Claremont — Design Review

Last reviewed: July 1, 2026

Overview

Claremont's local code makes design review part of the zoning process: virtually all new construction, exterior changes, and site-feature changes require architectural/design review and approval before a building permit is issued. Design review is implemented through staff-level review and the city's Architectural and Preservation Commission, with special rules for the Claremont Village, mixed‑use areas, institutional sites, hillside/rural areas, and listed historic resources. See the city's overall zoning menu for context at Claremont Zoning. (§ 16.300.010 ; § 16.300.020 )

Note: this page covers only what the Claremont zoning/land‑use text (Title 16) says about design/architectural/site plan review (not Title 24 building-code details). Verify project‑specific requirements with the City.

How Claremont's design review works (core rules)

• Applicability: “Any new construction, exterior modifications (not including painting), building relocations, and changes in site features including, but not limited to, parking areas, landscaping, walls, outside lighting and signs” are subject to architectural review unless expressly exempted. (§ 16.300.010 )

• Review authorities: The code establishes the Architectural and Preservation Commission to perform general design review, but the Director of Community Development/staff may perform reviews, apply conditions, or refer projects to the Commission. (§ 16.300.020, § 16.300.055 )

• Required findings / criteria: All proposals are judged on conformity with development standards, General Plan consistency, compatibility of scale and quality with surrounding development, privacy/light/air, circulation, tree preservation, sustainability, and cultural resource protections. The Commission must make the required findings or deny/condition the project. (§ 16.300.060 )

• Notices & appeals: Staff must mail notice when a Director review could adversely affect neighboring properties (at least 10 days prior to action). Commission decisions and staff actions are appealable under the Appeals chapter. (§ 16.300.055; § 16.300.080 )

• Design guidelines and overlay-specific rules: Several districts and overlays impose additional design guidelines you must meet (for example, the Claremont Village Design Plan, mixed‑use design guidelines, Rural Claremont standards, and the Cultural Resources/Local Register requirements). See the relevant district/overlay sub‑sections below and Claremont Development Standards for related dimensional rules. (§ 16.054.030, § 16.040.080, Chapter 16.302 )

First practical note: for parking implications during design review, see the city's parking standards at Claremont Parking; for setbacks and dimensional checks see Claremont Development Standards; for overlay maps consult Claremont Overlay Districts; for historic/resource triggers consult Claremont Historic Preservation; for ADU‑specific questions see Claremont ADUs; and when building‑code questions arise see the California Building Standards Code.

District-by-district design review (how the code treats specific zones)

Below are Claremont districts and overlays that the Title 16 text explicitly ties to distinctive design review expectations. Each subsection names the district, its purpose, typical permitted uses (as the code frames them for design review), the most decision‑relevant dimensional/design standards, and where the district applies per the Code.

CV — Claremont Village (Chapter 16.060; Village design plan)

• Purpose: Preserve and enhance the downtown Village character and pedestrian scale; emphasize storefront design and streetwall relationships. (§ 16.060.000 )
• Typical permitted uses: Retail, service businesses, offices, and residential uses allowed by Table 16.051.A (uses listed under the CV column). (§ 16.060.010 )
• Key dimensional/design standards: Development in the Village must conform to the Claremont Village Design Plan; the Architectural Commission reviews conformance; parking may be treated differently in CV (in‑lieu fees permitted where on‑site parking is impractical). (§ 16.054.030; § 16.051.040; § 16.051.040/parking rules)
• Where it applies: Properties inside the Village Design Plan boundaries; the Village plan is an overlay that adds design review requirements on top of base zoning. (§ 16.054.030 )

MU — Mixed‑Use (MU) Districts (Chapter 16.040)

• Purpose: Encourage pedestrian‑oriented mixed‑use development that complements district character and the General Plan. (§ 16.040.000 / intent language)
• Typical permitted uses: Uses consistent with mixed‑use intent (commercial + residential elements where appropriate); project-level decisions consider whether a commercial component is feasible and appropriate. (§ 16.040 subsections)
• Key design rules: Mixed‑use projects must be reviewed using Table 16.040.3 design guidelines; Commission or staff must find compliance with Chapter 16.300 findings prior to approval. (§ 16.040.080; § 16.300.060 )
• Where it applies: All MU district parcels identified on the zoning map; Chapter 16.040 instructs that staff or Commission may review projects for consistency with MU guidelines. (§ 16.040.080 )

B/IP — Business/Industrial Park (Chapter 16.054)

• Purpose: Industrial/park uses with controls to prevent off‑site impacts. (§ 16.054.000 preamble)
• Typical permitted uses: B/IP uses as listed in the use table for the district (manufacturing, warehousing, certain commercial/office uses), with conditional prohibitions for noxious uses. (§ 16.054 text)
• Key dimensional standards affecting design review:
  • Maximum building height generally two stories / 35 ft; up to 50 ft where not adjacent to residential, with additional setbacks required as height increases. (§ 16.054.020, B)
  • Setbacks: Front/street side min 25 ft (35 ft where fronting a major/secondary street or across from residential); interior side 10 ft (50 ft where abutting residential); rear 10 ft (50 ft where abutting residential). (§ 16.054.020, C)
• Where it applies: Parcels zoned B/IP per the Zoning Map; design review enforces compatibility with adjacent residential and landscape/parking standards. (§ 16.054.020 )

I — Institutional (I) District (Chapter 16.069)

• Purpose: Guide development for institutional uses (schools, hospitals, major public institutions) while protecting adjacent neighborhoods and historic features. (§ 16.069.000 intent language)
• Typical permitted uses: Institutional facilities and accessory functions as set by the I district rules (see Chapter 16.069). (§ 16.069 text)
• Key dimensional/design standards affecting review:
  • Minimum setback from boundary abutting residential: 25 ft + 1 ft per ft of building height above 30 ft (special conditional use permit triggers for taller buildings near residential). (§ 16.069.050, A)
  • When abutting a non‑residential street: default 25 ft setback unless reduced by the Architectural Commission. (§ 16.069.050, B)
  • Height transitions tied to setbacks (see § 16.069.060). (§ 16.069.060 )
• Where it applies: Institutional sites shown on the zoning map and described in Chapter 16.069; the Architectural Commission evaluates setback/height interface with residences. (§ 16.069.050 )

AV / AV1 — Arbol Verde (AV) Districts & special historic review (various sections)

• Purpose: Preserve the unique character of the Arbol Verde neighborhood(s) and regulate demolition/alteration of properties listed on the local register. (See Chapter 16.019 and Chapter 16.302.) (§ 16.019.080; Chapter 16.302)
• Typical permitted uses: Standard residential uses per the AV district but with added certificate/demolition controls where a resource is on the Local Register. (§ 16.019.080; Chapter 16.302)
• Key design review rules:
  • Exterior alterations, site improvements, and new construction are subject to Chapter 16.300 review and, for registered resources, to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards where applicable. (§ 16.019.080; Chapter 16.302)
  • The Cultural Resources chapter sets separate procedures for Certificates of Appropriateness, minor vs. major review, submittal requirements, and 150–300 ft notice rules for historic resources. (See Chapter 16.302, subparts quoted in code excerpts.)
• Where it applies: Properties in the AV districts and any sites listed on the Claremont Register of Sites of Historical and Architectural Merit. (Chapter 16.302)

RR — Rural Residential Districts

• Purpose & how treated under design review: Projects in RR districts are subject to the general Chapter 16.300 review and also to the Rural Claremont Architectural and Landscape Standards; special emphasis is placed on siting, minimal grading, slope protection, and preservation of natural features. (§ 16.300.060, D; hillside standards text)
• Typical design concerns: minimization of grading, preservation of view corridors and prominent vegetation, slope stabilization, and compatibility with hillside character. (General design criteria and hillside provisions)

Housing Opportunity Site Overlays (MFR 30 / MFR 60 / MU 30 / MU 60)

• Purpose: Implement the Sixth Cycle Housing Element objective design standards; overlays permit multiple‑family and mixed‑use residential at prescribed densities (e.g., MFR 30, MFR 60, MU 30, MU 60). (§ 16.014.020 )
• Design review implications: Projects on these overlays must meet the overlay standards plus the Architectural review findings and the Objective Design Standards called in the Housing Element. (§ 16.014.010–020 )

Quick decision‑relevant standards (table)

Checklist

• Determine whether your project is subject to design review under § 16.300.010 (new construction, exterior/site changes). (§ 16.300.010 )
• Confirm which review body will act (staff or Architectural and Preservation Commission) and the applicable noticing timeline. (§ 16.300.020; § 16.300.055 )
• Prepare submission packet: site plan, floor plans, elevations, material/color board, landscape/irrigation plan, tree protection/disposition plan, lighting plan, photos of surroundings (300' photographic context for major/historic projects). (See Chapter 16.300 and Chapter 16.302 submittal lists.)
• Verify project compliance with district-specific design rules (e.g., CV Village Design Plan, MU design guidelines, B/IP setback/height rules, I setback transitions, Rural Claremont standards). (§ 16.054.030; § 16.040.080; § 16.054.020; § 16.069.050; § 16.300.060 )
• If the property is on the Claremont Register or in a historic district, prepare the Certificate of Appropriateness documentation and follow the minor/major project review steps. (Chapter 16.302 submittal & notice rules.)
• Anticipate conditions or design revisions: staff/Commission may approve, conditionally approve, or deny; noncompliance with conditions is a code violation. (§ 16.300.060; § 16.300.050; § 16.300.060.C/G )
• If needed, prepare for appeal under Chapter 16.321. (§ 16.300.080 )

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

If you change how your property looks outside — new building, additions, new driveway/parking, landscaping, walls, lighting or signs — Claremont generally requires you to go through architectural/design review first; staff will screen smaller projects, the Architectural and Preservation Commission reviews larger or special cases, and there are extra rules for the Village, mixed‑use, institutional, rural, and historic properties. (§ 16.300.010; § 16.300.020; Chapter 16.302)

Source References

• § 16.300.010 (Applicability of architectural review)
• § 16.300.020 (Architectural and Preservation Commission responsibilities/composition)
• § 16.300.030–16.300.090 (Design review responsibilities, review of plans, staff procedure, review criteria, appeals, expiration) — see § 16.300.050, § 16.300.055, § 16.300.060, § 16.300.080, § 16.300.090
• § 16.054.020 (B/IP development standards: heights, setbacks) and § 16.054.030 (Village design plan applicability)
• § 16.060.000 and § 16.060.010 (CV Claremont Village District intent and permitted uses)
• § 16.040.080 (Design guidelines for MU — Table 16.040.3)
• § 16.069.050–16.069.060 (Institutional setbacks/height and Village Design Plan for institutional property)
• Chapter 16.302 (Cultural Resources Preservation — Certificates of Appropriateness, submittal requirements, local register criteria)
• Submittal details and minor/major project lists for historic resources (examples in Chapter 16.302; see the submittal list and notice rules)

Internal reference links (for related Claremont pages): Claremont Zoning; Claremont Development Standards; Claremont Parking; Claremont Overlay Districts; Claremont Historic Preservation; Claremont ADUs; California Building Standards Code.

Retrieved passages

• CFC § 300 High relevance show source text
• Claremont Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• Claremont Zoning Code (§ 16.040.080.) Medium relevance show source text
• Claremont Zoning Code (§ 16.300.060.) Medium relevance show source text
• Claremont Zoning Code (chapter and) Medium relevance show source text
• Claremont Zoning Code (§ 16.300.050.) Medium relevance show source text
• Claremont Zoning Code (title and) Medium relevance show source text
• Claremont Zoning Code (§ 16.054.030.) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• § **16.300.010** (Applicability of architectural review)
• § **16.300.020** (Architectural and Preservation Commission responsibilities/composition)
• § **16.300.030**–**16.300.090** (Design review responsibilities, review of plans, staff procedure, review criteria, appeals, expiration) — see § **16.300.050**, § **16.300.055**, § **16.300.060**, § **16.300.080**, § **16.300.090**
• § **16.054.020** (B/IP development standards: heights, setbacks) and § **16.054.030** (Village design plan applicability)
• § **16.060.000** and § **16.060.010** (CV Claremont Village District intent and permitted uses)
• § **16.040.080** (Design guidelines for MU — Table 16.040.3)
• § **16.069.050**–**16.069.060** (Institutional setbacks/height and Village Design Plan for institutional property)
• Chapter **16.302** (Cultural Resources Preservation — Certificates of Appropriateness, submittal requirements, local register criteria)
• Submittal details and minor/major project lists for historic resources (examples in Chapter **16.302**; see the submittal list and notice rules)
• Claremont_ZoningCode.md

• Official Claremont code library