McFarland — Design Review

Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

Overview

In McFarland, “design review” is implemented primarily through the city’s Site Development Plan review under Title 17, alongside Precise Development (P-D) plan approvals and, where mapped, the D Architectural Design overlay. Most multifamily, commercial, and industrial projects must secure Site Development Plan approval to verify compatibility with surrounding uses and conformance with citywide development standards. § 17.134.010, § 17.134.050

Bottom line: If you’re building or substantially improving multifamily, commercial, or industrial development in McFarland, expect Site Development Plan review focused on architecture, site layout, screening, lighting, landscaping, parking, and neighborhood compatibility. § 17.134.010, § 17.134.020(J)

What triggers design review (Site Development Plan)

• Required before establishing a permitted use, commencing permitted development, or issuing a building or grading permit for development subject to Chapter 17.134. The Planning Commission is the reviewing authority. § 17.134.050
• No separate Site Development Plan is required if the use is already subject to a Conditional Use Permit (CUP). The Planning Director may waive formal review for minor additions of 400 sq ft or less or for a change to a less intensive use. § 17.134.070
• A landscape plan is separately reviewed when a discretionary or ministerial approval is required for the use; conceptual landscaping accompanies the primary application, with detailed plans approved before grading or building permits. § 17.146.070(A)

What the city evaluates (key design standards)

• Architectural compatibility: proposed building design must be compatible with the surrounding neighborhood. § 17.134.020(J)
• Privacy protection near single-family: when new buildings over one story are next to single-family zones, upper windows must be opaque/translucent or otherwise screened as approved. § 17.134.020(G)
• Lighting: on-site lighting may not directly or indirectly illuminate adjacent properties or the frontage street. § 17.134.020(H)
• Trash/service: trash enclosures must be screened and method/location approved; multifamily refuse enclosures must be landscaped and accessible for collection. § 17.134.020(I) and multifamily refuse standards § 17.134.020(F)(9)
• Screening and edge conditions:
  • Rooftop equipment should be screened as an integral architectural element. § 17.134.020(L)(1)
  • Non-enclosed operations across from residential require a masonry wall and frontage landscaping; no storage above fence height. § 17.134.020(L)(2)
  • In the C-O, C-1, and C-2 districts, most business activities must occur inside an enclosed structure (exceptions: parking/loading, gas stations, outdoor dining, nurseries/garden shops). § 17.134.020(L)(3)
  • When adjacent to residential zoning, a 6 ft solid masonry wall in a 5 ft planter with trees at 20 ft spacing is required (reduced to 4 ft in the front setback). Wall design/materials require approval. § 17.134.020(K)
  • Fence/wall materials must be compatible; chain link or metal fencing is prohibited except in M-1, M-2, M-3. § 17.134.020(N)
• Parking/landscaping/signs: comply with Chapters 17.144 (parking), 17.146 (landscaping) and 17.142 (signs) — including parking-lot landscaping and screening near residential, and submittal of a parking lot plan under § 17.144.110. § 17.134.020(O)–(Q); § 17.134.020(H)(1)–(S) excerpts; § 17.146.070(A)

Application contents (what you must submit)

A Site Development Plan application must include, at minimum: applicant/owner information; APNs; legal description; a scaled plan showing topography and grading; existing/proposed buildings; vehicular circulation and parking; [Fire] access approvals; proposed landscaping per Chapter 17.146; building elevations; phasing/schedule; and details for frontage and utility improvements. § 17.134.060(A)–(H)

Related design review pathways

• Precise Development (P-D) zoning: Before any permit in a P-D zone, a P-D plan must be approved by the Planning Commission. The plan is highly detailed (plot plan, grading, building locations/uses, landscaping, parking layout, signs, walls/fences, circulation, and project statistics like height, coverage, open space). § 17.132.030, § 17.132.040(A)–(B)
• D Architectural Design overlay: McFarland maps a combined D zone (“architectural design zone”), which applies additional architectural regulations wherever combined with a base zone. Specific standards are contained in § 17.108.020 (Architectural standards). § 17.108.010–.020
• Mixed-use CRMU: FAR increases may be considered when a project provides “a high level of architectural design” or other public amenities; signs and parking must still follow the base regulations. § 17.78.050(A)–(D), § 17.78.150, § 17.78.160

District-by-district design review scope

The development standards and Site Development Plan requirement explicitly apply to projects in these districts: R-2, R-3, RP, C-O, C-1, C-2, M-1, M-2, M-3, and P-D. § 17.134.010

R-2 (Two-Family Residential)

• Purpose/uses: Two-family dwellings and any use permitted in R-1; home occupations. § 17.20.020(A)–(C)
• Key dimensional standards: Max height two-and-one-half stories/35 ft; front yard 25 ft (with averaging rule); side yard 5 ft (10 ft street side on corners); rear yard 5 ft; min lot area 6,000 sq ft, min 3,000 sq ft per dwelling; max lot coverage 50%. § 17.20.030–.070
• Where Site Development Plan review applies: Multifamily-like site planning and any project subject to Chapter 17.134 within mapped R-2 areas. § 17.134.010, § 17.134.050

R-3 (Limited Multiple-Family Residential)

• Purpose/uses: R-1/R-2 uses plus three- and four-family dwellings, bungalow courts. § 17.24.020(A)–(C)
• Key dimensional standards: Max height two-and-one-half stories/35 ft; front yard 15 ft (with averaging rule); side yard 5 ft (10 ft corner); rear yard standard continues in chapter. § 17.24.030–.050; see chapter for rear yard § 17.24.060.
• Applicability: All R-3 multifamily developments are within Chapter 17.134’s scope. § 17.134.010

RP (Residential Professional)

• Purpose/uses: Not found in retrieved materials.
• Key dimensional standards: Not found in retrieved materials.
• Applicability: Listed in Chapter 17.134; confirm base standards before filing. § 17.134.010; Verify with the jurisdiction.

C-O (Professional Office)

• Purpose/uses: Broad professional and administrative offices plus selected retail/services (e.g., medical offices, labs, pharmacies with clinics). § 17.72.020(A)–(B)
• Key dimensional standards: No side yard; rear yard 20 ft (may be reduced by variance with Fire approval); specific front setback measured from highway centerlines in § 17.72.050; minimum lot area and internal distances as stated in chapter. § 17.72.050–.090; § 17.72.100 (parking equal to office floor area)
• Applicability: Site Development Plan required for C-O projects under Chapter 17.134; most operations must be indoors. § 17.134.010; § 17.134.020(L)(3)

C-1 (Neighborhood Commercial)

• Purpose/uses: Any C-O use plus listed neighborhood commercial uses (e.g., certain indoor recreation). § 17.76.020(A)–(1)
• Key dimensional standards: Chapter includes distance-between-buildings; area requirements reference are included; confirm current front/side/rear setbacks for your parcel. § 17.76.070–.080; Verify with the jurisdiction.
• Applicability: Enclosed-operations rule applies; Site Development Plan review under Chapter 17.134. § 17.134.020(L)(3); § 17.134.050

C-2 (Commercial)

• Purpose/uses: Any C-O/C-1 use plus a wide range of retail, entertainment, lodging, and automobile-oriented uses (e.g., theaters, hotels, auto sales). § 17.80.020(A)–(B)(1)–(3)
• Key dimensional standards: Minimum lot sizes and residential components reference R-4 where applicable; verify current yard/height standards for your site. § 17.76.070 (cross-reference), and C-2 chapter; Verify with the jurisdiction.
• Applicability: Subject to Chapter 17.134 design standards and enclosed-operations rule. § 17.134.010; § 17.134.020(L)(3)

M-1 (Limited Manufacturing)

• Purpose/uses: Manufacturing/warehousing and certain commercial uses; some outdoor storage uses allowed if fully enclosed by a 6 ft masonry wall and screened. § 17.84.020(B), (B)(6)
• Key dimensional standards: Max height two stories/35 ft; front/side/rear yard standards as stated. § 17.84.030–.070
• Applicability: Chapter 17.134 applies; chain link may be allowed in M-1 for fencing. § 17.134.010; § 17.134.020(N)

M-2 (Light Manufacturing)

• Purpose/uses and key standards: Not found in retrieved materials.
• Applicability: Listed in Chapter 17.134; confirm base standards prior to submittal. § 17.134.010; Verify with the jurisdiction.

M-3 (General Manufacturing)

• Purpose/uses and key standards: Not found in retrieved materials.
• Applicability: Listed in Chapter 17.134; confirm base standards prior to submittal. § 17.134.010; Verify with the jurisdiction.

P-D (Precise Development)

• Purpose/uses: Custom zoning tied to a Precise Development Plan; uses reference a base zone. § 17.132.020
• Key dimensional standards: Set by the adopted P-D plan; no construction or grading until the plan is approved. § 17.132.030–.040(B)
• Applicability: The P-D plan is the controlling “design program,” reviewed by the Planning Commission. § 17.132.030–.040(A)

Decision-relevant standards and triggers

Checklist

• Confirm your site’s base zoning and any overlays; check whether your project falls in R-2, R-3, RP, C-O, C-1, C-2, M-1, M-2, M-3, or P-D. § 17.134.010
• Determine if Site Development Plan review is required or waived (≤400 sq ft addition or less intensive change of use) or superseded by a CUP. § 17.134.050, § 17.134.070
• Prepare a complete submittal: scaled site plan; grading; existing/proposed buildings; circulation and parking; Fire access; landscaping per Chapter 17.146; building elevations; phasing/schedule; public improvements (curb, gutter, sidewalks; utilities). § 17.134.060(A)–(H)
• Design for compatibility: architecture, privacy screens/upper windows, lighting cutoffs, screened trash, rooftop equipment screening, and residential edge treatments. § 17.134.020(G)–(N)
• Verify signage conforms to Chapter 17.142 and that commercial operations are enclosed where required. § 17.134.020(L)(3), (Q)
• If mapped in P-D, assemble the detailed P-D plan for Planning Commission approval. § 17.132.030–.040
• If mapped in the D Architectural Design overlay, confirm applicable architectural standards. § 17.108.010–.020; Verify with the jurisdiction.

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

McFarland runs design review through a Site Development Plan process that checks your project’s look and layout against city rules. For most multifamily, commercial, and industrial sites, you submit a complete plan showing buildings, circulation, parking, landscaping, and elevations; the Planning Commission reviews it for neighborhood fit, privacy, screening, and signage. Small additions may get a waiver, and if you’re in a Precise Development zone, your detailed P-D plan is the controlling design document. § 17.134.010, § 17.134.050–.070; § 17.132.030–.040

Source References

• McFarland Municipal Code: Development Standards, Site Development Plan review and standards — § 17.134.010, § 17.134.020, § 17.134.050–.070, § 17.134.080
• Landscaping plan approval — § 17.146.070(A)
• Precise Development zoning and plan content — § 17.132.020–.040
• D Architectural Design overlay — § 17.108.010–.020
• Selected base district references: R-2 § 17.20.020–.080; R-3 § 17.24.020–.060; C-O § 17.72.020, § 17.72.060–.100; C-1 § 17.76.020, § 17.76.070–.080; C-2 § 17.80.020; M-1 § 17.84.020–.090; CRMU § 17.78.050, § 17.78.150–.160

Retrieved passages

• McFarland Zoning Code (§ 30.00) High relevance show source text
• McFarland Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• McFarland Zoning Code (Section 17.36.140.) Medium relevance show source text
• McFarland Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• McFarland Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• CBC § 1 (section apply.) Medium relevance show source text
• McFarland Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• McFarland Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• McFarland Zoning Code (Chapter 17.146) Medium relevance show source text
• McFarland Zoning Code (Chapter 17.146) Medium relevance show source text
• McFarland Zoning Code (Section 17.152.010) Medium relevance show source text
• McFarland Zoning Code (§ 34.11) Medium relevance show source text
• McFarland Zoning Code (§ 34.09) Medium relevance show source text
• CBC § 1 (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• McFarland Zoning Code (chapter relating) Medium relevance show source text
• McFarland Zoning Code (§ 32.17) Medium relevance show source text
• McFarland Zoning Code (chapter for) Medium relevance show source text
• McFarland Zoning Code (§ 5.04) Medium relevance show source text
• McFarland Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• McFarland Zoning Code (§ 30.03) Medium relevance show source text
• McFarland Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance show source text
• McFarland Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• McFarland Municipal Code: Development Standards, Site Development Plan review and standards — § 17.134.010, § 17.134.020, § 17.134.050–.070, § 17.134.080 (§ 17.134.010)
• Landscaping plan approval — § 17.146.070(A) (§ 17.146.070)
• Precise Development zoning and plan content — § 17.132.020–.040 (§ 17.132.020)
• D Architectural Design overlay — § 17.108.010–.020 (§ 17.108.010)
• Selected base district references: **R-2** § 17.20.020–.080; **R-3** § 17.24.020–.060; **C-O** § 17.72.020, § 17.72.060–.100; **C-1** § 17.76.020, § 17.76.070–.080; **C-2** § 17.80.020; **M-1** § 17.84.020–.090; CRMU § 17.78.050, § 17.78.150–.160 (§ 17.20.020)
• McFarland_ZoningCode.md

• Official McFarland code library