Local zoning · Delano

Delano — Design Review

Q: Is site plan review different from design review?

Yes — Site Plan Review ( § 20.2.65 ) focuses on site-level impacts, circulation, utilities, and compatibility and is required for permitted uses in a zone; design review ( § 20.2.80 ) addresses aesthetic and architectural compatibility. They are coordinated in practice and often processed together.

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

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page explains how Delano regulates design review for new construction, additions, renovations, and conversions under the local zoning code. The city's design-review rules are located in § 20.2.80 (design review) and are tied into the site plan review process (see § 20.2.65) and the Community Development Director / Planning Commission decision structure; all of these are implemented alongside the City's development standards. See the City zoning and process pages for related topics: Delano Zoning, Delano Land Use (used here as the local "design review" landing), and Delano Development Standards. The Community Development Director is the usual reviewer but the Planning Commission hears major or required cases. § 20.2.80 establishes purpose, scope, and required findings for design review in Delano.

What the code actually requires (short list)

Design review approval is required before a building permit for residential or commercial development will be issued. § 20.2.80.
The Community Development Director may approve or deny design review applications and impose reasonable conditions; the Director may refer any decision to the Planning Commission. § 20.2.80(4).
Projects that “otherwise require” Planning Commission approval must be reviewed by the Planning Commission for design review. § 20.2.80(3).
Design criteria for nonresidential projects require consistency with the General Plan, this Title, City Design Guidelines, and any adopted architectural criteria (historic districts, theme areas, etc.). § 20.2.80(5).
Site Plan Review is a related—sometimes overlapping—process and is required for permitted uses in a zone; authority for site plan approvals is vested in the Community Development Director (appealable) or the Planning Commission where tied to other discretionary permits. § 20.2.65.

District-by-district breakdown (Delano-specific)

Delano's zone district list is codified at § 20.1.110. Use-specific rules and the Official Zoning Map determine whether design review or site-plan review apply on a given parcel; where a district section is available below I cite it.

Note: For residential dimensional standards consult the Residential Site Development Standards (Table 4.B).

RA (Residential Agricultural)

Purpose: Preserve low-density agricultural and large-lot residential uses. § 20.1.110.
Typical permitted uses: agricultural uses and large-lot single-family dwellings (district name implies uses; see Official Zoning Map and Tables). Verify specific allowed uses in the Official Zoning Map / use tables. Verify with the jurisdiction.
Key dimensional standards: See Table 4.B for RA minimum lot area and setbacks (Table 4.B contains the RA column). Table 4.B / § 20.4 series.
Where it applies: Outlying, low-density parcels identified on the Official Zoning Map. § 20.1.110.

R-1 (Single‑Family Residential)

Purpose: Single-family housing and neighborhood character preservation. § 20.1.110.
Typical permitted uses: single-family dwellings (district name). For exact permitted accessory uses and conditions, consult the use tables and the Official Zoning Map; verify with the Community Development Department.
Key dimensional standards (decision-relevant): minimum lot area, lot width, front/side/rear setbacks, lot coverage and max height as shown in Table 4.B (see R-1 column). Examples from Table 4.B: minimum lot area ~6,000 sq ft (interior) and typical maximum lot coverage 40% in R-1; accessory dwelling rules also appear in the table. Table 4.B.
Design review: A building permit for residential development will not be issued until design review approval is obtained under § 20.2.80.

R-2 (Light Multiple‑Family Residential)

Purpose: Duplexes, townhouses, and smaller multi-family forms. § 20.1.110.
Typical permitted uses: duplexes, small multi-family, accessory uses (see use tables). Verify use table for conditions.
Dimensional standards: refer to Table 4.B (R-2 column) for minimum lot area (≈9,000 sq ft for some lot types), setbacks, max height and coverage. Table 4.B.
Design review: Same permit-blocking rule applies — building permit requires design review clearance § 20.2.80.

R-3 (Multiple‑Family Residential)

Purpose: Larger multi-family developments and higher densities. § 20.1.110.
Typical permitted uses: apartment buildings, condominiums (also see Chapter 20.4.40 on condominium/townhouse/apartment developments). § 20.4.40 addresses additional standards.
Dimensional standards: Table 4.B (R-3 column) — higher allowed lot coverage and different setbacks. Table 4.B.
Site plan and design review: Multi‑family projects are evaluated against the City's site-design and architectural criteria; design review is required before building permits (§ 20.2.80) and condominium/townhouse projects have specific submittal/inspection expectations (§ 20.4.40).

GC (General Commercial), NC (Neighborhood Commercial), DC (Downtown Commercial), CRC (Community Retail Commercial)

Purpose: Commercial uses of different scales and characters. § 20.1.110.
Typical permitted uses: Varies by commercial district (see use tables for each district). For example, certain small recycling facilities and retail uses are mapped to commercial zones with differing permit types. Table and use lists in the code specify whether a use is permitted, conditional, or prohibited.
Key design standards: Nonresidential design criteria (compatibility with General Plan, City Design Guidelines, historic criteria) apply; see § 20.2.80(5). Parking and circulation requirements are applied via the parking chapter. § 20.2.80(5); parking reference in site plan conditions (Chapter 20.13).
Where it applies: in commercially mapped parcels (Official Zoning Map). § 20.1.110.

I (Industrial) and CRC

Purpose: Employment, processing and heavier commercial uses. § 20.1.110.
Typical permitted uses: industrial and employment uses; some recycling and processing uses are explicitly handled with permit types and setbacks in the code. See the code's specific use entries.
Design review: Industrial projects are subject to site plan review and the nonresidential design criteria in § 20.2.80(5).

PD (Planned Development)

Purpose: Flexible, project‑specific zone allowing planned mixes of uses under a unified plan. § 20.1.110.
Typical permitted uses & standards: Established in the PD ordinance or plan for each tract; site design and architectural standards are project‑specific and subject to design review and conditions. Verify PD-specific plan documents.
Dimensional rules: PD may vary setbacks/coverage within the approved plan; see Table 4.B for baseline residential comparisons if a PD contains housing. Table 4.B.

CF (Community Facilities)

Purpose & permitted uses: Public and quasi‑public facilities; Table 3.A lists specific CF uses and permit types (ambulance services, schools, libraries, etc.). See Table 3.A for a full list.
Design review: Public building projects are still subject to design/site plan review to ensure compatibility with surrounding development and public objectives. § 20.2.65 and § 20.2.80 apply where construction permits are required.

PA (Parks)

Purpose: Parks and recreational uses; Table 3.D lists permitted park uses and accessory facilities. § 20.3.22 / Table 3.D.

DI (Drilling Island) and PE (Petroleum Extraction Combining)

Purpose: DI and PE regulate oil/gas exploration, production and related facilities; DI is discussed at § 20.3.40 with a tailored permitted‑use list. § 20.3.40 contains the DI purpose and permitted‑use list.
Design review/site plan: Oil/gas facilities must submit development plans, and these are reviewed by the Community Development Director per DI/PE provisions; additional submittal items and plan content are required. See DI text for required plot plan elements.

Overlay and special districts

Airport Approach Height (H), Affordable Housing (AH) Overlay, and Specific Plan (SP) districts overlay or supplement base zones; provisions in an overlay may supersede underlying zone standards (for example, the AH Overlay sets minimum density and ministerial review provisions for qualifying affordable projects). See § 20.3.25 for the AH Overlay. Overlay rules may change how design review or ministerial/ministerial-by-right processes apply — read the overlay text for superseding rules.

For full permitted‑use tables by district, consult the Official Zoning Map and the zone-specific tables in Chapter 20.3 and Chapter 20.4; the zone list is in § 20.1.110.

Key decision standards & process (what reviewers look for)

The design must not adversely affect adjoining properties or the City (aesthetic, health, safety or architecturally related impacts) — the stated purpose of design review. § 20.2.80(1).
New/renovated development must show compliance with the General Plan, this Title, City Design Guidelines, and adopted architectural criteria (historic districts, theme areas). § 20.2.80(5)(a).
Reviewers may require conditions covering open space, buffering, fences/walls, landscaping, stormwater/erosion control, ingress/egress, traffic circulation, signs, grading, improvement schedules and more. § 20.2.80(4) and site plan conditions list.
For site-plan findings, the reviewer must find the proposed use is permitted in the zone, consistent with this Title and the General Plan, suitable for the site, adequately served by utilities, and not materially injurious to the neighborhood. § 20.2.65(6) (site plan findings).

Decision authority, appeals, and timelines

Authority: Community Development Director reviews most design and site plan actions; Planning Commission reviews projects requiring its approval and hears appeals of Director decisions. § 20.2.80(3)–(4); § 20.2.65(3).
Appeals: A decision subject to appeal shall not become effective for ten calendar days to allow appeals; appeals timelines (10 calendar days for director decisions) are set out in the code. Appeal and finalization rules.

Quick-reference table (most decision‑relevant items)

Item	What matters to the reviewer	Code reference
Design review requirement	No building permit for residential or commercial development until design review is approved	§ 20.2.80
Who decides	Community Development Director (administrative) — Planning Commission for projects requiring its approval or on appeal	§ 20.2.80(3–4)
Site Plan Review applicability	Required for permitted uses in the zone; Director or Commission is decision body depending on associated permits	§ 20.2.65(2–3)
Required site-plan findings	Use permitted, complies with Title/General Plan, site suitable, utilities adequate, not materially injurious	§ 20.2.65(6)
Residential dimensional standards	Setbacks, coverage, heights, min lot size per district (see Table 4.B)	Table 4.B / § 20.4 series
Nonresidential design criteria	Consistency with General Plan, City Design Guidelines, respect views, transitions, stepbacks	§ 20.2.80(5)

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy before the City will act)

Submit a complete Design Review / Site Plan Review application on City forms (see Community Development Director submittal requirements). Verify required fees. § 20.2.65(4).
Scaled site plan with property lines, proposed buildings, setbacks, parking layout, driveways, stormwater features, and utilities. (Site Plan Review application requirements.) § 20.2.65(4–5).
Architectural elevations and materials/colors demonstrating compatibility with surrounding character (design review criteria). § 20.2.80(5).
Landscape documentation package when applicable (projects with ≥500 sq ft of new landscape area and many private development projects). See landscaping rules and required Landscape Documentation Package. § 20.10.390.
Parking plan meeting Chapter 20.13 minima and any modifications requested (parking is a condition of site plan review). See the parking chapter for code minima. Delano Parking.
Any requested studies noted by the Community Development Director (traffic, drainage, noise, arbor, historic, etc.). § 20.2.65(5).
For small changes to approved projects, consider a Substantial Conformance Review (expedited) — see § 20.2.165.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Whether ADUs require full design-review hearings	State ADU law places limits on local design controls for ADUs; local code shows ADU dimensions in Table 4.B but does not clearly state a design-review exemption	Verify with Community Development whether ADUs are processed ministerially or require design review on a case-by-case basis; see ADU rules and state law. Not found in retrieved materials for explicit ADU design‑review exemption.
Overlay supersession (e.g., AH Overlay)	Overlay may supersede base-zone standards (density, review pathway) and change whether design review is discretionary	Check the overlay text: § 20.3.25 (AH Overlay) describes superseding rules. Verify project-specific overlay provisions.
Exact permitted uses by parcel	Many use tables are in the code, but the Official Zoning Map and specific table entries control whether a use is P/C/Prohibited	Confirm permitted/conditional use in the zone's use table and on the Official Zoning Map. § 20.1.110 lists district names only.
Which projects go to Planning Commission vs Director	The code gives general rules but application of "projects that otherwise require approval by the Planning Commission" is case‑by‑case	For a specific parcel, ask the Community Development Director early for a "pre-app" determination. § 20.2.80(3–4).
Fees and exact submittal checklist	Code references application forms and fees set by resolution but does not embed fee schedule here	Obtain current fee schedule and submittal checklist from the Community Development Department. § 20.2.65(4) references forms/fees.

Plain‑English summary

Delano requires design review clearance before you can pull a building permit for most residential or commercial projects; the Community Development Director usually handles the review (with the Planning Commission hearing certain cases), and reviewers check that your site plan, building elevations, landscaping and parking meet the city's development standards and General Plan policies. § 20.2.80 and § 20.2.65 are the controlling rules.

Information Gaps

The uploaded excerpts do not include a parcel‑by‑parcel list linking the Official Zoning Map to the specific use table entries for every zone; confirm permitted uses on the Official Zoning Map. Not found in retrieved materials.
The code text included ADU dimensional entries in Table 4.B but did not clearly state whether ADUs are exempt from design-review or site-plan review under local practice — local practice and updated ADU administrative procedures were not present in uploaded materials. Not found in retrieved materials.
Current fee schedule, application forms, and an official Design Guidelines document (graphics, materials palettes) were not included in the uploaded excerpts; obtain from the Community Development Department. Not found in retrieved materials.

Source References

Delano Municipal Code — Design review: § 20.2.80 (Design Review)
Delano Municipal Code — Site plan review: § 20.2.65 (Site Plan Review)
Delano Municipal Code — Community Development Director authority and design‑condition list: § 20.2.80(4) and related passages.
Delano Municipal Code — Nonresidential design criteria: § 20.2.80(5).
Delano Municipal Code — Substantial Conformance Review: § 20.2.165.
Delano Municipal Code — Zone districts list: § 20.1.110 (districts created and names).
Delano Municipal Code — Residential Site Development Standards (Table 4.B) and related notes (RA, R-1, R-2, R-3 dimensional standards).
Delano Municipal Code — Community Facilities uses Table 3.A and Park district text Table 3.D.
Delano Municipal Code — Landscape documentation and standards: § 20.10.390 (Landscape Documentation Package).
Delano municipal code citations to parking/site-plan conditions and related chapters (Chapter 20.13 referenced in site-plan conditions).
For state ADU/ministerial limits (context only): California ADU guidance in uploaded ADU handbook (state-level summary). Not an explicit Delano ordinance text — verify local implementation.

Note: For building‑code technical compliance refer to the California Building Standards Code (Title 24) — building permits require Title 24 compliance but the design-review page here addresses only the zoning/design controls (not Title 24). Also refer to related Delano pages: Delano Parking, Delano Overlay Districts, Delano ADUs, and Delano Development Standards.

Sources

Retrieved passages

Delano Zoning Code (Section 20.1.140) High relevance
Delano Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance
Delano Zoning Code (Section 20.2.180) Medium relevance
Delano Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance
Delano Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance
Delano Zoning Code (Chapter 4.5) Medium relevance
Delano Zoning Code (Section 20.2.165) Medium relevance
Delano Zoning Code (Chapter 20.13) Medium relevance
CFC § 1 (title report) Medium relevance
Delano Zoning Code (title report) Medium relevance
Delano Zoning Code (Section 20.2.50.6) Medium relevance
California Residential Code (Title is) Medium relevance
Delano Zoning Code (Section 20.) Medium relevance
Delano Zoning Code (title 25) Medium relevance
Delano Zoning Code (Section 20.10.180) Medium relevance
Delano Zoning Code Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official Delano code library

Frequently asked questions

Do I need design review in Delano?

Yes — Delano requires design review approval before issuing a building permit for residential or commercial development; this is set out in § 20.2.80. The Community Development Director is the primary reviewer; certain projects or appeals go to the Planning Commission.

What is the standard the reviewer uses for design review?

Reviewers evaluate whether the project avoids adverse aesthetic, health, safety, or architecturally related impacts, is compatible with adjacent development and the General Plan, and meets City Design Guidelines and any specialized architectural criteria. See the purpose and design criteria in § 20.2.80(1) and (5).

What does the Community Development Director usually require as conditions?

Common conditions include open space, screening/buffering, fences/walls, landscaping and maintenance, erosion control, vehicular ingress/egress, traffic circulation, signs, grading requirements, and project scheduling — all listed as possible conditions the Director or Commission may attach. § 20.2.80(4).

What are the key residential setbacks and lot coverage to expect for an R‑1 lot?

Delano’s Residential Site Development Standards (Table 4.B) show typical R‑1 standards (example: 40% maximum lot coverage in many R‑1 layouts and minimum lot area approx. 6,000 sq. ft. for an interior lot). Consult Table 4.B for the full matrix and notes.

Is site plan review different from design review?

Yes — Site Plan Review (§ 20.2.65) focuses on site-level impacts, circulation, utilities, and compatibility and is required for permitted uses in a zone; design review (§ 20.2.80) addresses aesthetic and architectural compatibility. They are coordinated in practice and often processed together.

Does the Affordable Housing Overlay change design review requirements?

The AH Overlay contains provisions that supersede underlying district standards (minimum densities, and ministerial review rules for qualifying affordable housing). Overlay provisions can change the review pathway—read § 20.3.25 to see what is superseded. Verify project-specific applicability on the Official Zoning Map.

If I propose a small renovation, do I need a full design review again?

Minor non‑substantial revisions to approved projects may be handled through a Substantial Conformance Review (expedited administrative review) rather than a full discretionary hearing; see § 20.2.165 for the criteria and process.

Where do I find the landscaping and irrigation requirements I must submit?

Projects subject to landscape review must submit a Landscape Documentation Package meeting the requirements of § 20.10.390 (plans, irrigation, planting lists, and certification).

What happens if the Community Development Director denies my design review?

You may appeal a Director decision to the Planning Commission; Director decisions that are appealable are not effective for ten calendar days to allow filing of an appeal. See appeal provisions in the code and the timeline in the relevant procedure sections.

Can the Director record conditions against my property?

Yes — acceptance of conditions may be recorded; for example, Site Plan Review approvals and some permits require an “Acceptance of Conditions” form and conditions can be recorded against a property as part of the approval. § 20.2.65 and related conditional approval text.

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