Local zoning · Montebello

Montebello — Design Review

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

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

Design review in Montebello is handled as a mix of purpose-built reviews (site plan, civic center, hillside, planned development) and topic-specific reviews (exterior color, materials, and compatibility). The city delegates authority between the Planning Division, the Planning Commission, a Design Review Board, and the City Council depending on the district and the type/size of the project; triggers and required findings are set out in Title 17 of the Montebello Municipal Code. For downtown projects the Downtown Specific Plan (the Downtown Code) adds an external peer review step for architecture and compatibility. See the city's thresholds for when formal review is required (§ 17.74.030) .

(Note: this page focuses only on what the Montebello zoning/planning ordinance says about design/architectural/site review and related design controls; building-code requirements (Title 24) are outside its scope—see the California Building Standards Code.) /us/california/building-codes

How Montebello organizes design review (by district / program)

Below are the Montebello-specific review pathways and the ordinance sections that control them. Each subsection states the local designation followed by what the Municipal Code requires about design or architectural/site review in that district.

Site Plan Review (citywide threshold)

  • Purpose & trigger: The Site Plan Review process exists to reduce adverse impacts from design or layout. A site plan review is required for residential projects resulting in three or more dwelling units and for commercial/industrial projects constructing 5,000 sq ft or more of building area (§ 17.74.010 – § 17.74.030) .
  • Authority & findings: The Planning Commission may approve, conditionally approve or deny a development plan; before approval the Commission must find that the design (A) complies with the Municipal Code, (B) is consistent with the General Plan, and (C) will not have significant adverse impacts on surrounding properties or public welfare (§ 17.74.020, § 17.74.070) .
  • Application content & timeline: Applications must include construction plans and a plot plan showing proposed and adjacent improvements (including finished grades at least 20 feet beyond the site) and are set for a public hearing under Chapter 17.78; the Commission must render findings within 20 days after the hearing unless extended with the applicant's consent (§ 17.74.050, § 17.74.060, § 17.74.090) .

Civic Center District — Civic Center District

  • Applicability: Property inside the Civic Center District is subject to a special civic center review; all plans for buildings or structures other than single-family homes must be submitted to the Planning Commission and City Council for review and approval prior to issuance of a permit (§ 17.40.040) .
  • Submittal requirements: The ordinance requires detailed plot plans, architectural elevations, exterior color schemes, landscaping, lighting, and sign details when civic center review is required (§ 17.40.050) .
  • Council authority: The City Council may disapprove or require changes to architectural treatment and impose conditions deemed necessary to carry out the district intent (§ 17.40.080) .

Commercial Zones — C-R, C-1, C-2

  • Design controls: The commercial zone includes explicit exterior color and materials standards; the primary body color for commercial structures must be earth tones/neutral colors, with brighter colors limited to accents (§ 17.22.105) .
  • Review path: Exterior color plans for repainting or new construction are reviewed by the Planning Division for administrative projects; applicants may appeal planning-division decisions to the Design Review Board (no fee for color appeals). For discretionary (commission/council) projects, the Design Review Board reviews color plans and its decision may be appealed to the City Council within a short appeal window (§ 17.22.105) .
  • Related standards (setbacks, materials, landscaping): Commercial setbacks, façade and landscaping standards that affect design review are found in the commercial development standards and exhibits (e.g., setback exhibit and façade requirements in § 17.22.080, § 17.22.100) .

Manufacturing / Industrial Zones — M-1, M-2

  • Color & materials: The manufacturing zone imposes exterior color standards similar to the commercial zone; permits for repainting and proposed color plans are reviewed by the Planning Division and can be appealed to the Design Review Board (§ 17.32.135) .
  • Visibility & screening expectations: The manufacturing zone also requires that outdoor uses and storage be screened so they are not visible from public rights-of-way and sets surfacing requirements; these design/screening rules influence decisions in design review for industrial sites (§ 17.32.150) .

Planned Development Overlay — PD (overlay)

  • Design Review Permits: All development within a Planned Development (PD) are required to process design review permits "as applicable" and specifically must follow the design review provisions identified in § 17.22.105 (commercial color standards used as a cross reference) (§ 17.38.030, § 17.38.070) .
  • Planned development findings and integration: The Planning Commission makes findings on compatibility, infrastructure adequacy and consistency with the General Plan before recommending PD approval; the PD precise plan may supersede or modify standard development regulations (see § 17.38.070) . See overlays for mapping and applicability. /us/california/montebello/overlay-districts

Hillside Plan Review — hillside areas

  • When required: Hillside plans are required for properties in designated hillside areas when subdivisions, grading, or parcel maps are proposed; required submittal content is extensive (grading, cut/fill, drainage, landscape, retaining walls, sight distance, etc.) (§ 17.42.020 – § 17.42.030) .
  • Review authority: Hillside reviews are processed by the Planning Commission with required public noticing and fees (§ 17.42.040, § 17.42.050) .

Downtown Specific Plan area — Downtown Code (Title 17, § 17.040.110)

  • Form-based approach & peer review: The Downtown Specific Plan (the Downtown Code, § 17.040.110) emphasizes public-realm standards (setbacks, frontage, height, parking) and requires that development applications in the downtown be subject to an external peer review (architect/urban designer/planner) to assure architectural quality and compatibility; the Review Authority will set fees and procedures for that external review (Downtown Code, Development Code 4.9.C / § 17.040.110) .
  • Administrative vs discretionary: The Downtown Code assigns ministerial reviews to the Planning Director for certain minor applications and reserves discretionary reviews for the Planning Commission or City Council as described in its tables (§ 17.040.110, Development Code 4.9.A–4.9.C) .

HOO (Housing Opportunity Overlay) — HOO overlay

  • Review approach: Projects compliant with HOO development standards undergo administrative review by the Director of Planning and Community Development to confirm consistency with design guidelines; if a project does not meet HOO standards it is subject to discretionary Planning Commission review (§ 17.47.070) .

Key decision‑relevant standards (quick table)

Topic / Trigger What matters to the design reviewer Review authority Code reference
Site plan review trigger ≥ 3 dwelling units or ≥ 5,000 sq ft commercial/industrial building area Planning Commission (public hearing) § 17.74.030
Required site plan findings Compliance with MMC; consistency with General Plan; no significant adverse impacts Planning Commission § 17.74.070
Civic Center review All non–single‑family building plans inside Civic Center District; detailed elevations, colors, landscaping Planning Commission → City Council § 17.40.040 – § 17.40.050
Commercial color standards Primary body colors—earth tones / neutrals; accent colors allowed; no neons Planning Division review; appeal to Design Review Board § 17.22.105
Manufacturing color & materials Similar color rules; repainting permits required; appeal path to DRB/council Planning Division; Design Review Board appeals § 17.32.135
Downtown (Form‑based) architectural review External peer review (architect/urban designer/planner) required for projects in Downtown Code area Review Authority (Planning Division/Commission) per Downtown Code § 17.040.110 (Downtown Code, Dev. Code 4.9.C)
HOO project review Administrative if standards met; Commission review if not Director (admin) / Planning Commission (discretionary) § 17.47.070

Checklist — what applicants must include for a design/site review submittal

  • Completed application and applicable filing fee (fee amounts set by City Council resolution; a fee is required) (§ 17.74.040) .
  • Construction plans and a plot/site plan showing proposed buildings and adjacent existing improvements plus finished grades/floor elevations extending 20 ft beyond the property (§ 17.74.050) .
  • Location map and list of owners within the noticing radius as required by Chapter 17.78 (public hearing/notice requirements) (§ 17.74.050, Chapter 17.78) .
  • Color & materials board where required: commercial projects submit an exterior color plan consistent with earth tones guidance (§ 17.22.105) .
  • For manufacturing sites, include screening/landscaping details and color plan per § 17.32.135 and § 17.32.150 .
  • For downtown projects, be prepared for external peer review (fees and scope set by the City) and to provide WQMP/landscape/lighting details per Downtown Code (Development Code 4.8E, 4.9C) § 17.040.110 .
  • If in hillside areas provide the detailed hill‑site/grading/retaining walls and landscape scheme called for in § 17.42.030; expect Planning Commission review and additional agency comments (§ 17.42.040–050) .
  • Confirm whether the proposal is subject to PD conditions or other overlays (e.g., HOO) and whether the PD precise plan modifies normal standards (§ 17.38.070) . See overlay mapping. /us/california/montebello/overlay-districts

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue Why it matters What to verify
ADUs and small additions — are they subject to site plan review? Site plan review threshold is three or more dwelling units; ADUs are typically 1 unit and so may escape the site-plan threshold, but other standards could still trigger review. Montebello ADU rules and any local exceptions — Not found in retrieved materials for ADU design-review specifics; verify with Planning Division and § 17.74.030 if multiple units result. /us/california/montebello/adu
Exact procedures & fees for Design Review Board hearings Many review steps require fees “established by resolution” or “fees set by Review Authority” but the code does not list fee schedules. Confirm current fee schedule and hearing procedures with the Planning Division (fees referenced in § 17.74.040; Downtown peer review fees referenced in Development Code 4.9.C)
DRB composition and meeting cadence Who sits on the Design Review Board, how often it meets, and its specific procedural rules are not printed in the grabbed sections. Not found in retrieved materials — verify DRB bylaws/municipal code provisions or obtain staff handout from Planning Division.
Downtown peer review scope & timing Downtown Code requires external peer review but does not state exact turn‑around or how peer comments are incorporated. Verify peer‑review fees and timeline with the Downtown Code review authority (Development Code 4.9.C and § 17.040.110)
Appeals timing for color/design decisions Commercial color appeals to City Council are time-limited in places (e.g., appeal within 14 days for certain DRB actions) but timing language varies by context. Check the specific subsection for the appeal timing that applies to your case (see § 17.22.105 for commercial color appeals)

Plain-English Summary

If you are building or changing the exterior of a property in Montebello, the city uses a mix of written standards (colors, materials, setbacks) and discretionary reviews (site plan, civic center, hillside, PD, downtown peer review). Small home projects usually avoid a full site-plan hearing, but anything that creates three or more units or builds 5,000 sq ft+ of commercial space will go to a planning hearing, and visible changes in commercial/manufacturing areas (colors, facade) can be reviewed administratively and appealed to the Design Review Board (§ 17.74.030, § 17.22.105, § 17.32.135) .

Information Gaps (what I could not confirm in the retrieved materials)

  • The municipal code excerpts do not include the Design Review Board’s membership, meeting schedule, or detailed hearing procedures. Not found in retrieved materials.
  • Current fee schedules and exact peer-review fees are not printed in the provided excerpts; fees are referenced but set by Council resolution (verify with Planning). Not found in retrieved materials beyond fee authority (§ 17.74.040) .
  • Detailed ADU design-review rules (whether ADUs trigger any local design-review beyond state ADU constraints) are not present in these snippets. Not found in retrieved materials; verify with the jurisdiction.
  • Any administrative checklists or submittal packet templates used by Planning staff were not in the uploaded materials. Not found in retrieved materials.

Source References

  • Montebello Municipal Code, Chapter 17.74 (Site Plan Review): § 17.74.010 – § 17.74.140 (purpose, thresholds, application contents, findings, appeal/expiration) .
  • Montebello Municipal Code, Civic Center District review: § 17.40.040 – § 17.40.050, § 17.40.080 (civic center review requirements and Council authority) .
  • Montebello Municipal Code, Commercial zone development standards: § 17.22.080 (setbacks exhibit), § 17.22.090 (landscaping), § 17.22.100 (materials), § 17.22.105 (Exterior color standards and review/appeal process) .
  • Montebello Municipal Code, Manufacturing zone color & material standards: § 17.32.135 (color standards and review/appeal process); related manufacturing limitations § 17.32.150 (outdoor uses/screening) .
  • Montebello Municipal Code, Planned Development (PD) and precise plan requirements and design review note: § 17.38.050 – § 17.38.070 (PD findings and design review cross‑references to § 17.22.105) .
  • Montebello Downtown Specific Plan / Downtown Code (Title 17, Chapter 17.040.110): Downtown design standards, review authority and external peer review (Development Code 4.9.C and related sections) .
  • HOO overlay (Housing Opportunity Overlay) project review: § 17.47.070 (administrative vs Planning Commission review) .
  • For appeals, notices and hearing procedures referenced above see Chapter 17.78 (public hearings, notices and appeals) and the site-plan appeal provisions within § 17.74.120 – § 17.74.140 .

Related Montebello reference pages (internal links):

  • Montebello Zoning (/us/california/montebello/zoning) — first natural mention of "design review" links here.
  • Montebello Development Standards (/us/california/montebello/development-standards) — first mention of "development standards" link.
  • Montebello Parking (/us/california/montebello/parking) — first mention of "parking" link.
  • Montebello Overlay Districts (/us/california/montebello/overlay-districts) — first mention of "overlays" link.
  • Montebello ADUs (/us/california/montebello/adu) — first mention of "ADUs" link.
  • California Building Standards Code (/us/california/building-codes) — first mention of "California Building Standards Code / Title 24" link.
  • Montebello Landscaping and Screening (/us/california/montebello/landscaping-and-screening) — first mention of "landscaping" link.

Sources

Retrieved passages

  • Montebello Zoning Code (§ 6) High relevance
  • Montebello Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance
  • Montebello Zoning Code (§ 6) Medium relevance
  • Montebello Zoning Code (Section 17.70.030) Medium relevance
  • Montebello Zoning Code (§ 6) Medium relevance
  • Montebello Zoning Code (Chapter 17.78) Medium relevance
  • Montebello Zoning Code (Chapter 17.74) Medium relevance
  • Montebello Zoning Code (Section 17.52.050.) Medium relevance
  • Montebello Zoning Code High relevance
  • Montebello Zoning Code (§ 2002) Medium relevance
  • Montebello Zoning Code (section outlines) Medium relevance
  • Montebello Zoning Code (section of) Medium relevance
  • Montebello Zoning Code Medium relevance
  • Montebello Zoning Code (section of) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Frequently asked questions

Do I always need design review in Montebello?

Not always. Montebello requires site plan review only for residential projects that result in three or more dwelling units and for commercial/industrial projects constructing 5,000 sq ft or more; smaller projects may still require administrative reviews (color, materials, landscaping) depending on the zone and overlay. Check § 17.74.030 and zone-specific sections (for commercial color § 17.22.105) .

What triggers a Planning Commission hearing for design/site review?

A Planning Commission hearing is triggered by a formal site plan review application where the project meets the thresholds in § 17.74.030 (three or more units or 5,000+ sq ft commercial/industrial), or when a project falls in a district that requires discretionary review such as civic center or certain PDs (§ 17.74.030, § 17.40.040, § 17.38.070) .

What findings must the Planning Commission make to approve a site plan review?

Before granting site plan review the Commission must find that the proposed design (A) complies with the Montebello Municipal Code, (B) is consistent with the General Plan, and (C) will not have any significant adverse impact on surrounding property or the public welfare (§ 17.74.070) .

Are there specific color standards for commercial and industrial buildings?

Yes — the commercial zone requires primary body colors in earth tones/neutral colors and limits neon colors; repainting and new color schemes are reviewed by the Planning Division and can be appealed to the Design Review Board (§ 17.22.105). The manufacturing zone has comparable color standards and review paths (§ 17.32.135) .

How does the Downtown Specific Plan change design review?

The Downtown Code (Title 17, § 17.040.110) uses a form‑based code focused on the public realm and requires external peer review (architect/urban designer/planner) for development applications to ensure architectural quality; the Review Authority establishes fees and procedures for that peer review (Downtown Dev. Code 4.9.C / § 17.040.110) .

If the Planning Division denies my color or material plan, can I appeal?

Yes. Administrative denials of exterior color plans in commercial or manufacturing zones can be appealed to the Design Review Board without fee for certain appeals; discretionary projects decided by the DRB can often be appealed to the City Council under the timelines specified in the relevant subsection (§ 17.22.105, § 17.32.135) .

Are hillside projects treated differently for design review?

Yes. Projects in designated hillside areas must submit a hillside plan with detailed grading, drainage, retaining wall, and landscape information and are reviewed by the Planning Commission (see required contents in § 17.42.030 and application/fee rules § 17.42.040–050) .

What is the role of the HOO overlay in design review?

The HOO overlay creates an alternative development path for housing sites: compliant projects receive administrative review by the Director; projects not meeting HOO standards go to the Planning Commission as a discretionary review (§ 17.47.070) .

Where are the formal notice and appeal procedures for Planning Commission actions?

Notice, hearing and appeal procedures are governed by Chapter 17.78 of the Municipal Code; site plan approvals include specific notice-of-decision and appeal standards in the site-plan chapter (see § 17.74.100, § 17.74.120) .

If I want to change the approved site-plan conditions later, what is the process?

Any modification of conditions attached to a site plan approval requires a public hearing in the same manner as the original approval and findings that the modification protects the public interest or allows reasonable development (§ 17.74.110) .

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