Alhambra — Design Review

Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

Design review in Alhambra is a formal discretionary process that evaluates site layout, building form, materials, landscaping, signage, and related aesthetic/site relationships to ensure new development implements the General Plan and adopted design policies. The city’s design review rules are codified in the Alhambra Zoning Code (Chapter 23.33) and assign the Design Review Board as the primary decision body, with procedural cross‑references to the common procedures chapter. See § 23.33.010–§ 23.33.090 for purpose, applicability, process, scope, criteria, and post‑approval rules.

Note: this page covers only design review as written in the local zoning code (Title 23 of the Alhambra Municipal Code). For building and construction standards consult the California Building Standards Code.

What the code requires (top lines)

• Design review is required in specified instances for both residential and non‑residential projects; the full list of when review is required is in § 23.33.020.
• The Design Review Board is the review authority for Chapter 23.33 actions and decisions are subject to the appeal routes in the code. See § 23.33.030 and the appeals summary table in § 23.30.070.
• Applications must be filed with the Planning Division on prescribed forms and, where tied to another discretionary entitlement, the design review application is submitted with the underlying application and decided first. See § 23.33.040.
• The Board must act within 30 days after completeness acceptance (unless waived by applicant); the Board may approve, deny, or conditionally approve plans. See § 23.33.040(C).
• Design review is expressly scoped to evaluate building proportions, massing, site design, on‑site parking and paved areas, exterior materials and color, fences and walls, landscaping and hardscape, and signs. See § 23.33.060.

(Throughout, “design review” is used per the municipal code’s chapter on design review; the code is part of Alhambra’s Zoning Code, Title 23.)

District-by-district breakdown

Below are the common zoning districts described in the Alhambra Zoning Code where design review will typically apply. For each district I summarize purpose, typical permitted uses (high level), most decision‑relevant dimensional standards, and where the district applies. Where a design review trigger depends on a specific action (for example, a new building or exterior alteration visible from a public street), see § 23.33.020.

Note: the first mention of related planning topics is hyperlinked to the corresponding Alhambra menu page: when a design review project interacts with development standards, parking, overlays, historic review, signage, ADU rules, or the state building code you will see those links below.

RL (Residential Low Density)

• Purpose: The RL zone provides for low‑density neighborhoods (up to 5 units/acre) and aims to preserve single‑family character. § 23.04.010 describes the RL purpose.
• Typical permitted uses: Detached single‑family homes and compatible accessory uses (see Table 23.04.020 for use table). § 23.04.020.
• Key dimensional standards (Table 23.04.030): FAR 0.40, max height 25 ft, max stories 2, max density 5 du/acre. Design review is required for new primary structures and most multi‑story additions under § 23.33.020(A)(1).
• Where it applies: City residential neighborhoods mapped RL (see Zoning Map). Verify lot‑specific standards and any PD overlays that may modify standards. See also Alhambra Development Standards.

RM (Residential Medium Density)

• Purpose: The RM zone allows a mix of housing types at moderate density (up to 18 units/acre). § 23.04.010(B)(2).
• Typical permitted uses: Duplexes, triplexes, small multi‑unit buildings; uses listed in Table 23.04.020.
• Key dimensional standards: max density 18 du/acre, max height 35 ft, max stories 3 (Table 23.04.030). Design review applies to all new primary structures and most vertical additions. § 23.33.020(A).

RH (Residential High Density)

• Purpose: The RH zone supports higher density housing (varies by location: 24, 43, or 64 units/acre in specific areas) and multifamily housing types. § 23.04.010(B)(3).
• Typical permitted uses: Apartments, condos, townhomes, and compatible public/quasi‑public uses.
• Key dimensional standards (Table 23.04.030): densities depend on subarea; height ranges by location (commonly 45 ft, up to 75 ft in defined areas adjacent to key arterials or freeways), stories variable. For projects in RH the city may require a residential planned development permit (see Chapter 23.41) and design review will generally be required for new buildings and many additions.

CBD (Central Business District), CMU (Commercial Mixed Use), EMC (Existing Mixed Commercial), AC (Arterial Commercial)

• Purpose: These commercial and mixed‑use zones are intended for high‑intensity commercial, office and mixed housing/commercial development and emphasize active street frontage and pedestrian orientation. See Table 23.05.030 and related district statements.
• Typical permitted uses: Retail, restaurants, offices, and mixed‑use residential above ground floor (see Table 23.05.020).
• Key dimensional standards (Table 23.05.030): FAR commonly 2.0–3.0, max heights 35–75 ft depending on district and proximity to residential, setbacks often 0 ft with build‑to requirements for street frontage (buildings required within 10 ft of the sidewalk for a minimum portion of frontage). Design review applies to new buildings, enlargements, signage, exterior alterations visible from public streets, and exterior color changes (see § 23.33.020(B)).

PF (Public Facilities) and OS (Open Space)

• Purpose: PF supports institutional and public uses (schools, government facilities); OS preserves parks and open space. Both have their own development standards (Table 23.07.030). Design review can apply to new structures and significant alterations in these zones. § 23.07.010 and Table 23.07.030.

Planned Development Overlays (-PD)

• Purpose: A -PD overlay modifies base zoning by an approved PD Plan; where PD is silent the base district standards apply. PDs are subject to Council adoption and separate procedural rules. See § 23.11.020–§ 23.11.050. Design review requirements can be set or modified within a PD plan but default to Chapter 23.33 where PD is silent.

If a site sits inside a historic district, design review interacts with the Historic Preservation chapter (Chapter 23.23); some historic projects require separate Certificates of Appropriateness or Demolition and different review authorities. See § 23.23 and the overlap note in § 23.33.

Quick reference table — most decision‑relevant triggers and standards

How design review decisions are evaluated

The Design Review Board applies the explicit design review criteria in § 23.33.070 and the things listed in scope § 23.33.060 (building massing, site layout, parking design, materials/colors, fences/walls, landscaping, signs). Approvals must be consistent with the General Plan and any applicable specific plan or adopted design guidelines. The Board issues written decisions with a 10‑day appeal period; decisions may be revoked for violation of conditions. See § 23.33.060–§ 23.33.090.

Practical guidance: expect the Board to scrutinize street‑facing elevations, pedestrian frontage, visible mechanical equipment, proposed fencing/walls in front yards (which are specifically called out elsewhere), and how new parking or driveway areas affect the streetscape and landscaping. The code explicitly lists parking and paved areas as part of the review scope, so coordinate with the Alhambra Parking rules early.

Checklist

• Confirm whether your project triggers design review per § 23.33.020 (new building, enlargement, exterior alteration visible from the street, signage, fences, etc.)
• Prepare application on Planning Division forms and pay applicable fees (§ 23.33.040(A)).
• Submit full plans that show site plan, elevations, materials/finishes, landscape plan and plant palette, lighting, fences/walls detail, and sign proposals (scope items listed in § 23.33.060).
• If tied to another discretionary permit (use permit, variance, PD, etc.), include design review with that submittal — the Board will determine design review before the underlying permit decision (§ 23.33.040(B)).
• Expect a 30‑day Board action window after completeness; applicant may waive (see § 23.33.040(C)).
• If project is in a historic district or affects a historic resource, plan for concurrent historic review under Chapter 23.23 (Historic Preservation) and related submittal requirements.
• Coordinate on parking, setbacks, and any required modifications to development standards (see Alhambra Development Standards and Tables 23.04.030 / 23.05.030).

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

If you are building a new house, adding a second story, changing the front facade, putting up a front yard wall, altering commercial storefronts, or changing signage in Alhambra, you will likely need a design review application. The Design Review Board evaluates how your proposal will look and fit on the site (materials, massing, landscaping, parking, signs) and issues a written decision that can be appealed; follow the submission checklist in § 23.33 and check for additional historic or planned‑development rules that may apply.

Source References

• Alhambra Zoning Code, CHAPTER 23.33: DESIGN REVIEW — § 23.33.010 Purpose; § 23.33.020 Applicability; § 23.33.030 Review authority; § 23.33.040 Application & processing; § 23.33.050 Procedure; § 23.33.060 Scope; § 23.33.070 Criteria; § 23.33.080–090 Decisions, appeals, expiration.
• Alhambra Zoning Code, CHAPTER 23.30 (Planning authorities and summary table of review authorities) — summary table shows Design Review Board role and appeal paths (§ 23.30.070 / Table) .
• Residential district purpose and development standards: CHAPTER 23.04 and Table 23.04.030 (development standards for RL, RM, RH). § 23.04.010–020, Table 23.04.030.
• Commercial / mixed‑use development standards: Table 23.05.030 (CBD, EMC, CMU, AC) — build‑to / frontage and FAR/height requirements referenced.
• Public & semi‑public standards: Table 23.07.030 (PF, OS).
• Historic Preservation interactions: CHAPTER 23.23 (certificate requirements and levels of review; overlap with Chapter 23.33 noted).
• Fences and front yard standards that explicitly reference design review: § 23.12.050 (fences/walls referenced as subject to design review).

Retrieved passages

• Alhambra Zoning Code (§ 23.33.070) High relevance show source text
• Alhambra Zoning Code (CHAPTER 23.33) High relevance show source text
• Alhambra Zoning Code (title or) High relevance show source text
• Alhambra Zoning Code (Chapter 23.16) High relevance show source text
• Alhambra Zoning Code (§ 23.31.020.) High relevance show source text
• Alhambra Zoning Code (§ 23.34.070) High relevance show source text
• Alhambra Zoning Code (CHAPTER 23.32) Medium relevance show source text
• Alhambra Zoning Code (§ 23.11.020) Medium relevance show source text
• Alhambra Zoning Code (Chapter 23.11.) Medium relevance show source text
• Alhambra Zoning Code (§ 23.41.030) Medium relevance show source text
• Alhambra Zoning Code (Section numbers) Medium relevance show source text
• Alhambra Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text
• Alhambra Zoning Code (§ 23.01.040) Medium relevance show source text
• Alhambra Zoning Code (Section numbers) Medium relevance show source text
• CBC § 23.31.030 (§ 23.31.030.) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Alhambra Zoning Code, CHAPTER **23.33: DESIGN REVIEW** — **§ 23.33.010** Purpose; **§ 23.33.020** Applicability; **§ 23.33.030** Review authority; **§ 23.33.040** Application & processing; **§ 23.33.050** Procedure; **§ 23.33.060** Scope; **§ 23.33.070** Criteria; **§ 23.33.080–090** Decisions, appeals, expiration. (§ 23.33.010)
• Alhambra Zoning Code, CHAPTER **23.30** (Planning authorities and summary table of review authorities) — summary table shows Design Review Board role and appeal paths (**§ 23.30.070 / Table**) . (§ 23.30.070)
• Residential district purpose and development standards: CHAPTER **23.04** and Table **23.04.030** (development standards for **RL**, **RM**, **RH**). **§ 23.04.010–020**, Table 23.04.030. (§ 23.04.010)
• Commercial / mixed‑use development standards: Table **23.05.030** (CBD, EMC, CMU, AC) — build‑to / frontage and FAR/height requirements referenced.
• Public & semi‑public standards: Table **23.07.030** (PF, OS).
• Historic Preservation interactions: CHAPTER **23.23** (certificate requirements and levels of review; overlap with Chapter 23.33 noted). (Chapter 23.33)
• Fences and front yard standards that explicitly reference design review: **§ 23.12.050** (fences/walls referenced as subject to design review). (§ 23.12.050)
• Alhambra_ZoningCode.md

• Official Alhambra code library