Perris — Design Review

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

Design review in Perris is conducted through the city's Development Plan Review and related design-guideline chapters in the Perris Zoning Code (Title 19). The code defines when development plans are required, what plans must include, who reviews them, and the findings needed for approval — with special rules for overlays like the Downtown Design Overlay (D) and for project types such as planned developments and industrial areas. See the city's zoning menu for background on how this fits into the wider permitting system: Perris Zoning. Key triggers, submittal items and approval authorities are in § 19.50.010–§ 19.50.080 and the processing matrix in § 19.54.030 .

Note: this page stays focused strictly on the Perris zoning/planning (Title 19) rules that create and govern design review (development plan review/architectural/site review). For building-code (Title 24) or construction permit steps, see the California rules: California Building Standards Code.

How the code frames "design review"

• Development plan review is mandatory before physical alteration, new construction, additions, new uses, signs, building permits or certificate-of-occupancy for projects that require it: § 19.50.020 .
• The review purpose explicitly includes architecture/site arrangement, parking, setbacks, lighting, landscaping and compatibility with surroundings: § 19.50.010 and the development plan review criteria and findings in § 19.50.050 and § 19.50.060 .
• The city provides specific design guidance for types of districts (e.g., industrial site and architectural design guidelines): § 19.44.080 .

District-by-district design-review focus (Perris-specific)

Note: each district subsection below highlights how design review is applied under Perris' Title 19. Bolded names and numbers are the city's actual designations and numeric standards where present.

R-6,000 Single-Family Residential (R-6,000)

• Purpose: accommodate detached single-family development at roughly six to eight units per acre; projects must follow the city Residential Design Guidelines. See CHAPTER 19.25 for intent and standards: § 19.25.010–§ 19.25.090 .
• Typical permitted uses: attached and detached one‑family dwellings, small family day care homes, certain residential care/supportive housing and manufactured homes as listed in § 19.25.020 .
• Key dimensional standards (excerpt): lot area 6,000 sq ft minimum, lot width 60 ft min, lot depth 100 ft min, building height 30 ft max, front yard: 20 ft, minimum rear yard: 20 ft, side yard: 5 ft per story; coverage: 60% (single-story) / 40% (two‑story) — see § 19.25.080 .
• Where design review applies: typical single‑family projects are subject to development plan rules when they meet the triggers in § 19.50.030; small residential additions or items deemed exempt are listed in § 19.50.040 (see Checklist below) .

Downtown Design Overlay (D overlay)

• Purpose: preserve and encourage compatible redevelopment, historic preservation and consistent architectural/site design in the Central Perris Redevelopment project area: § 19.40.010 .
• Typical permitted uses: uses allowed in underlying residential or commercial zones may be permitted if consistent with the central redevelopment plan; mixed-use allowed with limitations on residential share in commercial zones: § 19.40.040–§ 19.40.050 .
• Key design elements enforced via design review: building elevation, signage, landscaping, lighting, site orientation, parking and service-area screening; architecture must be compatible and, for historic structures, preserve character § 19.40.050(a–c) .
• Where applies: where the zoning map shows the letter D in combination with a nonresidential zone; geographic extent shown on the ordinance Exhibit A on file with the City Clerk: § 19.40.020–§ 19.40.030 .

Business Park / Light Industrial / General Industrial (industrial design guidelines)

• Purpose: ensure industrial development (business park, light and general industrial) follows site and architectural design principals that protect Perris' visual character and operations: see § 19.44.080 .
• Typical permitted uses: those listed for the applicable industrial zone (varies by zone); industrial chapters include performance standards for noise, lighting, paving and screening § 19.44.070–§ 19.44.080 .
• Key design standards enforced by review: transitions between uses, building massing, landscaping buffers, screening of service areas, lighting cut‑offs, location of parking and loading, and materials/colors consistent with guidelines § 19.44.080 .
• Where applies: industrially‑zoned parcels as mapped by the city; projects in these zones often require development plan review under § 19.50.030 because of intensity and potential impacts .

Planned Development Overlay (Planned Unit / PUD)

• Purpose: permit creative, coordinated multi‑lot development with modified standards to achieve superior site layouts; the overlay allows modifications to underlying standards when approved as a planned development: § 19.59.020–§ 19.59.050 .
• Typical permitted uses: uses permitted, accessory or conditional in the underlying zone; city may allow additional complementary uses when findings are met § 19.59.040 .
• Key design-review aspects: comprehensive development criteria, architectural standards, open space, circulation, parking, trash enclosures and public infrastructure; approvals require planning commission and city council findings § 19.59.050–§ 19.59.070 .
• Where applies: where a planned development overlay is applied by ordinance or planning action; see process and combined proceedings in § 19.59.060–§ 19.59.070 .

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior ADUs

• Review standard: ADUs/JADUs that meet the chapter’s development standards and the underlying zone are approved ministerially (no discretionary design review): § 19.81.040 .
• Applicable design constraints: ADUs still must conform to underlying zoning development standards (setbacks, height, lot coverage) except where the ADU chapter provides modifications (see § 19.81.060). For design intent, architectural compatibility with the primary dwelling is required § 19.81.060(4) .
• Where to check for exceptions: if an ADU cannot meet ministerial standards, discretionary review or minor adjustment procedures may be required — verify applicability with the City: Verify with the jurisdiction .

Quick reference table — decision‑relevant triggers & standards

(Also consult the city's Development Standards page for numeric setbacks, coverage and parking ratios used in the design review evaluation: Perris Development Standards. Parking details referenced under Chapter 19.69: Perris Parking.)

Checklist — what an applicant must provide (development-plan completeness)

• Complete application form and fees (check with City) and pre‑application meeting recommended per § 19.59.060(a) .
• Scaled site plan (one inch = 30 feet preferred) showing parcel, parcel dimensions, building footprints, driveways, on- and off-street parking, internal circulation, loading/service areas, trash enclosure, utilities and easements § 19.50.060(1)(a–j) .
• Colored architectural elevations, materials/colors board and roof profiles; show architectural compatibility with surrounding structures § 19.50.060(2)(b) and the architecture criteria in relevant district chapters (e.g., § 19.40.050 for downtown) .
• Landscape plan prepared by a qualified landscape architect showing species, quantities and irrigation design, meeting § 19.02.130 and local landscaping standards (see city landscaping chapter) — see § 19.50.060(2)(c) .
• Parking schedule and calculations referencing Chapter 19.69 (parking ratios) and drive aisle geometry — design review evaluates parking layout per § 19.50.060(1)(c) .
• Lighting plan showing cut‑off fixtures and no off-site glare § 19.50.050(4) and § 19.44.070(a) .
• Trash enclosure details sized and designed per code (enclosure walls matching building materials, concrete apron) § 19.59.050(e)(2) .
• Evidence utilities will be undergrounded or a plan addressing exceptions (the code prefers underground utilities; see development plan criteria) § 19.50.050(3) .
• Noise, vibration or other technical studies if project generates evening noise or activities affecting adjacent uses (industrial and mixed‑use triggers) § 19.44.070(b) .
• For overlays or specific plans, demonstrate compliance with overlay design standards (e.g., Downtown Design Overlay § 19.40.050) .
• Address required findings in project narrative to show consistency with General Plan, site suitability and compatibility § 19.50.050(a–e) .

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

If your project changes a building footprint, adds a new use, adds parking, alters site circulation, or constructs new buildings in Perris, the city’s Development Plan Review rules often require you to file design-level plans (site plan, elevations, landscaping, lighting, parking) so planners can confirm the project meets the General Plan, zone standards and design guidelines; the triggers, submittal checklist and approval authority are spelled out in the Perris Zoning Code (Title 19) § 19.50.010–§ 19.50.080 and the processing matrix § 19.54.030 .

Source References

• Perris Zoning Code (Title 19), Development Plan purpose and requirement: § 19.50.010–§ 19.50.020
• Development plan types and definition: § 19.50.030
• Development plan exemptions and administrative items: § 19.50.040
• Authority/action and findings for development plan review: § 19.50.050
• Submittal requirements and plan lists: § 19.50.060
• Review authority and processing matrix (Director / Commission / Council): § 19.54.030
• Minor adjustments (administrative deviations up to 25%): § 19.54.020
• Downtown Design Overlay (purpose, location, architecture rules): § 19.40.010–§ 19.40.050
• Industrial site & architectural design guidelines: § 19.44.080
• Planned Development overlay criteria and findings: § 19.59.050–§ 19.59.070
• R-6,000 single-family district standards and design criteria: CHAPTER 19.25 (e.g., § 19.25.080–§ 19.25.090)
• ADU ministerial review and standards: CHAPTER 19.81 § 19.81.040–§ 19.81.060
• For project numeric standards, parking ratios and other technical rules see: Perris Development Standards and Perris Parking.
• For landscaping and screening specifics consult: Perris Landscaping and Screening.

Retrieved passages

• Perris Zoning Code (Chapter 13.04.) Medium relevance show source text
• Perris Zoning Code (§ 19.86.080) Medium relevance show source text
• Perris Zoning Code (§ 19.38.100) Medium relevance show source text
• Perris Zoning Code (section 19.02.130.) Medium relevance show source text
• CFC § 4 (chapter and) Medium relevance show source text
• Perris Zoning Code (Chapter 13.04.) Medium relevance show source text
• Perris Zoning Code (§ 19.50.040) Medium relevance show source text
• Perris Zoning Code (§ 4) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Perris Zoning Code (Title 19), Development Plan purpose and requirement: **§ 19.50.010–§ 19.50.020** (Title 19)
• Development plan types and definition: **§ 19.50.030** (§ 19.50.030)
• Development plan exemptions and administrative items: **§ 19.50.040** (§ 19.50.040)
• Authority/action and findings for development plan review: **§ 19.50.050** (§ 19.50.050)
• Submittal requirements and plan lists: **§ 19.50.060** (§ 19.50.060)
• Review authority and processing matrix (Director / Commission / Council): **§ 19.54.030** (§ 19.54.030)
• Minor adjustments (administrative deviations up to 25%): **§ 19.54.020** (§ 19.54.020)
• Downtown Design Overlay (purpose, location, architecture rules): **§ 19.40.010–§ 19.40.050** (§ 19.40.010)
• Industrial site & architectural design guidelines: **§ 19.44.080** (§ 19.44.080)
• Planned Development overlay criteria and findings: **§ 19.59.050–§ 19.59.070** (§ 19.59.050)
• R-6,000 single-family district standards and design criteria: CHAPTER 19.25 (e.g., **§ 19.25.080–§ 19.25.090**) (CHAPTER 19.25)
• ADU ministerial review and standards: CHAPTER 19.81 **§ 19.81.040–§ 19.81.060** (CHAPTER 19.81)
• For project numeric standards, parking ratios and other technical rules see: Perris Development Standards and Perris Parking.
• For landscaping and screening specifics consult: Perris Landscaping and Screening.
• Perris_ZoningCode.md

• Official Perris code library