Sierra Madre — Design Review

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

Sierra Madre’s local code separates discretionary design review paths: an administrative (director) design review process for many projects and specialized ministerial design review rules for small, two‑unit developments created under SB 9. The rules identify who decides, what triggers review, the findings required, and objective design standards tied to specific zones and overlays. Key rules live throughout Title 17 (zoning): see the administrative design review rules at § 17.60.041 and the ministerial (SB 9) rules in Chapter 17.59.

Note: when this page mentions related topics it links to the city menu for quick cross‑reference: see the city's pages for design review, parking, development standards, overlay districts, ADUs, California Building Standards Code, historic preservation and landscaping and screening.

What the code requires — core rules

• Review types and authority

  • Administrative design review permit: primary city procedure; the director is the reviewing authority unless the director refers the matter to the planning commission. Approval must be in writing and may be appealed under the code’s minor CUP rules; the purpose is to ensure compatibility with the neighborhood and good design. Findings are specifically listed and must be made before approval. § 17.60.041
  • Ministerial design review permit (SB 9 / two‑unit ministerial path): a ministerial (no public hearing) design review path applies only in single‑family zones to certain small lot / two‑unit projects; it is objective and ministerial but includes specific eligibility limits and recorded covenant requirements. § 17.59.020 and § 17.59.080–90

• Required findings for administrative design review (selected, decision‑critical)

  • The project must be consistent with the general plan, zoning code, and any applicable design standards; must not unreasonably interfere with neighbor use/enjoyment; building mass/scale/siting must be compatible with neighborhood and foothill village setting; design coherence across elevations; and additional “superior design” criteria where projects seek relief from standards. § 17.60.041(D)(1–8)

• Application and submittal standards

  • Pre‑application meeting is required for ministerial design review applicants. Design drawings for ministerial and many discretionary reviews must be prepared by a licensed architect when required by the department; discretionary projects (and projects seeking style‑based deviations) are expected to supply 3‑D renderings, photo simulations, material/color boards, and narratives. § 17.59.030, § 17.59.040(B), § 17.60.041(G)

• Conditions, covenants, and post‑approval obligations

  • Ministerial approvals require recorded covenants limiting short‑term rentals, compliance with mitigation measures (historic/arborist), separate utilities prior to recordation, and other conditions listed in § 17.59.090. § 17.59.090

• Historic and tree/resource review layers

  • Projects that would affect historic resources are subject to additional historic resource design review and possible mitigation prepared by a qualified historian; protected tree removal/substantial trimming triggers a city‑paid certified arborist report prepared at applicant expense and mitigation made conditions of approval. See Chapter 17.82 and § 17.59.070. § 17.58.060, § 17.59.070

• Triggers for a design review permit (examples)

  • The code lists specific activities that require a design review permit under Chapter 17.28 and 17.30 (for example certain new construction, major additions, second stories that encroach, or projects exceeding size thresholds). See § 17.28.070 and § 17.30.045 for trigger lists. § 17.28.070, § 17.30.045

District‑by‑district breakdown (purpose, typical uses, key dimensional standards, where design review applies)

Note: district names below are bolded exactly as in the code. If a detail is parcel‑specific, Verify with the jurisdiction.

R-1 One‑Family Residential Zone

• Purpose: preserve single‑family character, historic and foothill village feel. § 17.20.010
• Typical permitted uses: one‑family dwellings, home occupations, second units in Chapter 17.22, family day care, limited public utility facilities. § 17.20 permit lists.
• Key dimensional standards:
  • Lot coverage: 40% maximum (includes accessory buildings) § 17.20.120.
  • Allowable gross floor area: tiered tables in § 17.20.125 (percentages and caps by lot size). § 17.20.125
  • Front‑yard landscaping: at least 50% of front yard must be landscaped. § 17.20.121
• Design review applicability:
  • Projects in R‑1 are subject to administrative design review where Chapter 17.28/17.60 prescribe it; ministerial design review (SB 9) eligibility is limited to R‑1, with the ministerial process set out in Chapter 17.59. § 17.59.020

R‑C Residential Canyon Zone

• Purpose: manage development in canyon areas; R‑1 height and residential standards apply with canyon‑specific adjustments. § 17.30.060
• Typical permitted uses: single‑family dwellings, second units (Chapter 17.22), and similar residential uses listed for R‑1. § 17.30 permit lists.
• Key dimensional standards:
  • Combined front + rear setback: minimum 35 ft; front setback at least 15 ft, rear at least 10 ft, but the rear setback may be reduced to no less than 5 ft by an administrative design review permit. § 17.30.070(A)(1)
  • Side yards: rules vary by lot width; lots ≤60 ft require 5 ft each side; wider lots use percentage formulas. § 17.30.070(B)
  • Angle plane height control: 45° plane height limitations are applied; encroachments beyond angle plane require administrative design review. § 17.30.060(B)
• Design review applicability:
  • R‑C is explicitly included for ministerial design review eligibility (SB 9) and for administrative design review triggers when second stories, large additions, or exceptions are proposed. § 17.59.020, § 17.30.045

H Hillside Management Zone

• Purpose: manage hillside form and reduce visual/mass impacts; special siting standards apply. (H zone referenced in ministerial eligibility.) § 17.59.020
• Typical uses: single‑family development with hillside safeguards.
• Key dimensional standards: height, grading, and siting rules are governed by the H zone chapters and the hillside development permit provisions (see Chapters 17.28/17.52). Verify parcel specifics with the city. Not every H‑zone numerical constraint appears in the retrieved excerpts; Verify with the jurisdiction. Not found in retrieved materials for all numeric H‑zone caps.

C (Commercial) Zone

• Purpose: downtown/commercial use where architecture and compatibility matters. Chapter 17.36
• Typical uses: retail, restaurants, offices, and related commercial activities; architectural treatment required on all elevations. § 17.36
• Key dimensional standards:
  • Front yard: minimum 5 ft. § 17.36.070(A)
  • Side yard adjacent to street: 10 ft minimum. § 17.36.070(B)
  • Rear yard: 15 ft (max 10 ft may be used for parking). § 17.36.070(C)
  • Lot coverage: up to 80% allowed in C zone. § 17.36.080
  • Height: up to 30 ft and two stories. § 17.36.090
• Design review applicability:
  • The C zone requires architectural treatment of elevations and design review when the code triggers apply (Chapter 17.28). § 17.36.050–070, § 17.28.070

RHO (Residential Historic Overlay) and Historic Preservation

• Purpose: preserve historic resources; overlay imposes voluntary historic preservation program until properties are designated, after which preservation provisions are mandatory. Chapter 17.82 and the RHO rules require historic assessment and historic resource design review where applicable. § 17.82.010–020, § 17.58.060(C)
• Design review applicability:
  • Properties designated or eligible as historic are not eligible for ministerial SB 9 ministerial design review and instead trigger historic resource design review and special mitigation measures. § 17.59.020(B)(3), § 17.58.060(C)

Overlay zones — example: British Home Specific Plan Overlay Zone

• The city’s overlay zones (listed in Chapter 17.42 and others) have their own development rules and preliminary design review requirements; specific overlays may require preliminary design review before entitlement. See Chapter 17.42 and the city’s overlays page. § 17.42.010–020, § 17.39.050

Quick reference table — decision‑relevant items

Checklist — what an applicant must satisfy before/design review submittal

• Pre‑development meeting with the director or designee for ministerial projects (SB 9) § 17.59.030.
• Complete application form and filing fees per director resolution § 17.59.040(C).
• Design drawings prepared (as required) by a licensed architect where required § 17.59.040(B) and per director’s submittal checklist § 17.60.041(G).
• Demonstrate compliance with applicable development standards (setbacks, lot coverage, height, floor area limits) for the zone § 17.20 / 17.30 / 17.36.
• If site contains protected trees: arborist report and mitigation plan (applicant‑paid city arborist; mitigation as condition) § 17.59.070.
• If site is historic or potentially historic: DPR 523 historic assessment and historic resource design review (historian required) § 17.58.060(C).
• Prepare photo simulations, material/color boards, and narrative to support the design review findings for discretionary projects; provide 3‑D renderings when requested § 17.60.041(G).
• If ministerial approval: be ready to sign and record the covenant limiting STRs and accepting conditions § 17.59.090.

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English summary

If you propose a project in Sierra Madre that alters the size, mass, or visible character of a building (new house, big addition, second story, or certain lot‑split builds), you will usually need a design review permit: either an administrative design review handled by the director (with listed findings) or a ministerial SB 9 design review for certain two‑unit projects in R‑1, R‑C, or H zones. You must submit required drawings (often prepared by a licensed architect), comply with the zone’s setbacks/lot coverage/height rules, and satisfy any tree or historic‑resource mitigation required by the code. § 17.60.041, Chapter 17.59, § 17.20 / 17.30 / 17.36.

Information Gaps

• Comprehensive numeric H zone height/coverage specifics not fully visible in the retrieved excerpts — Verify with the jurisdiction. Not found in retrieved materials.
• Exact current appeal timelines (some appeal language was repealed in editor’s notes) — Ask planning staff for the currently effective appeal procedure for design review referrals. Editor’s notes indicate repeal of some appeal sections; see ordinance for details.
• Any local design guidelines (graphics, pattern books) adopted separately from Title 17 are not included in the retrieved excerpts — Verify with planning department.

Source References

• § 17.60.041 — Design review permit (purpose, reviewing authority, findings).
• Chapter 17.59 (e.g., § 17.59.020, § 17.59.030, § 17.59.040, § 17.59.070, § 17.59.080, § 17.59.090) — Ministerial design review (SB 9 eligibility, pre‑development review, application, tree preservation, findings, conditions).
• Chapter 17.58 — Small home lot development (preliminary design review, findings) and related design review procedures.
• § 17.28.070 — Activities that require a design review permit.
• § 17.30.045 — R‑C / R‑1 design review triggers (e.g., second story encroachment; 3,000 sq ft thresholds).
• Chapter 17.20 (R‑1) — Purpose, permitted uses, § 17.20.120 lot coverage, § 17.20.125 allowable gross floor area, landscaping requirements.
• Chapter 17.30 (R‑C) — Setbacks, height, angle plane, special R‑C standards § 17.30.060–070.
• Chapter 17.36 (C zone) — Architectural treatment, setbacks, lot coverage, height § 17.36.050–090.
• Chapter 17.82 — Historic preservation provisions (historic assessments, voluntary designation, later mandatory rules).

If you want the precise ordinance text links or a parcel‑specific check (e.g., “Does my lot qualify for ministerial SB 9 design review?”), I can pull the exact code snippets and prepare a tailored checklist for your address — Verify with the jurisdiction.

Retrieved passages

• Sierra Madre Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• Sierra Madre Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• Sierra Madre Zoning Code (§ 7) High relevance show source text
• Sierra Madre Zoning Code (title shall) High relevance show source text
• Sierra Madre Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• Sierra Madre Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• CFC § 2 (Chapter 15.24) High relevance show source text
• Sierra Madre Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance show source text
• Sierra Madre Zoning Code (§ 4) High relevance show source text
• Sierra Madre Zoning Code (Section 17.08.020) Medium relevance show source text
• Sierra Madre Zoning Code (title ownership) Medium relevance show source text
• Sierra Madre Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• **§ 17.60.041** — Design review permit (purpose, reviewing authority, findings). (§ 17.60.041)
• **Chapter 17.59 (e.g., § 17.59.020, § 17.59.030, § 17.59.040, § 17.59.070, § 17.59.080, § 17.59.090)** — Ministerial design review (SB 9 eligibility, pre‑development review, application, tree preservation, findings, conditions). (Chapter 17.59)
• **Chapter 17.58** — Small home lot development (preliminary design review, findings) and related design review procedures. (Chapter 17.58)
• **§ 17.28.070** — Activities that require a design review permit. (§ 17.28.070)
• **§ 17.30.045** — R‑C / R‑1 design review triggers (e.g., second story encroachment; 3,000 sq ft thresholds). (§ 17.30.045)
• **Chapter 17.20 (R‑1)** — Purpose, permitted uses, **§ 17.20.120** lot coverage, **§ 17.20.125** allowable gross floor area, landscaping requirements. (Chapter 17.20)
• **Chapter 17.30 (R‑C)** — Setbacks, height, angle plane, special R‑C standards **§ 17.30.060–070**. (Chapter 17.30)
• **Chapter 17.36 (C zone)** — Architectural treatment, setbacks, lot coverage, height **§ 17.36.050–090**. (Chapter 17.36)
• **Chapter 17.82** — Historic preservation provisions (historic assessments, voluntary designation, later mandatory rules). (Chapter 17.82)
• SierraMadre_ZoningCode.md
• 2025 California ADU handbook.md

• Official Sierra Madre code library