General Plan and zoning design criteria by guiding the location, functions and appearance of development to promote and protect the safety, convenience, comfort, prosperity and general welfare of the Town. The purposes of design review are:

• A. To preserve and enhance the natural beauty of the land and of the man-made environment, and the enjoyment thereof;

• B. To maintain and improve the qualities and relationships between individual buildings, structures and physical developments which contribute to the amenities and attractiveness of the Town or neighborhood; and

• C. To protect and enhance the uses and buildings throughout town. (Ord. 21-501 § 9)

• A. Design Review Required. No structure shall be built, expanded, or have its exterior altered, and no building permit shall be issued, unless the design is approved in advance as provided in this chapter.

• B. Improvements Subject to Major Design Review Approval. The following types of improvements are subject to major design review approval as provided in this chapter:

  1. New, expanded, or exterior alterations to commercial or agricultural structures; and

  2. New, expanded, or exterior alterations to residential structures which comprise five or more dwelling units.

• C. Improvements Subject to Minor Design Review Approval. The following types of improvements are subject to minor design review approval as provided in this chapter:

  1. New, expanded or exterior alterations to residential structures which comprise four or fewer dwelling units and residential or agricultural auxiliary structures;

  2. Freestanding, internally illuminated, and Highway 29 signs; and

  3. Murals, subject to prior advisory review by the Arts Commission.

• D. Improvements Exempt From Design Review. The following physical improvements are exempt from design review procedures and requirements:

  1. Agricultural auxiliary structures less than 2,000 square feet in lot coverage; and

  2. Accessory dwelling units determined by the Planning Officer to have met the criteria for ministerial approval as set forth in Section 17.156.020 of this title;

  3. Repainting an existing structure;

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/YO5040 on 2026-05-11

Town of Yountville, CA

ZONING

§ 17.188.020

§ 17.188.060

4. Alterations to existing landscaping;

5. Minor alterations or additions less than 200 square feet that do not result in a noticeable change to the front building elevation;

6. Minor alterations or additions less than 200 square feet to rear or side building elevations that do not increase the height of the roof or negatively affect the privacy of adjacent properties; and

7. Other improvements determined by the Planning Officer to be minor or incidental and within the intent and objectives of this Title 17.

• (Ord. 21-501 § 9)

• A. Applications for design review shall be initiated by submitting application materials as required by Section 17.180.020, Applications, of this title including the following information to the Planning & Building Department: a completed application form, signed by the property owner(s) or authorized agent, accompanied by the required fee or deposit, and any other information, plans or maps prescribed by the Planning Officer. Application procedures and processing shall be in accordance with State law and procedural guidelines established by the Planning Officer.

• B. The Planning Officer may require the installation of story poles to demonstrate the massing and height of proposed buildings when deemed beneficial to better conceptualize the massing and height to understand how the proposed building(s) relate within the context of surrounding structures. Story poles shall be erected in accordance with the Town's story pole requirements available at the Planning & Building Department and shall be certified for accuracy by a registered land surveyor or civil engineer.

• (Ord. 21-501 § 9)

• A. Minor Design Review. The Zoning and Design Review Board, or the Town Council upon appeal, shall approve, conditionally approve, or deny applications for minor design review.

• B. Major Design Review. The Zoning and Design Review Board shall recommend approval, conditional approval, or denial of applications for major design review. The Town Council shall have the authority to approve, conditionally approve or deny applications for major design review.

• (Ord. 21-501 § 9)

The reviewing authority shall hold a public hearing on any proposed design review application. Notice of public hearing shall be given consistent with Section 17.180.040, Notice of hearing, of this title.

(Ord. 21-501 § 9)

Following the public hearing, the responsible reviewing authority may approve the application

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/YO5040 on 2026-05-11

Town of Yountville, CA § 17.188.060

YOUNTVILLE CODE

§ 17.188.080

and authorize a design review permit if the facts presented establish all of the following:

• A. The proposed development or physical improvement is appropriate for the site with regard to the siting and scale of buildings, pedestrian and vehicular access and circulation, and relationship of structures and open spaces to the streetscape;

• B. The location of structures preserves significant trees, natural features and identified public view corridors;

• C. The project will be compatible with neighboring properties and developments with regard to setbacks, building heights, and massing;

• D. The project will not be detrimental to neighboring properties and developments with regard to the location of parking facilities, siting of trash enclosures, placement of mechanical equipment, and privacy considerations;

• E. The project presents an attractive design, utilizing high-quality building finishes and materials, and design techniques to mitigate potentially bulky building forms, such as modulating varied rooflines, partial upper stories, setbacks for upper story volume and/or a variety of roof forms;

• F. Proposed landscaping provides sufficient visual relief, complements the buildings and structures on the site, and provides an inviting environment for the enjoyment of occupants and the public;

• G. The existing or proposed infrastructure and utility capacity are adequate for the proposed development; and

• H. The proposed project will comply with all applicable provisions of this Title 17 and will be consistent with the policies and standards of the General Plan.

• (Ord. 21-501 § 9)

In approving a design review permit, the reviewing authority may impose conditions deemed reasonable and necessary to ensure that the approval will be in compliance with the findings required by Section 17.188.060, Findings and decision, of this chapter. (Ord. 21-501 § 9)

Approval of a design review application for any project which is not required to be reviewed through the Master Development Plan process shall expire two years from the effective date of approval if construction has not commenced, unless a different expiration date is stipulated at the time of approval. No extension to this time limit shall be granted. Time limits for design review approvals granted as part of the Master Development Plan process shall be governed by the Master Development Plan process and conditions.

(Ord. 21-501 § 9)

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/YO5040 on 2026-05-11

Town of Yountville, CA