Del Rey Oaks — Design Review

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

Del Rey Oaks' design review regime is codified in Chapter 17.56 of the Zoning Code and makes the Planning Commission the city's design review board. The ordinance requires aesthetic and site-review scrutiny for most commercial projects and for residential projects that need a variance, a use permit, or a building permit for new construction or structural exterior changes. The code prescribes procedural requirements (site/topographic surveys, flagging), the board's substantive scope (setbacks, materials, roof forms, signs, lighting, parking, landscaping), and an appeal path to the City Council. See § 17.56.010 – § 17.56.040 for the controlling rules .

(If you want the formal "design review" information in the city menu, see the Del Rey Oaks zoning page linked below.)

How the code works (short)

• The Planning Commission acts as the design review board ( § 17.56.010 ) .
• Design review is required for all commercial projects and for residential projects that require a variance, use permit, or a building permit for new or structural exterior work ( § 17.56.030 ) .
• The board's review covers building bulk, setbacks, colors/materials, roofs, fenestration, signs, parking, landscaping, and lighting ( § 17.56.030(A)–(J) ) .
• The procedures impose site/topographic survey standards and mandatory on-site flagging for many new structures ( § 17.56.040(B) ) .

Note: This page links to related local topics in the Del Rey Oaks menu when they are first mentioned: design review (zoning), parking, development standards, overlay districts, ADUs, California Building Standards Code, signage, and landscaping and screening.

§ 17.56 — Core design review rules (what to read first)

• Design review board and authority: § 17.56.010 (Planning Commission is the design review board) .
• Purpose/objectives (preserve visual character, encourage quality design, protect property values): § 17.56.020 .
• Scope — when review is required, and what is excluded (cosmetic work excluded): § 17.56.030 .
• Procedure — required application materials, Site Survey, Topographic Survey, flagging/netting, survey standards, and the board’s decision/appeal mechanics: § 17.56.040 (esp. B.1–6 for surveys/flagging; C for action/appeal) .

District-by-district breakdown (how design review interacts with specific Del Rey Oaks zones)

Below are the Del Rey Oaks districts most commonly implicated by design review. Each district subsection summarizes the district purpose, typical permitted uses, key dimensional standards that drive design review issues, and where the district applies in the Code.

Note: design review applies across commercial districts and for qualifying residential projects per § 17.56.030 .

R-1 (Single-Family Residential) — § 17.08

• Purpose / where it appears: Standard single-family residential regulations and accessory housing rules are in Chapter 17.08 (R-1) .
• Typical permitted uses: Single-family dwellings and accessory uses; one auxiliary/auxiliary housing unit allowed with a use permit per § 17.08.100 .
• Key dimensional standards that design review checks:
  • Minimum rear yard: 20% of lot depth, maximum 20 ft (R-1) — § 17.08.070 .
  • Minimum main-dwelling floor area: 900 sq ft (excludes garage/porches) — § 17.08.080 .
  • Auxiliary housing (ADU-like) rules requiring design/architectural review: exterior alterations (parking, driveway, landscaping, fencing, garbage storage, etc.) must be approved by the architectural review board — § 17.08.100(E) . See the city's ADU rules for overlap with statewide ADU law ADUs.

R-2 (Multiple-Family Residential) — § 17.12

• Purpose: Covers duplexes, multiple dwellings and other higher-density residential projects; design review is triggered for developments as required by the general design review scope (variances/use permits/new construction) — see § 17.56.030 and the R-2 chapter § 17.12.020–.090 .
• Typical permitted uses: All R-1 uses plus two-family dwellings, multiple dwellings, hotels, clubs; some conditional uses (e.g., short-term rentals require CUP) — § 17.12.020 & 17.12.025 .
• Key dimensional standards frequently reviewed:
  • Rear yard: 15 ft (R-2) — § 17.12.080 .
  • Distance between buildings on same lot: 15 ft typical, with special rules for dwelling groups and rows — § 17.12.090 .

D District (Multiple-family / Design Control) — § 17.16

• Purpose: A multiple-family density and design control zone meant to preserve open space and control architectural treatment — § 17.16.010–.030 .
• Typical permitted uses: Only uses with a Conditional Use Permit in the D zone (common-interest subdivisions, private recreational uses, private garages/parking accessory to permitted uses) — § 17.16.030 .
• Design review relevance: Because uses in D require use permits, they will trigger design review under § 17.56.030 .

ST (Special Treatment) District — § 17.28

• Purpose: Applied to large parcels (e.g., 5 acres) where site-specific design review (plot plans, open-space preservation) governs — § 17.28.010–.090 .
• Typical permitted uses: Single-family or multiple residential for designated densities by approved plan; accessory buildings when appurtenant to permitted uses — § 17.28.050(A) .
• Key design/submission expectations:
  • Plot plans must show contours, trees >6" diameter, proposed buildings, open space, elevations, colors, materials — § 17.28.050(A)(1)–(7) .
  • Building heights and setbacks are "as shown on approved plan" — § 17.28.050–.080 .
• Design review: the ST district is heavily site-plan driven and will require robust design review documentation per § 17.56.040 .

C Districts (Commercial — e.g., C-1, etc.) — various sections; see Chapter 17.?

• Purpose: Commercial development; the Code authorizes exceptions and use permits and subjects commercial exteriors to design review by default — design review explicitly covers all commercial districts ( § 17.56.030 ) .
• Key design items the board reviews in commercial zones: building height and bulk, setbacks, roof pitch, windows/doors, signs, parking layout, and exterior materials ( § 17.56.030(A)–(J) ) .
• Sign rules are in Chapter 17.59 and the board considers sign size/type/location under design review scope (see § 17.56.030(G) and Chapter 17.59 ) .

AH-OZ (Affordable Housing Overlay Zone) — § 17.90.030

• Purpose: An overlay to encourage affordable housing development; requires a design permit and design review by the Planning Commission with City Council involvement for approval of a design permit for affordable housing projects ( § 17.90.030(G) ) .
• Typical uses: Affordable housing developments meeting density requirements (minimum 20 units/acre, up to 25 units/acre) — § 17.90.030(G)(2) .
• Key standards relevant to design review (tabular in code):
  • Building lot coverage: 50% (max); Structure height: 35 ft (max, 3 stories); Usable open space: 150 sq ft/unit; Minimum lot area: 2 acres; setback guidance refers to R-2 standards (front 20 ft, side 7 ft, rear 15 ft) — see § 17.90.030(G)(2) for the table and § 17.90.030(G)(3) for height rules .
• Incentives: the overlay allows development incentives and limited reductions in setbacks/building coverage as part of the design permit process (subject to findings and Housing Accountability Act consistency) — see § 17.90.030(G) .

Quick decision-relevant table

Checklist — what an applicant must satisfy for Design Review in Del Rey Oaks

• Confirm whether the project is in a commercial district or a residential project that triggers review under § 17.56.030 — cite § 17.56.030 .
• Prepare architectural elevation drawings, exterior color/material samples, and roof/fenestration details covering items listed in § 17.56.030(A)–(J) .
• Submit a Site Survey when required (all new construction; within 3 ft of a minimum setback; or when variance is requested) as described in § 17.56.040(B)(3) — surveys must be stamped by a licensed surveyor/engineer .
• Submit a Topographic Survey where slope, view, or height issues are relevant (see § 17.56.040(B)(4)) .
• Install required flagging/netting prior to the Planning Commission meeting when a new structure or significant exterior change is proposed ( § 17.56.040(B)(6) ) .
• Provide plot/landscaping plan and parking layout — the board reviews parking and landscaping under its scope ( § 17.56.030(H) ) and the parking chapter for required counts parking .
• If the parcel is in an overlay (e.g., AH-OZ), include overlay-specific materials and any affordability/development agreements (see § 17.90.030 ) .
• Anticipate signage review under Chapter 17.59 if signs are included (the design board reviews sign size/type/location under design review scope) .
• Be ready to respond to conditions; if plans are disapproved, you may revise and re-submit or appeal to City Council within the timeframe in § 17.56.040 .

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

If your project is commercial or a residential project requiring a variance, a use permit, or structural exterior work, the Del Rey Oaks Planning Commission will check the design (materials, height, setbacks, windows, signs, parking, landscaping) before a permit is issued; you must supply plans, and often a site/topographic survey and on-site flagging, and you can appeal adverse decisions to the City Council (see § 17.56.010–.040 ) .

Source References

• § 17.56.010 — Design review board (Planning Commission as design review board).
• § 17.56.020 — Purpose and objectives of design review.
• § 17.56.030 — Scope of power: when design review is required and what the board considers (height, bulk, setbacks, materials, roofs, windows, signs, parking, landscaping, lighting; exclusions list).
• § 17.56.040 — Procedure: required plans, Site Survey and Topographic Survey standards, flagging, survey standards, approval/appeal mechanics.
• § 17.08.100 — R-1 auxiliary housing (ADU-like) rules including design review requirement for exterior changes.
• Chapter 17.12 (R-2) — Permitted uses, rear-yard and building separation standards.
• Chapter 17.16 (D district) — Purpose and conditional-use nature of the D district.
• Chapter 17.28 (ST district) — Plot plan, contour, tree, elevation, and design expectations for special treatment zones.
• Chapter 17.59 — Signs (sign rules; Planning Commission design authority over signs via design review scope).
• Chapter 17.90 — Affordable Housing Overlay Zone (AH-OZ): design permit requirement and overlay development standards and incentives (density, coverage, height, setbacks).

Retrieved passages

• Del Rey Oaks Zoning Code (§ 11-224.2) High relevance show source text
• Del Rey Oaks Zoning Code (§ 11-657) High relevance show source text
• CFC § 65589.5 (Chapter and) High relevance show source text
• Del Rey Oaks Zoning Code (§ 11-224.3) High relevance show source text
• Del Rey Oaks Zoning Code (Section 17.90.030) High relevance show source text
• Del Rey Oaks Zoning Code (§ 11-207.2) High relevance show source text
• Del Rey Oaks Zoning Code (section shall) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 11 (section are) High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• § 17.56.010 — Design review board (Planning Commission as design review board). (§ 17.56.010)
• § 17.56.020 — Purpose and objectives of design review. (§ 17.56.020)
• § 17.56.030 — Scope of power: when design review is required and what the board considers (height, bulk, setbacks, materials, roofs, windows, signs, parking, landscaping, lighting; exclusions list). (§ 17.56.030)
• § 17.56.040 — Procedure: required plans, Site Survey and Topographic Survey standards, flagging, survey standards, approval/appeal mechanics. fileciteturn0file3 (§ 17.56.040)
• § 17.08.100 — R-1 auxiliary housing (ADU-like) rules including design review requirement for exterior changes. (§ 17.08.100)
• Chapter 17.12 (R-2) — Permitted uses, rear-yard and building separation standards. fileciteturn0file7 (Chapter 17.12)
• Chapter 17.16 (D district) — Purpose and conditional-use nature of the D district. (Chapter 17.16)
• Chapter 17.28 (ST district) — Plot plan, contour, tree, elevation, and design expectations for special treatment zones. (Chapter 17.28)
• Chapter 17.59 — Signs (sign rules; Planning Commission design authority over signs via design review scope). (Chapter 17.59)
• Chapter 17.90 — Affordable Housing Overlay Zone (AH-OZ): design permit requirement and overlay development standards and incentives (density, coverage, height, setbacks). fileciteturn0file2 (Chapter 17.90)
• DelReyOaks_ZoningCode.md

• Official Del Rey Oaks code library