San Dimas — Design Review

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

San Dimas' design review process is the locally required city review of development and exterior changes, implemented through Chapter 18.12 of the municipal code and applied both citywide and within multiple Specific Plan areas. The process is administrative or discretionary depending on the project, requires submission of scaled plans and supporting materials, and rests on findings that the proposal fits applicable development standards and neighborhood character. See the city's zoning rules for how design review interacts with development standards, parking, overlays and other site controls.

How design review is organized in San Dimas (what the code says)

• The municipal code defines design review as the city review and approval process carried out under Chapter 18.12 (the development plan / plan review chapter) .
• Chapter 18.12 identifies the review authority (administrative staff, the Planning Commission, or City Council as required), basic completeness and procedural timelines, notice and appeal rules, and conditions for execution, extension, and expiration of approved plans .
• Numerous Specific Plans require that development and grading within their boundaries be reviewed under Chapter 18.12 and add area‑specific design guidelines and findings; examples include Specific Plan No. 8, No. 15, No. 24, No. 26, No. 5, and others (each has a plan‑review or "plan review and disposition" section) .

Note: the municipal code repeatedly directs applicants to Chapter 18.12 for the mechanics and findings of review; the specific plan chapters supply design guidance and sometimes stricter or supplemental standards that must also be met.

(First mention links: San Dimas zoning & planning overview — the local design review rules are part of the city's zoning framework.)

Chapter 18.12 — the local "design review" backbone (what to expect)

• Review authority and procedure: Table 18.12.050 in the code identifies who reviews what (administrative staff vs. Planning Commission), and Chapter 18.12 allows staff to perform preliminary reviews and impose conditions, and in some cases to approve minor reductions in setbacks where the title permits it .
• Completeness, timing, and appeals: The Director of Community Development determines completeness within 30 days; applicants must supply requested supplemental material within 90 days or risk withdrawal. Decisions become final in 14 days unless appealed; appeals follow Chapter 18.212 procedures .
• Findings: In order to approve a development plan, the review authority must find that the project is suitable for the intended use, arranged to avoid traffic and other adverse effects, and consistent with the General Plan and applicable zoning and ordinance provisions .

District-by-district breakdown (where design review shows up and what it means locally)

Below are San Dimas zones / specific-plan areas where the code expressly ties development to Chapter 18.12 design review. For each, I list the stated purpose, typical permitted uses (at a high level), and the key development / review points you must know.

A-P (Airport/Ag / A-P zone)

• Purpose: Agricultural/open area and site control prior to building; all building erection requires an approved site plan.
• Typical uses: Agricultural uses, limited related structures; anything beyond must follow Chapter 18.12.
• Key development standard/review note: “Before any building (or structure) is erected on any lot in an A‑P zone, a site plan shall have been submitted and approved in accordance with Chapter 18.12” — § 18.136.060 .
• Where it applies: A‑P parcels (see zoning map).

C‑G — Creative‑Growth Zone (downtown core)

• Purpose: Promote a special architectural theme ("early California village") and maintain cohesive downtown character.
• Typical uses: Mixed commercial, office, live/work, some residential (subject to area rules).
• Key development standard/review note: No exterior alterations or new construction are permitted until approved under Chapter 18.12; additional design findings require conformity with the theme (size, color, materials, site design) — § 18.140.040 and § 18.140.060 .
• Where it applies: Creative Growth plan area (see § 18.140 exhibit and map).

Specific Plan No. 8 (hillside / special neighborhood)

• Purpose: High‑quality hillside development with strict design, grading, and landscaping controls.
• Typical uses: Primarily residential (single‑family) with controlled lot layout and open space.
• Key development standard/review note: Development plans (plot/site plans, floor plans, grading plans, community fencing plan) must be submitted and are reviewed under Chapter 18.12; approving authority must make additional findings that the proposal maintains the plan’s character, minimizes visual impact, and harmonizes materials and style — § 18.512.240 (A–D) .
• Where it applies: The Specific Plan No. 8 area (see § 18.512 maps).

Specific Plan No. 15 (Via Verde / hillside)

• Purpose: Preserve hillside character, limit alteration of landforms, promote cohesive architectural design.
• Typical uses: Single‑family residential with hillside planning and landscape standards.
• Key development standard/review note: Architectural guidelines and site/landscape/grading rules support the Chapter 18.12 review; the plan explicitly requires development to comply with code and provides that minor modifications may be administratively approved — § 18.524.020 and § 18.524.330 .
• Where it applies: Specific Plan No. 15 area.

Specific Plan No. 24 / 26 / 5 / 17 / 12 / 22 (commercial, mixed‑use, and other project areas)

• Purpose: Each specific plan sets the area's development goals and specialized standards.
• Typical uses: Varies by plan — commercial, mixed‑use, service station, office, apartments, or controlled residential.
• Key development standard/review note: All these Specific Plans require that development plans be submitted for review under Chapter 18.12 and often include plan‑level findings (e.g., preservation of character, pedestrian/vehicular circulation, landscaping, undergrounding utilities); some allow the Director to grant minor modifications if consistent with intent — e.g., § 18.540.040 (Specific Plan No. 24), § 18.544.800 (Specific Plan No. 26), § 18.506.040 (Specific Plan No. 5), § 18.528.020/070 (Specific Plan No. 17) .
• Where it applies: See the individual specific plan chapters and exhibits in Title 18.

Scenic Highway Overlay — SHO

• Purpose: Protect views along designated scenic corridors; overlay modifies setbacks, landscaping, utility location and design priorities.
• Typical uses: Uses allowed in the underlying zone, but subject to SHO yard/landscaping/setback rules.
• Key development standard/review note: Additional required yards/setbacks, landscaping and underground utilities apply and are evaluated during site/plan review — § 18.108.030–040 .
• Where it applies: Properties adjacent to designated scenic highways (map on official zoning map).

Affordable Housing Overlay — AHO

• Purpose: Facilitate higher density housing in targeted areas with overlay standards; the overlay is appended to base zoning (e.g., C‑H (AHO‑1)).
• Key development/review note: New higher density residential must meet MF‑30 standards and follow review criteria in Chapter 18.44 and Chapter 18.12 for plan review and disposition — § 18.40.040–050 .

(When a specific plan or overlay exists, its chapter language controls review details and findings in addition to Chapter 18.12; always check the applicable specific plan chapter cited above.)

Quick code‑facts table — most decision‑relevant rules

Checklist — what an applicant must supply or satisfy (code‑driven)

• Prepare and submit a complete development plan application per Chapter 18.12, including required fees and forms (see § 18.12.070 for completeness timing) .
• Include a scaled site/plot plan, architectural floor plans and elevations, grading plan(s) and landscape/fencing plan where the specific plan or site requires them (examples: § 18.512.240 for Specific Plan No. 8; other specific plans list similar materials) .
• Demonstrate compliance with applicable development standards (setbacks, height, coverage, parking) in the base zone and any applicable Specific Plan or overlay — the review authority must find consistency with the zoning and General Plan .
• If in an overlay (e.g., SHO, AHO) follow overlay submittal and setback/landscaping/utility rules — check the overlay chapter for extra materials (e.g., § 18.108.040) .
• Anticipate conditions — the director or Planning Commission may impose mitigation/conditions to satisfy findings (see decision and execution procedures) .
• If you anticipate questions about parking counts or design, prepare parking calculations and layouts early (parking is a standard development consideration in plan review) — plan for compliance with Chapter 18.156 (parking rules) and project‑level parking requirements .
• Confirm whether a project is eligible for administrative approval or requires Commission review by consulting Table 18.12.050 and the specific plan chapter that governs your parcel .
• Verify CEQA needs: many specific plans mandate environmental review for project proposals (see respective specific plan chapters) .

First internal links used above: development standards, parking, overlay districts, landscaping and screening, ADUs, California Building Standards Code.

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English summary

If you propose new construction or exterior changes in San Dimas, expect to file a development plan under Chapter 18.12; small projects may be handled administratively by staff, while larger or special‑area projects go to the Planning Commission. Specific Plans and overlays often add extra submittal materials and findings, so you must follow both the base code and any specific‑plan chapter that applies to your parcel .

Source References

• § 18.12.050 — Review authority (development plan review process, staff vs commission)
• § 18.12.070 — Procedure; completeness and timelines for development plan applications
• § 18.12.090 — Issuance of permit; building permit linkage to approved development plan
• § 18.512.240 — Specific Plan No. 8: required plan contents and specific findings for approval
• § 18.524.330 / § 18.524.020 — Specific Plan No. 15 architectural guidelines and development standards
• § 18.540.040 — Specific Plan No. 24 general notes on review and compliance (and CEQA)
• § 18.544.800 / § 18.544.810 — Specific Plan No. 26 plan review requirements and minor modifications
• § 18.108.030–040 — Scenic Highway Overlay (setbacks, landscaping, underground utilities)
• § 18.136.060 — A‑P zone site plan approval required via Chapter 18.12
• Definitions including "Design review" (definition pointing to Chapter 18.12) — § 18.540.050 / definitional entries

(Related site topics referenced above — use these internal links for more on connected topics: San Dimas Zoning, San Dimas Parking, San Dimas Development Standards, San Dimas Overlay Districts, San Dimas Signage, San Dimas Landscaping and Screening, San Dimas ADUs, California Building Standards Code.)

Retrieved passages

• San Dimas Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• San Dimas Zoning Code (§ 795.9) High relevance show source text
• San Dimas Zoning Code (§ 18.512.240.) High relevance show source text
• San Dimas Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text
• San Dimas Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• San Dimas Zoning Code (§ 18.524.280.) Medium relevance show source text
• San Dimas Zoning Code (chapter which) Medium relevance show source text
• San Dimas Zoning Code (§ 18.526.150.) Medium relevance show source text
• San Dimas Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• San Dimas Zoning Code (§ 795.6) Medium relevance show source text
• San Dimas Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• CPC § 1 (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• San Dimas Zoning Code (§ 280.05) Medium relevance show source text
• San Dimas Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• **§ 18.12.050** — Review authority (development plan review process, staff vs commission) (§ 18.12.050)
• **§ 18.12.070** — Procedure; completeness and timelines for development plan applications (§ 18.12.070)
• **§ 18.12.090** — Issuance of permit; building permit linkage to approved development plan (§ 18.12.090)
• **§ 18.512.240** — Specific Plan No. 8: required plan contents and specific findings for approval (§ 18.512.240)
• **§ 18.524.330** / **§ 18.524.020** — Specific Plan No. 15 architectural guidelines and development standards (§ 18.524.330)
• **§ 18.540.040** — Specific Plan No. 24 general notes on review and compliance (and CEQA) (§ 18.540.040)
• **§ 18.544.800** / **§ 18.544.810** — Specific Plan No. 26 plan review requirements and minor modifications (§ 18.544.800)
• **§ 18.108.030–040** — Scenic Highway Overlay (setbacks, landscaping, underground utilities) (§ 18.108.030)
• **§ 18.136.060** — A‑P zone site plan approval required via Chapter **18.12** (§ 18.136.060)
• Definitions including **"Design review"** (definition pointing to Chapter **18.12**) — **§ 18.540.050** / definitional entries (§ 18.540.050)
• SanDimas_ZoningCode.md

• Official San Dimas code library