Maywood — Design Review

Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

Overview

Maywood runs design review through its Zoning Ordinance as a focused aesthetic check alongside discretionary land-use approvals. If a project must undergo design review in Maywood, it is routed to the City’s Design Review Board for a recommendation before the decision-making body acts. In practice, design review is automatically tied to site plan review or a conditional use permit; certain district standards and overlay programs (like the Residential Specialty overlay for PUDs) shape what the Board will examine and what conditions it may recommend. See § 5130.10–.60 for the structure of Maywood’s program .

In Maywood, if your project needs Site Plan Review or a Conditional Use Permit, it also goes through Design Review (§ 5130.40) .

What “Design Review” covers in Maywood

• Purpose and scope: Design Review is intended “to promote aesthetic compatibility” and “high aesthetic quality.” The Board’s jurisdiction is limited to exterior elevations, landscaping, signs, the project’s relationship to surroundings, and overall appearance (§ 5130.10, § 5130.30) .
• When it applies: Any project undergoing Site Plan Review or Conditional Use Permit review is subject to Design Review (§ 5130.40). Independent sign or façade changes are not specifically listed as triggers unless part of a project that already requires those discretionary reviews; verify early if your scope is signage (see also Maywood Signage) (§ 5130.40) .
• Who reviews: The five-member Design Review Board includes one City Council member, one Planning Commissioner, one community member, the City Engineer, and the Building & Planning Director (or designee). Members serve staggered two‑year terms (§ 5130.20) .
• Process timing: The Board holds a public meeting at least one month before the Site Plan or other discretionary hearing; notice is provided to the applicant at least 10 days in advance. Within 10 days after its final meeting, the Board forwards a recommendation for approval or specific design changes to staff (§ 5130.50) .
• Referrals back: A hearing body may refer a recommendation back to the Board once to clarify or refine design items (§ 5130.60) .
• Appeals: The ordinance lists “Appeal of Board’s Recommendation” (§ 5130.70), but detailed appeal mechanics were not included in the retrieved pages. Not found in retrieved materials (heading only) .

How Design Review connects to other Maywood reviews

• Site Plan Review (SPR): When no other discretionary permit is requested, SPR is required for all residential development and for commercial/industrial development larger than 5,000 sq ft; new single‑family homes on previously subdivided lots and a residential “second unit” per Appendix C‑10 are exempt (§ 5120.20). SPR decisions are made by staff, generally within 60 days after the Board’s recommendation if conducted as an independent procedure (§ 5120.30.B; § 5120.50) .
• CUPs and variances: For Conditional Use Permits and variances, staff must send design materials to the Board for a recommendation before the Planning Commission hearing; the Commission may refer the project back to the Board once for more design work (§ 5100.30.A–C) .
• Parking plans: A site plan is required for nearly all parking facilities (processed under § 5120), which can also route a project through design review, especially for commercial/industrial sites (§ 4100.30.A) .
• Overlays and PUDs: Planned Unit Developments in the RS (Residential Specialty) Overlay require a DRB recommendation folded into staff’s PUD analysis; the Planning Commission can send a PUD back to the Board once for further design changes (§ 5125.40.A–C) . See Maywood Overlay Districts.

Design Review — Triggers & Process at a Glance

District-by-District: Where Design Review typically comes up

Design review doesn’t change what you can build; it pairs with the underlying zoning standards and any required discretionary permit. The snapshots below flag common triggers, basics on purpose/uses, and key dimensional standards. For full dimensional rules, see Maywood Development Standards and Maywood Zoning.

R-3 Multiple-Family Residential

• Purpose/uses: Higher-density residential; permitted/conditional uses are listed in Appendix A (Table of Permitted Uses). Not found in retrieved materials for the full use table.
• Common DR triggers: Nearly all new residential projects require SPR, and therefore DR. Single‑family on a previously subdivided lot and a “second unit” per Appendix C‑10 are exempt from SPR (and thus from DR unless part of another discretionary action) (§ 5120.20) .
• Key dimensional standards:
  • Front yard: 25 ft (§ 4010.120)
  • Interior side yard: min 10% lot width (3–5 ft); second story setback 5 ft (§ 4010.130.A)
  • Exterior side yard: 10 ft (§ 4010.130.B)
  • Rear yard: 10% of lot depth, but not less than 15 ft (§ 4010.140.A)
  • Height: “two stories or 35 ft” as written in § 4010.90 (read with care)
  • Selected design standards: match roofline/architectural style of existing structures on the lot (§ 4010.150); window placement/privacy spacing (§ 4010.160)
• Where it applies: R‑3 mapped areas citywide (check zoning map). Verify with the jurisdiction.

C and CM (Commercial and Commercial Manufacturing)

• Purpose/uses: General and light-industrial commercial districts; specific uses are in Appendix A. Not found in retrieved materials for the full use table.
• Common DR triggers: Commercial projects over 5,000 sq ft need SPR (and thus DR). Certain uses or features may require a CUP, which also routes to DR (§ 5120.20; § 5100.30) .
• Key dimensional standards (selected):
  • Height: max three stories or 45 ft (§ 4030.80)
  • Sides abutting ROW: 5 ft landscaped setback; abutting residential: 6 ft for first story plus 3 ft per additional story (§ 4030.100.B)
  • Front yard: none required, though SPR may require an entry setback (§ 4030.90)
  • Screening next to residential: 6–8 ft solid wall (§ 4030.140.A)
• Where it applies: C/CM corridors; confirm map. See also Maywood Parking for on‑site parking design (§ 4100) .

M (Manufacturing)

• Purpose/uses: Industrial district; uses per Appendix A (Not found in retrieved materials for the full table).
• Common DR triggers: Industrial developments > 5,000 sq ft need SPR (and DR). Some industrial uses likely require CUPs, also routing to DR (§ 5120.20; § 5100.30) .
• Key dimensional standards (selected):
  • Lot width: 50 ft minimum (§ 4040.60)
  • Lot coverage: 90% max (§ 4040.70)
  • FAR: 0.40 unless otherwise shown on the map (§ 4040.80)
  • Height: 45 ft/three stories (§ 4040.90)
  • Yards: none generally; 5 ft landscaped side yard at ROW; 25 ft side yard abutting residential; 15 ft rear yard abutting residential (§ 4040.110–.120)
• Where it applies: Industrial tracts; confirm map.

OS (Open Space)

• Purpose/uses: Public parks and recreation; accessory uses subordinate to recreation/resources. Primary uses permitted by right are parks and recreation; CUP uses per Appendix A (§ 4050.20, § 4050.30–.40) .
• Common DR triggers: Buildings/improvements that require SPR or a CUP.
• Key dimensional standards: 20 ft setbacks from property lines; 20 ft/one‑story height cap (§ 4050.50) .
• Where it applies: Public lands designated OS.

PF (Public Facilities)

• Purpose/uses: Civic/public facilities; many uses require CUP, which triggers DR (§ 4060 intro; CUP cross‑reference) .
• Key dimensional standards:
  • Lot size/width: 7,500 sq ft; 50 ft width (§ 4060.50–.60)
  • FAR: 0.50 (§ 4060.70)
  • Height: 45 ft/three stories (§ 4060.80)
  • Yards: 10 ft front; side—none generally, 5 ft at ROW and 15 ft abutting residential; 10 ft rear (§ 4060.90–.110)
• Where it applies: PF‑zoned public parcels.

RS Overlay (Residential Specialty) — Planned Unit Development (PUD)

• Purpose/uses: Facilitate multi‑family affordable housing in the RS Overlay via flexible standards (§ 5125.10) .
• DR integration: Staff must solicit a Design Review Board recommendation, then incorporate it into the PUD recommendation to the Planning Commission (§ 5125.40.A–B) .
• Selected guidelines: Height varies by adjacency—up to 45 ft next to commercial, 35 ft next to R‑3, and 50 ft next to the RS Overlay; these “bands” extend no more than halfway into the site (§ 5125.20.1) . Up to 25% parking reduction may be allowed in a PUD (§ 5125.20.2) .
• Where it applies: Parcels mapped with the RS Overlay; see Maywood Overlay Districts.

Information Gaps

• Full permitted/conditional use lists by district are in Appendix A (Table of Permitted Uses). Not found in retrieved materials; confirm with the City .
• Text of § 5130.70 (Appeal of Board’s Recommendation) was not included in the retrieved pages. Not found in retrieved materials; verify process and deadlines with staff .

Checklist

• Confirm if your scope triggers SPR or a CUP (and thus DR): all residential; commercial/industrial > 5,000 sq ft; SFD on a previously subdivided lot and second units per Appendix C‑10 are exempt (§ 5120.20) .
• Prepare submittals per the City’s application content requirements, including the nature of adjacent uses, impact explanation, a detailed site plan, and any architectural elevations, materials, and colors (§ 5040.40.A–B) .
• Include parking layout details with your site plan where required (§ 4100.30.A) .
• Coordinate DRB scheduling at least one month before the SPR/CUP hearing; ensure the applicant receives 10‑day advance notice (§ 5130.50.B) .
• Address DRB comments promptly; the Board transmits recommendations within 10 days of its final meeting (§ 5130.50.C) .
• If your project is a PUD in the RS Overlay, plan for DRB review and possible Planning Commission referral back once for design changes (§ 5125.40.A–C) .
• For commercial signage or façade work, verify whether a discretionary action is involved; if so, DR will apply (§ 5130.30–.40) and also see Maywood Signage and Maywood Landscaping and Screening for related standards .

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

If your Maywood project needs a site plan review or a conditional use permit, it will also go through design review. A five‑member Board looks at your elevations, landscaping, signs, and the fit with neighbors, then recommends conditions the decision‑makers can adopt. Stay ahead by aligning with your district’s height, yard, and design standards, and plan the Board meeting a month before your hearing. For small, exempt projects like single‑family homes on previously subdivided lots or ADUs, design review usually doesn’t apply.

Source References

• Maywood Zoning Ordinance — Design Review, Board, jurisdiction, trigger, timing, referral (§ 5130.10–.60)
• Site Plan Review — intent, thresholds, timing, actions (§ 5120.10–.70)
• CUP/Variance procedures — DRB recommendation and Commission referrals (§ 5100.30.A–D)
• Parking site plan submittal (§ 4100.30.A)
• R‑3 dimensional and design standards (§ 4010.90–.170)
• C/CM standards and screening (§ 4030.80–.145)
• M district standards (§ 4040.60–.130, .145)
• OS standards and uses (§ 4050.20, .50)
• PF standards (§ 4060.50–.150)
• RS Overlay PUD — purpose, DR integration, height bands, parking reduction (§ 5125.10, .20, .40)

Also see: Maywood zoning & planning overview, Maywood Land Use, Maywood Variances and Exceptions, Maywood Parking, Maywood Development Standards, Maywood Overlay Districts, Maywood Signage, Maywood Landscaping and Screening, Maywood ADUs, and the California Building Standards Code.

Retrieved passages

• Maywood Zoning Code (Section 5110.40.A) High relevance show source text
• Maywood Zoning Code (Section 4100) High relevance show source text
• Maywood Zoning Code (Chapter 5050) High relevance show source text
• Maywood Zoning Code (Section 5100) High relevance show source text
• Maywood Zoning Code (Section 5100.50) High relevance show source text
• Maywood Zoning Code (Title 7) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 5120 (Section 5120) High relevance show source text
• Maywood Zoning Code (Section 5050) High relevance show source text
• Maywood Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• Maywood Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• Maywood Zoning Code (SECTION 1000) High relevance show source text
• Maywood Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text
• Maywood Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text
• Maywood Zoning Code (Section 5140) Medium relevance show source text
• Maywood Zoning Code (Title 7) Medium relevance show source text
• Maywood Zoning Code (Title 7) Medium relevance show source text
• Maywood Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text
• Maywood Zoning Code (Section 4100) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Maywood Zoning Ordinance — Design Review, Board, jurisdiction, trigger, timing, referral (§ 5130.10–.60) (§ 5130.10)
• Site Plan Review — intent, thresholds, timing, actions (§ 5120.10–.70) (§ 5120.10)
• CUP/Variance procedures — DRB recommendation and Commission referrals (§ 5100.30.A–D) (§ 5100.30.A)
• Parking site plan submittal (§ 4100.30.A) (§ 4100.30.A)
• R‑3 dimensional and design standards (§ 4010.90–.170) (§ 4010.90)
• C/CM standards and screening (§ 4030.80–.145) (§ 4030.80)
• M district standards (§ 4040.60–.130, .145) (§ 4040.60)
• OS standards and uses (§ 4050.20, .50) (§ 4050.20)
• PF standards (§ 4060.50–.150) (§ 4060.50)
• RS Overlay PUD — purpose, DR integration, height bands, parking reduction (§ 5125.10, .20, .40) (§ 5125.10)
• Maywood_ZoningCode.md

• Official Maywood code library