Salinas — Design Review

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

Salinas' review system treats architectural and site-level review as part of the city's development-review framework (site plan review, conditional use/administrative permits, and planned unit development). The primary administrative rules for design- and site-level review live in Article VI (Administration) and the base-district development tables and design standards; applicants should expect review by the city planner, planning commission, or city council depending on the application type. Key process rules are found in § 37-60.020, § 37-60.220, and § 37-60.030.

(If you want the one‑page municipal overview before reading the specifics, see the Salinas zoning & planning overview.)

How Salinas organizes "design review"

• Site- and architectural-level review in Salinas is implemented primarily through Site Plan Review (administrative) and through application types that require public hearings (conditional use permits, planned unit developments). See § 37-60.220–§ 37-60.240 for the purpose and applicability of site plan review; the city planner has authority to approve administratively unless the table of application types assigns a different body.
• Table 37-60.10 (Type of review procedures) shows which review body hears residential design reviews (listed under conditional use/administrative permits in the table). See § 37-60.020.
• Design guidelines (material/color/scale/landscaping/vehicle & pedestrian circulation) are included in the district design standards and the supplemental design standards (Article V), which are applied through site plan review or conditional use findings where applicable. See, for example, the design standards and parking/landscaping rules at § 37-30.220, § 37-50.520, and § 37-50.700.

Important internal links used in this page (first natural mention of each): the citywide overview link above, design-review procedure references in the zoning pages, the city's guidance on parking, development standards, overlay districts, ADUs, landscaping/screening, and Title 24:

• design review references in the Salinas Zoning pages (/us/california/salinas/zoning)
• parking (/us/california/salinas/parking)
• development standards (/us/california/salinas/development-standards)
• overlay districts (/us/california/salinas/overlay-districts)
• ADUs (/us/california/salinas/adu)
• landscaping and screening (/us/california/salinas/landscaping-and-screening)
• California Building Standards Code (/us/california/building-codes)

District-by-district (Salinas-specific) — where design review and standards actually apply

Below are the common base districts from the Salinas Zoning Code that most often trigger design-level review; for each district I name the purpose, typical uses that will trigger design review, key dimensional standards shown in the code tables, and where to look to apply the standards. All district data below come from the Zoning Code development tables and design standards.

Residential Low Density — R-L

• Purpose: neighborhood residential (detached single-family) with standards protecting neighborhood scale. See Table 37-30.40 and its introduction.
• Typical permitted uses: single‑family detached dwellings and accessory structures; some home occupations per district rules. See § 37-30.070 (Table 37-30.40).
• Key dimensional standards (decision-relevant): minimum lot size 5,500 sq.ft., front setback 20 ft., side interior 5 ft., rear 10 ft., maximum height 30 ft.; landscaping and parking standards apply per Article V. See § 37-30.070 and Article V.
• When design review applies: additions/new dwellings undergoing new construction or that change site layout require site plan review per § 37-60.230. If the proposal requires a conditional use or variance, it may escalate to a hearing body per Table 37-60.10.

Residential Medium Density — R-M (notably R-M-3.6 and R-M-2.9)

• Purpose: mid‑density housing (duplexes, small multi‑unit). See Table 37-30.60 and § 37-30.120.
• Typical permitted uses: multi-family units, townhomes, accessory structures.
• Key dimensional standards: lot sizes 3,600 sq.ft. (R-M‑3.6) or 5,800 sq.ft. (R‑M‑2.9), front setbacks 15 ft., heights 30–35 ft., usable open space standards vary (500–800 sq.ft. per unit in some subdistricts). See § 37-30.120.
• When design review applies: new multi‑unit projects and conversions will require site plan review and typically a parking plan and landscape plan (Article V). Projects that request density modifications or CUPs will follow the conditional use/planning commission path per Table 37-60.10.

Residential High Density — R-H

• Purpose: higher-density multi‑family development. See base district tables referenced by § 37-30. series.
• Typical uses: larger apartment buildings; mixed‑use forms in appropriate overlays.
• Key standards: variable; consult the R‑H table (uses/yard/height/FAR) in Article III. Where applicable, usable open space, parking and landscape standards from Article V apply. See relevant R‑H table citations in Article III.

Commercial / Mixed-Use — C, MU, MX, CO, CR

• Purpose: retail, services, office, and mixed residential/retail; downtown and core areas have special design rules. See Table references in Article III and downtown design standards in § 37-40.330.
• Typical uses: storefront retail, restaurants, offices, mixed‑use residential above retail.
• Key dimensional standards: many downtown/mixed‑use projects are allowed reduced setbacks (sometimes 0–10 ft. front), higher FAR allowances for mixed use, and ground‑floor commercial requirements in the downtown core. See Table 37-40.xx and § 37-40.330 for downtown/core design standards.
• When design review applies: façade changes, new construction, and site improvements in the central city overlay/downtown core are subject to the central city design standards and site plan review; adaptive reuse or changes to historic buildings may require Historic Resources Board review. See § 37-40.330 and Article XI (Historic Resources Board).

Industrial / Business Parks — IG, IGC, IBP

• Purpose: industrial, general industrial/commercial, business park uses. See Article III district tables.
• Typical uses: manufacturing, warehousing, research or office/industrial park buildings; some accessory commercial where allowed.
• Key standards: landscaping exceptions are available in IGC for non‑visible areas; loading areas and screening standards are strict (see § 37-50.500 and related parking/loading sections).
• When design review applies: site plan review is used to confirm parking, loading, screening, and circulation comply with the code. See § 37-60.230 and the parking/loading sections of Article V.

Public / Semi‑public — P, Public Service PS, Open Space OS

• Purpose: government, public facilities, parks, and airport‑adjacent public uses. See Table 37‑30.180 and § 37-30.400.
• Typical uses: schools, utilities, parks, airport support in PS (airport protocols may disallow residential).
• Key standards: many development parameters in PS are "pursuant to the SPR or CUP" meaning site plan review / CUP establishes the standards for the project. See § 37-30.400 and Table 37-30.180.

How the process actually works (practical synthesis)

• Determine which application type applies via Table 37-60.10: many façade/architectural/site changes are handled as Site Plan Review (SPR) (city planner; administrative) but others escalate to an administrative or non‑administrative conditional use permit or planning commission hearing. See § 37-60.020 and Table 37-60.10.
• SPR purpose and scope: SPR is the streamlined administrative check to confirm compliance with zoning and design standards for new permitted structures, additions, and site improvements; the city planner can approve or approve‑with‑conditions and the decision is administrative unless an appeal is filed. See § 37-60.220, § 37-60.230, § 37-60.270, § 37-60.310.
• Findings and conditions: planning bodies (city planner, planning commission, city council) must make the required findings listed in the code when approving discretionary permits; see § 37-60.520 (required findings referenced throughout), and the planned-unit and CUP-specific findings where applicable. Not every design criterion is discretionary—many are measurable (setbacks, parking, landscaping) and enforced via SPR.
• Modifications after approval: minor modifications (color, materials, small landscape/parking shifts) can be handled by the city planner under § 37-60.1250; major changes must return to the original review process (§ 37-60.1260).

Quick decision‑relevant table

Checklist — what an applicant must provide for a typical design review / SPR submittal

• Completed application to Community Planning & Development (per Division 2 application procedures). § 37-60.260.
• Project plans showing building footprint, elevations, materials, colors, and roof forms tied to district design standards (refer to the applicable district table such as § 37-30.070 for R-L or § 37-30.120 for R-M).
• Site plan showing parking layout, loading, circulation, and landscape plan (parking and landscape requirements are reviewed under Article V). § 37-50.510 / § 37-50.700.
• Evidence of conformance with overlay district rules where applicable (e.g., central city overlay, airport overlay) — see § 37-40.330 / overlay provisions.
• If the project is in or affects a historic building, documentation demonstrating compliance with the Secretary of the Interior Standards and Historic Resources Board procedures (Article XI) where required. Noted in downtown/citywide design standards.
• CEQA information as required by the city planner (environmental review). § 37-60.050 (environmental review) referenced in Division 1.
• Payment of fees and any required dedications/assurances (e.g., avigation easements in airport area per § 37-40.450).

Note: accessory dwelling units (ADUs) trigger specific ADU rules; check Salinas ADU rules and California ADU law early in design planning. (See the city's ADU guidance link above and California ADU law.)

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English summary

If you are building or changing the outside of a house, apartment, store, or industrial building in Salinas, the city will check the site and design through Site Plan Review or a hearing permit: make sure your plans show setbacks, parking, landscaping, materials/colors, and any overlay or historic rules; the city planner first reviews most design items and can approve or require changes — larger or contested projects go to the planning commission or city council. See § 37-60.220, § 37-60.230, § 37-60.030.

Source References

• Salinas Zoning Code, Article VI (Administration): Division on review types and site plan review: § 37-60.020, § 37-60.220, § 37-60.230, § 37-60.240, § 37-60.260, § 37-60.270, § 37-60.280.
• Table 37-60.10 and review-body assignment: § 37-60.020 (Table 37-60.10).
• Review bodies and authority: § 37-60.030.
• Modification and appeals procedures: § 37-60.1250, § 37-60.1260, § 37-60.1270.
• District development tables: Residential Low Density Table (R-L) and § 37-30.070; Residential Medium Density Table (R-M) § 37-30.120; other district tables in Article III (see Table references).
• Downtown / central city design standards and overlay rules: § 37-40.330 and related overlay provisions.
• Parking and parking-plan requirements: § 37-50.510, § 37-50.520 (Parking design standards).
• Landscaping and irrigation standards: § 37-50.690, § 37-50.700, Table 37-50.190.
• Site plan review phasing rules (existing sites): § 37-60.290.
• Airport overlay development review and avigation easement requirement: § 37-40.420–§ 37-40.450.

Retrieved passages

• Salinas Zoning Code (Article III) High relevance show source text
• Salinas Zoning Code (Article 8) Medium relevance show source text
• Salinas Zoning Code (Section 37-60.1330) Medium relevance show source text
• CBC § 8762 (Section 8762) Medium relevance show source text
• Salinas Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text
• Salinas Zoning Code (Section 51.3.) Medium relevance show source text
• Salinas Zoning Code (Article VI.) Medium relevance show source text
• Salinas Zoning Code (Section 37-50.060) Medium relevance show source text
• Salinas Zoning Code (Section 37-50.460) Medium relevance show source text
• Salinas Zoning Code (Article VI.) Medium relevance show source text
• Salinas Zoning Code (Section 37-) Medium relevance show source text
• Salinas Zoning Code (Chapter 4) Medium relevance show source text
• Salinas Zoning Code (Section 37-50.170) Medium relevance show source text
• Salinas Zoning Code (Section 37-30.070) Medium relevance show source text
• Salinas Zoning Code (section for) Medium relevance show source text
• Salinas Zoning Code (Section 37-60.1250) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Salinas Zoning Code, Article VI (Administration): Division on review types and site plan review: **§ 37-60.020**, **§ 37-60.220**, **§ 37-60.230**, **§ 37-60.240**, **§ 37-60.260**, **§ 37-60.270**, **§ 37-60.280**. (Article VI)
• Table 37-60.10 and review-body assignment: **§ 37-60.020** (Table 37-60.10). (§ 37-60.020)
• Review bodies and authority: **§ 37-60.030**. (§ 37-60.030)
• Modification and appeals procedures: **§ 37-60.1250**, **§ 37-60.1260**, **§ 37-60.1270**. (§ 37-60.1250)
• District development tables: Residential Low Density Table (R-L) and **§ 37-30.070**; Residential Medium Density Table (R-M) **§ 37-30.120**; other district tables in Article III (see Table references). (§ 37-30.070)
• Downtown / central city design standards and overlay rules: **§ 37-40.330** and related overlay provisions. (§ 37-40.330)
• Parking and parking-plan requirements: **§ 37-50.510**, **§ 37-50.520** (Parking design standards). (§ 37-50.510)
• Landscaping and irrigation standards: **§ 37-50.690**, **§ 37-50.700**, Table 37-50.190. (§ 37-50.690)
• Site plan review phasing rules (existing sites): **§ 37-60.290**. (§ 37-60.290)
• Airport overlay development review and avigation easement requirement: **§ 37-40.420**–**§ 37-40.450**. (§ 37-40.420)
• Salinas_ZoningCode.md

• Official Salinas code library