San Jacinto — Design Review

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

San Jacinto requires a formal site plan and design review for most new construction, significant exterior modifications, and many redevelopment projects to ensure compatibility, circulation, landscaping, and high‑quality design. The rules and process live in Chapter 17.630 (Site Plan and Design Review) of the Development Code; key thresholds and review authorities are summarized below. See the city's zoning menu for more on design review, development standards, and related rules for parking, overlay districts, ADUs, the California Building Standards Code, signage and landscaping.

What the code requires (core rules)

• A Site Plan and Design Review is generally required before anyone constructs, relocates, rebuilds, or significantly enlarges or modifies a structure or site; see § 17.630.020 .
• The Building Official must refer building or grading permit applications subject to design review to the Director for processing in compliance with § 17.630.020.B .
• Thresholds determine who decides (Director vs. Planning Commission) and what triggers Commission hearings; these thresholds and the Table 6‑2 review matrix are in § 17.630.030 and Table 6‑2 (Review Authority) .
• The Director or Commission must act within 30 working days after submittal of a complete application (timing set out in § 17.630.050 and related processing rules) .
• The review considers explicit findings including compliance with the Development Code, compatibility, parking/circulation, landscaping and any adopted design guidelines; see the review criteria in § 17.630.040.C.5‑j .

Practical takeaway: projects that materially change form, size, height, or site layout normally must clear design review before building permits.

District‑by‑district breakdown (how design review interfaces with specific zones)

Below are San Jacinto zoning districts where design review expectations and zone standards are frequently relevant. The city’s Table 2‑1 lists these zones in Article 2 (Zones) § 17.200.020 .

RE — Residential Estate

• Purpose: Very‑low‑density residential (large lots, preserve rural/estate character) § 17.200.020 .
• Typical permitted uses: Estate single‑family dwellings, accessory structures, limited agricultural uses (see Table 2‑2 for full list) § 17.200.020 .
• Design review notes: Fences, walls and larger accessory structures are subject to the general fence/wall standards and may require Director review; see § 17.315.020 and Table 3‑4 (fence heights) .
• Where it applies: Outlying estate neighborhoods shown on the Zoning Map per § 17.200.030 .

RR — Rural Residential

• Purpose: Low‑intensity residential with some rural/agrarian character § 17.200.020 .
• Typical permitted uses: Single‑family dwellings, accessory agricultural uses; the -RAAB overlay may add cottage business allowances § 17.235.030 .
• Design review notes: Projects in RR are subject to site plan and design review when they alter structures (Chapter 17.630) and fence/wall rules are specialized for RE/RR in Table 3‑4 (4 ft front yard limit) .
• Where it applies: Low‑density neighborhoods and edge areas identified on the Zoning Map § 17.200.020 .

RL — Residential, Low‑Density

• Purpose: Typical single‑family neighborhood zone implementing low‑density General Plan land uses § 17.200.020 .
• Typical permitted uses: Single‑family dwellings (R‑1 style), accessory structures; specific use table (Table 2‑2) shows permit types.
• Key standards and design integration: Lot coverage and setbacks follow Table 2‑4 (Development Standards for Residential Zones) and Residential Development Design Regulations apply (rating system, point thresholds) in § 17.425.020; small single‑family infill on a legal parcel is exempt from SPDR, see exemptions list § 17.630.030.D.1 . Parking is evaluated under Chapter 17.330 during review § 17.425.020.D.6 .
• Where it applies: Standard suburban neighborhoods per the Zoning Map § 17.200.030 .

MU — Mixed‑Use

• Purpose: Combine residential and nonresidential uses with pedestrian orientation; design standards emphasize integration § 17.227.020 and mixed‑use descriptions in Article 2 .
• Typical permitted uses: Vertical/horizontal mixed uses, plazas, retail, housing (densities specified below) § 17.227.020 .
• Dimensional standards (examples): Residential densities 10.1–36 du/acre; nonresidential FAR up to 0.75 for MU (see MU definitions) § 17.227.020 .
• Design review notes: All construction activities in MU require site plan and design review and water‑efficient landscape review § 17.227.020.D .

MU‑E — Mixed‑Use Entertainment

• Purpose: High‑density residential combined with retail/entertainment; design emphasis on activation and public spaces § 17.227.020 .
• Dimensional standards: Densities 10.1–36 du/acre; nonresidential FAR up to 1.0 § 17.227.020 .
• Design review notes: All construction activities must pass Chapter 17.630 review; higher design scrutiny expected for entertainment/retail frontages § 17.227.020.D .

DV — Downtown Village

• Purpose: Pedestrian‑oriented downtown core with mixed commercial/residential uses; extra downtown design standards apply § 17.227.020 .
• Dimensional standards: Residential densities 10.1–40 du/acre; FAR up to 2.0 for DV § 17.227.020 .
• Design review notes: Downtown projects are subject to additional development and design standards and are processed through Chapter 17.630 and any specific downtown standards; pedestrian orientation, entries, and façade treatments are considered during review § 17.427.010‑030 and § 17.630 .

CN — Commercial Neighborhood

• Purpose: Neighborhood‑serving retail and services integrated with adjacent residential areas § 17.200.020 (Table 2‑1) .
• Typical permitted uses: Small retail, services, offices (see Table 2‑2 for specific permit types) § 17.200.020 .
• Design review notes: Shopping centers and retail developments abutting residential zones have additional setback, wall/screening, and landscape standards and must file a site plan and design review § 17.415.030 and § 17.415.040 .

Key decision‑relevant standards (quick reference table)

Process & practical guidance

1. Pre‑application: meet the Planning Department and confirm applicable zone, overlays (e.g., -RAAB, -6HE) and whether the project is exempt; see overlay rules § 17.235.030‑040 .
2. Submittal: file a complete Site Plan & Design Review application per Chapter 17.600 with the materials in the Department handout and fee (the handout/fee schedule is maintained by the City) § 17.630.040.A .
3. Review: Director reviews and may decide or refer to the Commission; public hearing is only required when the Commission is making the decision § 17.630.040.D .
4. Conditions & appeals: approvals may include conditions; decisions may be appealed under Chapter 17.715 § 17.630.040.E .
5. Building permits: no building or grading permits are issued until the Site Plan & Design Review approval is final, per § 17.630.020 .

Practical tips for applicants: supply a robust landscape plan (Chapter 17.325), address parking per Chapter 17.330, and reference any applicable design guidelines early — the review authority will check consistency with adopted guidelines § 17.630.040.C.5‑j .

Checklist

• Submit a complete Site Plan & Design Review application per Chapter 17.600 and the Department handout § 17.630.040.A
• Provide scaled site plans, elevations, materials/finishes, and a landscape plan meeting Chapter 17.325 § 17.325
• Show parking layout consistent with Chapter 17.330 § 17.425.020.D.6
• Demonstrate compliance with zone development standards (setbacks, lot coverage, FAR, height) in Article 2 Tables (e.g., Table 2‑4) § 17.200.020 & Table references
• If applying for multi‑unit or large nonresidential work, confirm whether Commission review is required per Table 6‑2 § 17.630.030
• Pay required fees (Planning Fee Schedule on file with City) § 17.630.040.A
• Expect possible on‑site inspection and requests for additional materials within 30 days to avoid disapproval § 17.630.040.C.3‑4

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English summary

If you propose significant changes to a site or building in San Jacinto — new commercial buildings, multi‑unit housing, most façade changes, or anything that enlarges a structure substantially — you will almost always need a Site Plan & Design Review approval before the city issues building permits; the Director handles smaller projects and the Planning Commission hears larger ones and appeals, per the thresholds in § 17.630.020‑050 and Table 6‑2 § 17.630.030 .

Source References

• Chapter 17.630, Site Plan and Design Review: § 17.630.010‒050 (purpose, applicability, review authority, procedures, findings, timelines)
• Table 6‑2 (Review Authority for Site Plan and Design Review) and thresholds: § 17.630.030 and Table 6‑2
• Application filing and processing details: § 17.630.040 (application materials, completeness, concurrent reviews)
• Residential Development Design Regulations (scoring, thresholds, evaluation): § 17.425.020 and related forms/tables (points requirement)
• Zones list (RE, RR, RL, MU, MU‑E, DV, CN) and Table 2‑1: § 17.200.020 and Zoning Map adoption § 17.200.030
• Mixed‑use zone descriptions and MU/MU‑E/DV density/FAR notes: Article on Mixed‑Use § 17.227.020
• Shopping center/commercial adjacency standards and required SPDR for certain centers: § 17.415.030‑040
• Fence/wall standards and front‑yard limits: Table 3‑4 and § 17.315.020 (fences, walls, hedges)
• Historic resource review procedures and when Commission SPDR applies: Chapter 17.510

Retrieved passages

• San Jacinto Zoning Code (§ 17.630.030.) High relevance show source text
• San Jacinto Zoning Code (chapter and) High relevance show source text
• San Jacinto Zoning Code (§ 17.420.040.) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 17.510.070 (§ 17.510.070.) High relevance show source text
• San Jacinto Zoning Code (Chapter 17.427.) High relevance show source text
• San Jacinto Zoning Code (§ 17.630.040.) High relevance show source text
• San Jacinto Zoning Code (§ 17.630.040.) Medium relevance show source text
• San Jacinto Zoning Code (§ 17.425.020.) Medium relevance show source text
• San Jacinto Zoning Code (§ 17.620.060.) Medium relevance show source text
• San Jacinto Zoning Code (§ 17.620.020.) Medium relevance show source text
• CFC § 300.080 Medium relevance show source text
• San Jacinto Zoning Code (section and) Medium relevance show source text
• San Jacinto Zoning Code (section of) Medium relevance show source text
• San Jacinto Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Chapter **17.630**, Site Plan and Design Review: **§ 17.630.010‒050** (purpose, applicability, review authority, procedures, findings, timelines) fileciteturn0file9 (§ 17.630.010)
• Table 6‑2 (Review Authority for Site Plan and Design Review) and thresholds: **§ 17.630.030** and Table 6‑2 (§ 17.630.030)
• Application filing and processing details: **§ 17.630.040** (application materials, completeness, concurrent reviews) (§ 17.630.040)
• Residential Development Design Regulations (scoring, thresholds, evaluation): **§ 17.425.020** and related forms/tables (points requirement) fileciteturn1file1 (§ 17.425.020)
• Zones list (RE, RR, RL, MU, MU‑E, DV, CN) and Table 2‑1: **§ 17.200.020** and Zoning Map adoption **§ 17.200.030** fileciteturn1file12 (§ 17.200.020)
• Mixed‑use zone descriptions and MU/MU‑E/DV density/FAR notes: Article on Mixed‑Use **§ 17.227.020** (Article on)
• Shopping center/commercial adjacency standards and required SPDR for certain centers: **§ 17.415.030‑040** (§ 17.415.030)
• Fence/wall standards and front‑yard limits: Table 3‑4 and **§ 17.315.020** (fences, walls, hedges) (§ 17.315.020)
• Historic resource review procedures and when Commission SPDR applies: Chapter **17.510**
• SanJacinto_ZoningCode.md

• Official San Jacinto code library