Local zoning · San Marino

San Marino — Design Review

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

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

San Marino’s local zoning code establishes a formal design review process administered primarily by a standing Design Review Committee (DRC) with appeals and some hearings heard by the Planning Commission. The code sets procedural rules (notice, hearings, timing), the standard of review (compatibility, privacy, materials), required application materials, and a limited set of items which the Community Development Director may approve administratively. See the primary process rules at § 23.15.05 and notice rules at § 23.15.06 .

Note: this page covers only what the San Marino zoning/planning ordinance says about design review. For building-code details consult the California Building Standards Code.

Key internal resources referenced in this guidance: the city’s pages for San Marino Zoning, San Marino Development Standards, San Marino Parking, San Marino Overlay Districts, San Marino Historic Preservation, and San Marino ADUs.

What the ordinance requires — high level

Applications are filed with the DRC or Planning Commission as appropriate; the Director provides a preliminary consultation and the matter then proceeds to public hearing before the DRC (or Planning Commission in specified cases) § 23.15.05 .
Notice timelines for hearings differ by project type: ten (10) days’ mailed notice is required for new/replacement structures and for any application that adds square footage; three (3) days for other applications; on-site posting is required for new or replacement residential structures § 23.15.06 .
The DRC or Planning Commission must render a decision within 30 days after the public hearing concludes § 23.15.08 .
Standard of review: applications are approved only if findings of neighborhood compatibility, reasonable privacy balance, additions compatible with the existing building (rooflines), and consistent colors/materials are met; design review cannot reduce maximum lot coverage limits established elsewhere in the code § 23.15.09 .
Detailed application documentation and submittal requirements (plans, elevations, material samples, landscape plans, and special submittals for roof replacements, fences, demolition of older structures, etc.) are specified § 23.15.12 and § 23.15.13 .
Certain minor changes and some by-right projects may be approved administratively by the Community Development Director without neighborhood notification; a denial by the Director may be appealed to the DRC § 23.15.04.1 and related provisions .

District-by-district breakdown (what the design-review rules touch in each zone)

Below are districts named in the code that commonly intersect with design review. For each I synthesize what the ordinance provides about design-review application handling and include what the code directly establishes. Where the ordinance text in the retrieved materials does not include a zone’s full purpose or numeric standards, I note that.

R-1 (single‑family residential)
- Purpose / typical uses: single-family residences (common residential zone used throughout the code). The ordinance ties many residential design‑review triggers (additions, new residences, front‑yard paving, major alterations) to R-1 code provisions; see the front‑yard/impervious coverage and fence permit rules that reference design review procedures § 23.13.04 and related parts (see fence/yard/wall rules) .
- Design-review specifics: many residential projects in R-1 are processed by the DRC; limited, ministerial items (front door or garage door replacements, minor window modifications, small interior reconfigurations that do not add area) may be approved by the Community Development Director within the R-1 zone § 23.15.04.1 .
- Key dimensional/development standards referenced (for what DRC may not change): maximum lot coverage provisions referenced in the design-review standards are in § 23.02.10, § 23.02.11, and § 23.02.12; design review may not force a reduction of those maximums § 23.15.09(B) .
- Where it applies: city-wide residential neighborhoods; R‑1 specifics and other development limits referenced in the code (e.g., recreational courts, front-yard paving triggers) are spread through Article 02 rules § 23.02.05, § 23.02.06 .
C-1 (commercial / neighborhood commercial)
- Purpose / typical uses: commercial retail and service uses along commercial corridors; ordinance contains C‑1 requirements for site area and building height.
- Design-review specifics: many commercial signage or facade changes are explicitly subject to design review (sign submittal requirements) § 23.15.13(D); Community Development Director can administratively approve some changes in R-1 and C-1 per § 23.15.04.1 .
- Key dimensional standards: maximum building height in C‑1 is thirty feet (30') § 23.03.02; there are site area requirements and parking rules referenced elsewhere § 23.03.03 .
- Where it applies: commercial districts mapped in the zoning map (see San Marino zoning maps) and the C‑1 zone articles in Chapter 23.
RM1, RIH, MU-1, MU-2, H & C
- Purpose / typical uses: these are multi‑family, institutional, and mixed‑use designations referenced by the code (for example, RM1 and RIH for multifamily, MU‑1/MU‑2 for mixed-use, H & C for certain employee housing and institutional uses).
- Design-review specifics: multi‑family projects that comply with objective multi‑family standards may be approved by the Community Development Director; projects that do not comply with those objective standards are routed to the DRC for discretionary design review § 23.15.04.1(B) .
- Where it applies: the code expressly lists these zones as subject to either objective ministerial review or discretionary DRC review depending on compliance with objective standards; see the by‑right/ministerial Article (Article 23.23) for projects that can be approved by-right under state law § 23.23.03–06 .
- Key dimensional standards: specific objective multi‑family standards are in the zone articles referenced by the code (for example, the multi‑family objective standards in § 23.20.03), but the full text of those standards was not included in the retrieved excerpt. Verify with the jurisdiction for parcel‑level numeric requirements.

If you need parcel-specific dimensional numbers (setbacks, FAR, lot coverage) for any of the above zones, consult the zone articles in Chapter 23 or the City’s San Marino Development Standards. Some zone-specific numeric references cited by the design-review article include § 23.02.10, § 23.02.11, § 23.02.12, and multi‑family sections such as § 23.20.03 .

Decision‑relevant table (quick reference)

Requirement / Topic	What the ordinance says (short)	Code reference
Who hears design review	Primarily the DRC; some applications start at the Planning Commission; limited administrative approvals by the Community Development Director	§ 23.15.05, § 23.15.04.1
Notice & on‑site posting	10 days’ mailed notice for applications adding square footage or new/replacement structures; 3 days for other applications; sign posting for new/replacement residential structures	§ 23.15.06
Standard of review (findings to approve)	Compatibility with neighborhood, balance of privacy, additions compatible with existing building (rooflines), colors/materials consistent	§ 23.15.09
Documentation required	Detailed plans, elevations, materials, landscape plan for new residences, special packet requirements for roofs/fences/signs/demolition	§ 23.15.12, § 23.15.13
Timing — decision & effective date	Decision within 30 days of hearing; approvals become effective 15 days after decision if no appeal	§ 23.15.08, § 23.15.12
Appeals	DRC decisions appeal to Planning Commission; Planning Commission appeal to City Council (procedural rules and fees)	§ 23.15.10, § 23.15.11
Administrative approvals	Director may approve minor changes and certain multi-family projects meeting objective standards; these are ministerial but appealable	§ 23.15.04.1, § 23.23.04–06

Checklist (what an applicant must provide / expect)

File an application with the Secretary of the DRC or Planning Commission as directed § 23.15.05 .
Attend a preliminary consultation with the Community Development Director or designee (informal review and explanation of guidelines) § 23.15.05(B) .
Prepare and submit the documentation list required by the ordinance (eight sets after initial staff review where specified): plot plan, roof plan, floor plans, elevations, architectural details, material/color samples, landscape plan for new residences, perspective/isometric drawings for multi‑story changes, manufacturer brochures for roofing, etc. § 23.15.12, § 23.15.13 .
Provide stamped envelopes with names/addresses of owners/occupants in the legal neighborhood and post required on‑site signage for applicable projects § 23.15.06(G) .
Pay required fees (design review fee established by Council resolution) § 23.15.15 .
Be prepared for the public hearing (notice, testimony recorded) and a decision within 30 days after the hearing concludes § 23.15.07–08 .
If applying for administrative Director approval (minor items), confirm eligibility under § 23.15.04.1; if denied, an appeal to the DRC is available § 23.15.04.1(B) .
If the approved design review results in a building permit, obtain the permit within one year or obtain a one‑year extension from the DRC/Planning Commission § 23.15.09(C) .

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Where ministerial (objective) review applies vs. discretionary DRC review	Some multi‑family and by‑right projects can be approved ministerially, while others trigger discretionary review; mistakes lead to re-submittal or appeal	Check whether the project qualifies under § 23.23.03–06 (by‑right/ministerial) and confirm with staff whether objective standards are met § 23.23.04–06
Applicability to ADUs	State ADU law limits discretionary impediments; San Marino references state by-right pathways but local design standards may still apply	Review the ADU-specific procedures and confirm which design standards apply to ADUs; the code cross-references state law in Article 23.23 § 23.23.03 (see also state ADU law) . Verify with the jurisdiction.
Zone numeric standards not fully quoted here (setbacks, lot coverage, FAR)	DRC decisions are constrained by numeric zone standards (DRC cannot require reduced lot coverage), but precise numeric thresholds are in other zone sections	Confirm parcel numeric limits in the relevant zone articles (e.g., § 23.02.10–12, § 23.03.03, § 23.20.03) — Not found in retrieved materials for full text; verify with the Community Development Department
Reference to § 23.15.16 (used in other sections)	The design-review rules reference additional standards by section number; if that section text is not available, you may miss a required finding or detail	The code excerpts reference § 23.15.16 but that section text was not available in the retrieved materials — Not found in retrieved materials. Verify with the jurisdiction
Tree preservation vs. design exceptions	Code allows modifications to preserve heritage/established trees, which can affect siting and massing	For projects impacting trees, expect design modifications and make early contact with staff; see tree/preservation-related decision language § 23.16.04 and amendments noted in the design review cross-references

Information Gaps (what the retrieved materials did not establish)

Full text of zone-specific numeric development standards (exact setback, lot coverage, FAR, articulation rules) for each district — many zone references are present, but the numeric tables themselves were not included in the retrieved excerpts (e.g., the full content of § 23.02.10–12, § 23.03.03, § 23.20.03). Verify with the City’s zoning tables or the San Marino Development Standards.
The full text of § 23.15.16 (the code is referenced elsewhere but the section text was not found in the retrieved excerpts). Not found in retrieved materials.
Any city-adopted design guidelines document (illustrative guidance used by the DRC) beyond the plan submittal checklist — staff offers a preliminary consultation, but a separate “Design Guidelines” document was not included in the retrieved material. Verify with the Community Development Department.

Plain‑English Summary

San Marino requires discretionary design review for many exterior changes, additions, new houses, fences/walls adjacent to streets, and sign changes; you must submit detailed plans and material samples, follow the notice/posting rules, and the DRC (or Planning Commission) will approve only if the project is compatible with the neighborhood and balances privacy and design quality. Ministerial approvals are available for limited, objective cases but verify eligibility early with staff § 23.15.05–13 .

Source References

San Marino Zoning Code, Article: Design Review — § 23.15.05 (application, preliminary consultation, hearing, initial reviewing body)
San Marino Zoning Code, Notice provisions — § 23.15.06 (mailed notice, on‑site posting)
San Marino Zoning Code, Public hearing and decision time — § 23.15.07, § 23.15.08 (hearing conduct, 30‑day decision)
San Marino Zoning Code, Standard of review and approval findings — § 23.15.09 (compatibility findings; cannot reduce maximum lot coverage)
San Marino Zoning Code, Appeals — § 23.15.10, § 23.15.11 (DRC and Planning Commission appeals procedures)
San Marino Zoning Code, Effective date and documentation — § 23.15.12, § 23.15.13 (detailed submittal requirements, sets of plans, materials)
San Marino Zoning Code, Administrative approvals by Director — § 23.15.04.1 (what the Director can approve; appeal right to DRC)
San Marino Zoning Code, Fees — § 23.15.15 (design review fee set by Council resolution)
San Marino Zoning Code, By‑right / ministerial approvals for certain housing projects — § 23.23.03–06 (Article 23 by‑right approval; ministerial plan permit rules)
San Marino Zoning Code, Fence/wall controls and requirement for design review for some fence permits — fence section and permit rules (see fence permit provisions and design-review findings) § 23.13.04
San Marino Zoning Code, C‑1 height limit — § 23.03.02 (30' maximum)
San Marino Zoning Code, Landscape documentation package (tree/landscape requirements that intersect with design review) — § 23.16.04–05

Sources

Retrieved passages

San Marino Zoning Code High relevance
San Marino Zoning Code (section 23.15.16) High relevance
CFC § 200 (title is) High relevance
San Marino Zoning Code (article are) High relevance
San Marino Zoning Code (section 23.15.09) High relevance
San Marino Zoning Code (section 23.15.12) High relevance
San Marino Zoning Code (section 23.15.12) Medium relevance
San Marino Zoning Code Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official San Marino code library

Frequently asked questions

Do I need design review in San Marino?

If your project involves new or replacement structures, additions that increase square footage, fences/walls adjacent to a street, or exterior changes listed in the design‑review article, you will go through design review unless the change is eligible for administrative approval under § 23.15.04.1. The processing steps are set out in § 23.15.05 and notice requirements in § 23.15.06 .

What triggers mailed notice and posting for a design‑review hearing?

Ten (10) days’ mailed notice is required for any application that adds square footage or is a new or replacement structure; three (3) days for other design‑review applications; on‑site signs must be posted for new/replacement residential structures as described in § 23.15.06 .

What findings does the DRC use to approve or deny a project?

Approval requires findings that the proposed structure is compatible with the neighborhood, balances reasonable privacy expectations, additions are compatible with existing rooflines, and colors/materials match or are consistent with the building. The standard of review is in § 23.15.09 .

Can the Community Development Director approve my change without a DRC hearing?

Yes — certain minor items (front/garage door replacements, minor window mods, new light fixtures, some commercial awnings or doors, limited interior reconfigurations in R‑1) and some multi‑family projects that meet objective standards can be approved by the Community Development Director without neighborhood notification; see § 23.15.04.1. Denials by the Director may be appealed to the DRC § 23.15.04.1 .

What plans and materials do I have to include with my design‑review submittal?

The ordinance requires a full set of plans for any increase in square footage including plot plan with setbacks and impervious coverage, roof plan, floor plans, elevations, architectural details, material/color samples, landscape plan for new residences, and special submittals for roofs, walls/fences, signs, and demolition reports for older structures — see § 23.15.12 and § 23.15.13 .

How long until I get a decision, and when does an approval become effective?

The DRC or Planning Commission must issue a decision within thirty (30) days after the public hearing concludes § 23.15.08. An order granting, denying, or modifying a design-review application becomes effective fifteen (15) days after the decision provided no appeal has been filed § 23.15.12 .

Will design review allow the DRC to reduce the city's maximum lot coverage?

No. The code expressly states that the design-review process may not require a reduction of maximum lot coverage established in § 23.02.10–12; the DRC’s discretion is subject to the underlying numeric zoning limits § 23.15.09(B) .

Are some housing projects exempt from discretionary design review?

Some projects that meet the objective, by‑right criteria set out in Article 23.23 may be eligible for ministerial approval rather than discretionary design review; see § 23.23.03–06 which spells out eligibility and ministerial plan permit review requirements § 23.23.04–06 .

What if my project affects protected or established trees?

The DRC or Planning Commission may modify proposals to preserve established or heritage trees (e.g., reduce/reroute driveways, change building height/massing) after finding that alternatives were considered and that the proposal satisfies general plan objectives — see the tree‑protection and modification authority in the code § 23.16.04 .

Do I have to get a building permit after design-review approval?

Yes. Any building permit resulting from design‑review approval must be obtained within one year of approval and construction must conform to the approved plans; the DRC or Planning Commission can extend the expiration for one additional year § 23.15.09(C) . ---

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