Local zoning · Burbank

Burbank — Design Review

Q: What design standards apply in the CR, RC and RBP zones?

In those commercial/rancho zones the Code requires pitched roofs , prohibits mansard roofs, prescribes Mission/Rancho/Spanish Colonial architectural elements, and limits colors and materials; see § 10-1-2435 , § 10-1-2443 , § 10-1-2452 for the respective design standards .

Q: Are there special rules in the Media District or Rancho Master Plan area?

Yes — the Media District has its own design standards and goals ( § 10-1-2125 ) that supplement base-zone rules, and the Rancho Master Plan area uses the Rancho Review Board to review projects subject to Development Review ( § 10-1-2453 ) .

Q: Where do I find the official list of permitted uses for my zone?

Many zone articles point to the general use table § 10-1-502 ; consult that section in the zoning code to see the full permitted-use list for commercial, residential and other zones (zones may also list use exceptions in their own articles) .

Design Review under the Burbank local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.

Ask a question free See coverage

Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

Burbank’s Design Review rules are implemented through the City’s zoning ordinance (often titled Title 10, Burbank Zoning Code) and operate as a Development Review process for most non-exempt new construction and exterior changes. The Director (Community Development Director or designee) typically reviews site plans, elevations, materials, landscaping and parking before permits are issued; many base zones state an explicit Development Review requirement and provide zone-specific design standards (for example, pitched roofs required or architectural style controls) that applicants must meet. See the city’s local zoning provisions on design review in the zoning code (the city uses Development Review language throughout) and the community-meeting requirement for projects subject to Development Review. § citations below identify the controlling local code text. Design review guidance in this page links to Burbank’s zoning menu for more context (/us/california/burbank/zoning).

How Burbank frames “Design Review” in the Code

The ordinance usually calls it Development Review: many zones state “no structure shall be erected… until an application for Development Review has been submitted to and approved by the Director” (examples cited below) — this is the functional design-review trigger. See § 10-1-2418, § 10-1-2434, § 10-1-2442, § 10-1-2451 for zone-level statements requiring Development Review .
The Code also contains overlay- and district-level design standards (e.g., Media District design standards, Rancho Master Plan standards) and specialized boards for review (e.g., Rancho Review Board). See § 10-1-2125 and § 10-1-2453 .
The Director must host a community meeting before deciding on some Development Review applications; see § 10-1-1909.1 for the Community Meeting requirement and purpose .

Below is a district-by-district breakdown of how the Code treats design/site/architectural review. Where the Code points to another section for uses or standards, I cite that reference rather than restating the full allowed-use tables.

NB (Neighborhood Business) — § 10-1-2418 / 10-1-2419

Purpose: Provide small-scale commercial uses compatible with neighborhoods. See § 10-1-2418 (Development Review required) .
Typical permitted uses: The Code refers uses to the general use table; uses are those “as set forth in § 10-1-502” (see zone text) .
Key design/dimensional rules (decision-relevant): full pitched roof required, mansard roofs prohibited, building orientation toward Main Street, no building group > 100 ft in length; the design standards also reference the general design standards of § 10-1-1113.1 .
Where it applies: Neighborhood commercial strips listed under NB map designations (see Zoning maps). Verify parcel-specific constraints with the Director.

RC (Regional Commercial) — § 10-1-2434 / § 10-1-2435

Purpose: Accommodate larger commercial development; Development Review required (no permits for structures until Director approval) — § 10-1-2434 .
Typical permitted uses: Uses per § 10-1-502; check the use table for retail/office types .
Key design standards: pitched roofs with overhangs required, mansard roofs prohibited, Spanish/Mission/Rancho character encouraged, color and material palettes prescribed, and § 10-1-1113.1 standards apply .
Where it applies: Regional commercial corridors shown on zoning maps.

CR (Commercial Recreation) — § 10-1-2442 / § 10-1-2443

Purpose: Privately owned recreational commercial uses. Development Review required before permits § 10-1-2442 .
Typical permitted uses: Recreation, entertainment, related commercial uses (check § 10-1-502) .
Key design standards: pitched roofs required, mansard roofs prohibited, prescribed architectural styles (Mission/Rancho/Spanish Colonial), color palette and allowed materials; references § 10-1-1113.1 for additional standards .

RBP (Rancho Business Park) — § 10-1-2451 / § 10-1-2452 / § 10-1-2453

Purpose: Offices, media-related uses and restricted light manufacturing. Development Review required (Director) § 10-1-2451 .
Typical uses: Office, media, light industrial uses as permitted by the use table (see § 10-1-502) .
Key design standards: pitched roofs required, listed architectural style guidance, color/material palette; projects within the Rancho Master Plan Area are also reviewed by the Rancho Review Board for compliance with the Rancho standards (§ 10-1-2453) .
Where it applies: Rancho Master Plan area parcels and RBP zoning districts.

C-1 / C-2 / C-3 / C-4 (Commercial zones) — e.g., § 10-1-707, § 10-1-713, § 10-1-719, § 10-1-725

Purpose: Range from specialty/local commercial (C-1) to general highway-oriented commercial (C-3) and unlimited/wholesale (C-4). Many require Development Review — for example, § 10-1-713 and § 10-1-719 require Development Review before structures are erected or related permits issued .
Key design notes: C-1 contains special design criteria for Golden Mall compatibility (§ 10-1-707) and most commercial zones reference the general design standards and parking/landscaping requirements in other articles; see the Development Review trigger language above .

Media District / MDC — § 10-1-2113, § 10-1-2116.5, § 10-1-2125

Purpose: Promote cohesive design, mixed uses and specific Media District objectives. Site plan and Development Review required (see § 10-1-2113 and § 10-1-2116.5) .
Design standards: Article includes a Design Standards Division; § 10-1-2125 outlines purpose and goals and provides the Media District’s design framework (massing, public realm, façades) . For projects in the Media District, follow the Media District design standards in addition to base zone rules.

Open Space / Airport / North San Fernando Commercial — § 10-1-924, § 10-1-905, § 10-1-2702

These specialized zones also require Development Review before structures/permits, per § 10-1-924 (Open Space), § 10-1-905 (Airport), and § 10-1-2702 (North San Fernando Commercial) . North San Fernando contains mandatory vs. discretionary language (uses of “shall/required” versus “should/encouraged”) and requires strict compliance with mandatory standards or denial by the Director § 10-1-2702(C) .

Quick reference table — core, decision-relevant rules

Decision item	Rule or requirement (plain English)	Code Reference
Development Review required (many base zones)	Director approval required before building permits for most new structures or related permits	§ 10-1-2418, § 10-1-2434, § 10-1-2442, § 10-1-2451
Pitched roofs required / Mansards prohibited	Applicable in multiple commercial/rancho zones (CR, RC, NB, RBP)	§ 10-1-2443, § 10-1-2435, § 10-1-2419, § 10-1-2452
Architectural style / palette controls	Mission/Rancho/Spanish Colonial themes, restricted colors and materials in many commercial zones	§ 10-1-2435, § 10-1-2443, § 10-1-2452
Building orientation / massing (NB example)	Must orient toward Main Street; no single building group > 100 ft	§ 10-1-2419
Media District design standards	Special design guidelines and goals required in addition to base-zone rules	§ 10-1-2125
Rancho Master Plan reviews	Rancho Review Board reviews projects in Rancho area	§ 10-1-2453
Uses for many commercial zones	Uses are linked to general use table § 10-1-502 — consult that table	§ 10-1-502

(For full lists of permitted uses and numerical development standards consult the applicable zone article and § 10-1-502 use table; where the zone text references other specific development standard sections, those govern.)

Checklist (what an applicant must prepare before Development Review)

Completed Development Review application and fees (verify fee schedule with Planning) — Development Review is the procedural trigger in each zone: Director review required in each listed zone (see the zone-specific Development Review citations above) .
Site plan showing location, setbacks, parking layout (consult Burbank’s parking rules) — parking requirements and organization are cross-referenced in the commercial sections; see the parking rules and zone standards . Link to Burbank Parking /us/california/burbank/parking.
Building elevations and materials palette (show roof type, colors, exterior materials) — required where zones mandate pitched roofs and palette choices (CR/RC/NB/RBP) § 10-1-2443, § 10-1-2435, § 10-1-2419, § 10-1-2452 .
Landscape and screening plan (many zones reference landscape standards) — consult Burbank landscaping rules (/us/california/burbank/landscaping-and-screening) and zone sections .
Parking calculations and layouts that meet applicable zone rules (see parking article) — link to /us/california/burbank/parking.
Evidence of consistency with any applicable overlay or district design standards (e.g., Media District, Rancho Master Plan) — see § 10-1-2125 (Media District) and § 10-1-2453 (Rancho review) ; link to /us/california/burbank/overlay-districts.
If the property is historic or in a historic district, a Permit to Alter may be required (see Historic Preservation rules) — see Heritage Commission/Permit to Alter provisions and § 10-1-933 cross-references in the historic preservation article ; link to /us/california/burbank/historic-preservation.
Attend/participate in the required community meeting for Development Review projects as set out in § 10-1-1909.1 .
For residential projects, check ADU/State law interactions (link to Burbank ADU page and California ADU law) — link to /us/california/burbank/adu and /us/california/california-adu-laws.
Verify whether the proposal qualifies for streamlined ministerial processes (code references to streamlined ministerial approval exist in Article 19) — see Article 19 references (streamlined process starting at Section 19300 references in the code) .
Note: timing, submittal completeness periods and additional documentary requirements are implemented through Director procedures; check with the Community Development Director’s office for application completeness timelines. If you need the state building-code compliance, consult the California Building Standards Code — design review does not substitute for Title 24 compliance.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Overlay vs. base-zone conflict	Media District, Rancho Master Plan and other overlays add mandatory design elements that may be stricter than base zone rules; failing to meet overlay standards can lead to denial	Verify overlay applicability to the parcel; check § 10-1-2125 (Media District) and Rancho provisions § 10-1-2453
“Guideline” language vs. “shall/required” language	Some sections use “should/encouraged” (guidance) and some use “shall/required” (mandatory); design decisions turn on that wording	Inspect the specific subsections for mandatory words (e.g., North San Fernando’s mandatory vs discretionary language in § 10-1-2702(C))
Historic resources	Historic-designation review (Permit to Alter) follows a different review path and public hearing process	Check whether the building is contributing/designated; refer to Permit to Alter rules and Heritage Commission procedures (historic preservation article, e.g., cross-references to § 10-1-933/928)
Director discretion and conditions	The Director may approve with conditions or require changes; appeals can go to Planning Commission or City Council depending on the provision	Confirm what appeals route applies to the specific Development Review decision; review Director procedural rules in Article 19 and § 10-1-1909.1 for community meeting requirements
Parcel-specific dimensional data	Many zone write-ups point to other sections (use table § 10-1-502, general development standards like § 10-1-1113.1) rather than listing numeric setbacks/FARs in the same section	Verify setbacks, FAR, height, lot coverage by looking up the linked development-standard sections and the use table § 10-1-502

Plain-English summary

If you plan to build or change an exterior in Burbank, expect to submit a Development Review application so the Community Development Director can check the site plan, building elevations, materials and parking against the zoning code’s design standards for your specific zone; different zones (for example CR, RC, NB, RBP, Media District) carry their own mandatory design rules such as pitched roofs, style and color palettes, and overlay-area requirements. Always verify overlay applicability, historic-resource status, and the Director’s submittal checklist for your parcel — and attend the required community meeting before the Director decides (§ 10-1-1909.1) .

Source References

Burbank Zoning Code — NB Development Review and NB design standards § 10-1-2418, § 10-1-2419
Burbank Zoning Code — RC Development Review and design standards § 10-1-2434, § 10-1-2435
Burbank Zoning Code — CR Development Review and design standards § 10-1-2442, § 10-1-2443
Burbank Zoning Code — RBP Development Review, design standards and Rancho Review Board § 10-1-2451, § 10-1-2452, § 10-1-2453
Burbank Zoning Code — C-1 design criteria § 10-1-707; C-2 development review § 10-1-713; C‑3 development review § 10-1-719; C-4 development review § 10-1-725
Burbank Zoning Code — Media District Development Review and Design Standards § 10-1-2113, § 10-1-2116.5, § 10-1-2125
Burbank Zoning Code — Community meeting requirement for Development Review § 10-1-1909.1
Burbank Zoning Code — Open Space Development Review § 10-1-924 and Airport zone § 10-1-905
Burbank Zoning Code — Cross-referenced use table § 10-1-502 (uses listed in zone articles point to this table)
Burbank Zoning Code — Heritage Commission / Permit to Alter references (historic preservation article; cross-references to § 10-1-933, § 10-1-928)

Information Gaps

Precise numeric setbacks, lot coverage, FAR or height for every base zone are not reproduced here because many zone articles reference other development-standards tables (for example, § 10-1-1113.1 and other development standards). For parcel-specific numeric standards, consult the development standards article or § 10-1-502 use table — the retrieved materials reference those but do not list every numeric standard in the same snippets provided. See § 10-1-1113.1 cross-references where cited in zone design rules .
The complete procedural timeline, the Director’s exact completeness checklist, and the specific appeal routes (which cases go to Planning Commission vs. City Council) are implemented in Article 19 and Director procedures; specific section numbers for some procedural sub-parts were not unambiguously captured in the retrieved snippets. Verify with the Community Development Director.
CEQA thresholds and the full streamlined ministerial process start at Section 19300 references but the retrieved snippets did not include the entire Article 19 procedures; confirm environmental review triggers and the ministerial-streamlined eligibility in the Code and with staff .

Sources

Retrieved passages

Burbank Zoning Code (Section 10-1-1113.1) High relevance
Burbank Zoning Code (Article 19) Medium relevance
Burbank Zoning Code (Article 9) Medium relevance
Burbank Zoning Code (Section 31-337) Medium relevance
Burbank Zoning Code (Section 10-1-502.) Medium relevance
Burbank Zoning Code (Section 31-81.2) Medium relevance
Burbank Zoning Code (Section 10-1-933) Medium relevance
Burbank Zoning Code (Section 10-1-502.) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Burbank Zoning Code — NB Development Review and NB design standards **§ 10-1-2418**, **§ 10-1-2419** (§ 10-1-2418)
Burbank Zoning Code — RC Development Review and design standards **§ 10-1-2434**, **§ 10-1-2435** (§ 10-1-2434)
Burbank Zoning Code — CR Development Review and design standards **§ 10-1-2442**, **§ 10-1-2443** (§ 10-1-2442)
Burbank Zoning Code — RBP Development Review, design standards and Rancho Review Board **§ 10-1-2451**, **§ 10-1-2452**, **§ 10-1-2453** (§ 10-1-2451)
Burbank Zoning Code — C-1 design criteria **§ 10-1-707**; C-2 development review **§ 10-1-713**; C‑3 development review **§ 10-1-719**; C-4 development review **§ 10-1-725** (§ 10-1-707)
Burbank Zoning Code — Media District Development Review and Design Standards **§ 10-1-2113**, **§ 10-1-2116.5**, **§ 10-1-2125** (§ 10-1-2113)
Burbank Zoning Code — Community meeting requirement for Development Review **§ 10-1-1909.1** (§ 10-1-1909.1)
Burbank Zoning Code — Open Space Development Review **§ 10-1-924** and Airport zone **§ 10-1-905** (§ 10-1-924)
Burbank Zoning Code — Cross-referenced use table **§ 10-1-502** (uses listed in zone articles point to this table) (§ 10-1-502)
Burbank Zoning Code — Heritage Commission / Permit to Alter references (historic preservation article; cross-references to **§ 10-1-933**, **§ 10-1-928**) (§ 10-1-933)
Burbank_ZoningCode.md

Frequently asked questions

Do I need design review (Development Review) for every new building in Burbank?

Most non-exempt new buildings or projects that change exterior conditions are subject to Development Review and require Director approval before building permits are issued; the code explicitly requires Development Review in many zones (for example § 10-1-2418, § 10-1-2434, § 10-1-2442, § 10-1-2451) .

What design standards apply in the CR, RC and RBP zones?

In those commercial/rancho zones the Code requires pitched roofs, prohibits mansard roofs, prescribes Mission/Rancho/Spanish Colonial architectural elements, and limits colors and materials; see § 10-1-2435, § 10-1-2443, § 10-1-2452 for the respective design standards .

What must I submit for Development Review in Burbank?

Prepare a complete Development Review application with site plan, building elevations and materials, landscape plan, parking layout, and any overlay-specific documentation; attend the required community meeting under § 10-1-1909.1. Check the zone’s design standards cited in your zone article (e.g., NB, RC, CR, RBP) for zone-specific submittal requirements .

Are there special rules in the Media District or Rancho Master Plan area?

Yes — the Media District has its own design standards and goals (§ 10-1-2125) that supplement base-zone rules, and the Rancho Master Plan area uses the Rancho Review Board to review projects subject to Development Review (§ 10-1-2453) .

If my property is historic, does design review work differently?

Yes. Work on historic resources often requires a Permit to Alter (Contributing or Non‑Contributing) and Heritage Commission review; the historic article includes Permit to Alter rules and appeals to the Heritage Commission and City Council as applicable (see the historic-preservation provisions and cross-referenced sections such as § 10-1-933 and companion sections) .

Does satisfying design review replace building-code (Title 24) approvals?

No. Design/Development Review is a separate land‑use process. Compliance with the California Building Standards Code (Title 24) remains required for building permits; consult Title 24 rules for structural and life‑safety compliance (see California Building Standards Code).

What is the role of the Director versus review boards?

Most Development Review decisions are made by the Director (or designee) under the zone provisions; some overlays or specific plan areas create advisory or decision-making bodies (for example the Rancho Review Board for Rancho Master Plan Area). Appeals and whether a Planning Commission hearing is required depend on the specific code provision; check the Development Review/Due Process sections and the zone article language .

Where do I find the official list of permitted uses for my zone?

Many zone articles point to the general use table § 10-1-502; consult that section in the zoning code to see the full permitted-use list for commercial, residential and other zones (zones may also list use exceptions in their own articles) .

Are “design guidelines” mandatory?

It depends on the wording in the applicable provision. Some design items are mandatory (“shall”, “required”) and will be enforced as conditions of approval; others are discretionary or advisory (“should” or “encouraged”). North San Fernando’s article explicitly explains the difference and that mandatory standards must be met (§ 10-1-2702) .

How does parking factor into Development Review?

Commercial and mixed-use design sections reference parking organization and limits on visible surface parking; for example the code limits surface parking frontage and requires landscaping/parking court organization in some contexts — consult the specific zone article and the Parking rules for numeric standards (/us/california/burbank/parking) .

Ask about any Burbank property

Get a cited, plain-English answer on Burbank zoning, setbacks, FAR, ADUs and permits — for any address.

Start Free Trial