Local zoning · Simi Valley

Simi Valley — Design Review

Q: Will landscaping be reviewed as part of design review?

Yes. Landscaping plans are required to comply with Chapter 9‑33 ; landscape buffers, planters for outdoor dining, and required plantings near parking are reviewed and are often imposed as conditions during design or site plan review.

Design Review under the Simi Valley local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

Design review in Simi Valley is implemented through objective design standards, application-level review authorities (Director, Commission, Council), and discrete permit routes (Zoning Clearance, Administrative Action, Planned Development/Conditional Use). The Development Code emphasizes site-sensitive design (hillsides, freeway corridors, mixed‑use projects) and assigns the Environmental Services Director responsibility for ministerial review and initial design consistency checks. Key procedural rules (what triggers design scrutiny, who decides, and what standards apply) are found across Title 9 of the Simi Valley Municipal Code: Articles on zoning district standards (Article 2), site/building design (Article 3), permit review (Chapter 9-52), and Director/Commission authority (Chapter 9-70).

The rest of this page sticks strictly to the Development Code text excerpts provided in the uploaded materials. Where the excerpted file text did not show an explicit section number for a particular quoted design requirement, I mark that item as Not found in retrieved materials and recommend verification with the City.

What Simi Valley calls "design review" (how it operates)

The Code requires projects to meet objective development and design standards in their zoning district plus any applicable overlay or specific-plan requirements; these design requirements are applied by the review authority when processing permits. See § 9-24.040 (district development standards) and § 9-32.140 (design standards / hillside performance).
Many small design decisions are processed ministerially: the City issues Zoning Clearances and Administrative Actions through the Environmental Services Director (or designee) for projects that meet objective standards; the Director may defer to the Planning Commission for discretionary items. See § 9-52.020 (Zoning Clearances), § 9-52.030 (Administrative Actions), and Director duties § 9-70.060.
Larger or discretionary design approvals proceed through Planned Development Permits or other public hearing processes (Commission/Council) when objective standards are insufficient or the project requests exceptions. See § 9-52.050 / Table 5-2 (Planned Development review authority).
Specific design guidance and required features are distributed across chapters: mixed‑use design guidelines (architecture, pedestrian orientation), development/design considerations (roofing, screening), landscaping rules (Chapter 9-33), parking/loading standards (Chapter 9-34), and accessory structure design rules (e.g., § 9-44.220).

(Links to related Simi Valley pages appear where the terms are first mentioned: see the local topics linked inline below.)

District-by-district breakdown (how design review is applied by zone)

Note: The Code organizes districts in Article 2 (Table 2‑1). For dimensional standards and permitted uses the Development Code references Table 2‑3 and related subsections; see the cited sections below.

OS (Open Space)

Purpose: preserve large open parcels, protect environmental resources.
Typical permitted uses: passive open space, parks, limited rural/residential uses as described in Article 2.
Key dimensional standards: Front setback 50 ft, Primary structure 2 stories / 30 ft (Table 2‑3). Design review: projects must meet general development standards in § 9-24.040 and Hillside/Design standards in § 9-32.140 when applicable.
Where it applies: See the Official Zoning Map and Table 2‑1.

RE (Residential Estate)

Purpose: low‑density estate residential. Typical uses and standards follow Article 2 and Table 2‑3. Front setback 20 ft, height limits per Table 2‑3. Projects subject to the same design standards in § 9-32.140.

RVL / RL / RM / RMod (Residential: Very Low, Low, Medium, Moderate)

Purpose: gradations of residential density. Permitted uses and thresholds are listed in the district tables; setbacks, lot sizes and height limits are in Table 2‑3. Examples: Front setback commonly 20 ft, side yards range 4–10 ft depending on district and number of stories — see Table 2‑3/§ 9-24.040 and setback measurement rules in § 9-30.080.
Design review emphasis: compatibility with adjoining neighborhoods, materials/colors, roof forms, landscaping (Chapter 9‑33), and hillside rules where applicable. Objective standards for two‑unit developments and other forms are spelled out in Article 2 (e.g., Two‑Unit Development standards) and the Code permits ministerial Zoning Clearances for many alterations.

RH / RVH / MH (Higher-density residential)

Purpose and uses: townhouse, multifamily, and high-density housing; density, parking and lot standards differ; consult Table 2‑3 and Article 4 for use-specific rules. Design review: larger projects will often require Planned Development or Commission review to ensure compliance with design guidelines and public hearing findings. See § 9-52.050 and Table 5‑2.

CO / CN / CPD (Commercial Office, Neighborhood Commercial, Commercial Planned Development)

Purpose: various commercial intensities; permitted uses and operational standards are in Article 2 & 4. Non‑residential design considerations (roof screening, trash enclosures, pedestrian frontage, building articulation) are in § 9-30.030 and mixed‑use guidelines. Enclosed building requirements and limits on outdoor uses are in the commercial standards.

CI / LI / GI (Industrial / Light Industrial / General Industrial)

Purpose: industrial operations with varying intensity. Design review focuses on screening, loading, outdoor storage, and compliance with operational standards (Chapter 9‑26). Administrative/Planned Development review may be required for expansions or new sites.

FC (Freeway Combining Overlay)

Purpose: for parcels adjacent to SR‑118; requires special design and acoustical treatment to protect residents. Projects in the FC overlay must include acoustical reports and implement noise attenuation measures; the overlay also allows the review authority to apply performance standards for design. See § 9-28.040.

Quick reference table — most decision‑relevant items for design review

Topic	What matters for design review in Simi Valley	Code reference
Who performs ministerial design checks	Environmental Services Director reviews Zoning Clearances and Administrative Actions; Director duties described in § 9-70.060.	§ 9-70.060
Zoning Clearance (ministerial)	Used to verify compliance with district standards (colors/material changes, small footprint moves, accessory additions up to thresholds). Director issues sign‑off when compliant.	§ 9-52.020
Administrative Actions (minor discretionary)	Director can approve small modifications (e.g., accessory structure increases, limited design exceptions) subject to findings; Director may refer to Commission.	§ 9-52.030
Design standards (hillside / general)	Hillside and general design criteria encourage site-sensitive massing, limit height on slopes (generally 2 stories / 35 ft for hillside rules).	§ 9-32.140
Setback measurement / projections	Setback measurement rules and allowed projections are in § 9-30.080 (used throughout district tables).	§ 9-30.080
Residential district base standards	Table 2‑3 provides front setback (commonly 20 ft), height limits, lot sizes for OS/RE/RVL/RL/RM/RMod etc.	§ 9-24.040 / Table 2‑3
Landscaping & screening	Landscaping plans are required and evaluated per Chapter 9‑33; landscape buffers are enforced for dining, parking, etc.	§ 9-33.020 / § 9-33.030
Parking & loading design	Off‑street parking and loading consistency checked under Chapter 9‑34; parking layout changes may require administrative review.	Chapter 9‑34
Mixed‑use design guidance	Facade articulation, pedestrian orientation (e.g., 60% street frontage pedestrian features), and other urban design guidelines apply to Mixed‑Use developments.	Mixed‑Use guidelines (Article excerpt)
Freeway overlay special design	Acoustical reports, material selections, and noise attenuation are required in FC overlay areas.	§ 9-28.040

How the City applies standards vs discretionary judgment

Objective, measurable standards (setbacks, heights, lot coverage, accessory structure size) are enforced directly through Zoning Clearances or building permits where permitted; see Table 2‑3 and the Zoning Clearance rules § 9-52.020.
Where the Code contains guidance (e.g., "should" statements in mixed‑use guidelines or design considerations) the Director / Commission uses those as the basis for conditions of approval or referrals; see § 9-30.030 and Mixed‑Use design guidance.
Administrative Actions provide a formal pathway for modest departures or design exceptions when findings are met; larger departures require Planned Development or Conditional Use route and public hearing findings. See § 9-52.030 and § 9-52.050 (Planned Development).

Checklist (What an applicant must provide for typical design review / Zoning Clearance)

Completed application and fees per Chapter 9‑50 (Application filing & processing).
Site plan and elevations showing heights, setbacks, roof forms, materials and colors (to verify Table 2‑3 and § 9‑30.080 setback measurement).
Landscape plan consistent with Chapter 9‑33 (planting, irrigation, maintenance).
Parking layout conforming to Chapter 9‑34 and any reciprocal parking agreements if shared parking is proposed.
If in an overlay (e.g., FC), required studies such as acoustical report and noise mitigation measures.
Demonstration that the project meets objective development standards (lot coverage, height, yard coverages), or a clear narrative if the application seeks Administrative Action / Planned Development exceptions.
CEQA materials as required — the City will determine level of CEQA review after application completeness (Negative Declaration, MND, or EIR).

(If your project is an ADU, the local ADU standards interact with state ADU law — see the City's ADU rules and state law. For local ADU development standards and whether design review may be applied, check the City's ADU chapter and State ADU law; local objective standards are allowed but must comply with state limits.) Simi Valley ADUs California ADU law

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Whether a proposed change is ministerial (Zoning Clearance) or discretionary (Commission hearing)	Triggers different timelines, notice, and appeal paths. A ministerial approval (Director sign‑off) can be quicker; discretionary approvals require public hearing and findings.	Verify review path early with planner; see § 9‑52.020 and § 9‑52.030.
Exact section containing the detailed "Architectural review" language that lists matching materials/colors for additions	That detailed phrasing appears in the code excerpt provided, but the extract did not show an explicit section header number to quote as the controlling §. Mis‑citing could cause confusion.	Not found in retrieved materials with a clear § label — Verify the exact section number with the Department or the full online SVMC for the clause (verify whether it lives in Article 2 two‑unit rules or a separate subsection).
Applicability of mixed‑use guidelines vs mandatory standards	Guidelines are often "should"/encouraged and not mandatory; relying on them incorrectly can cause an unexpected denial or conditions.	Confirm which provisions are labeled "standards" (mandatory) vs "guidelines" (advisory) in the formal code text for your parcel; see mixed‑use excerpt and Article 3.
Overlay requirements that impose extra design tests (FC, CZ, etc.)	Overlays can add special reports (acoustical) or performance standards that materially change design choices.	Check the parcel's overlays on the Official Zoning Map and the overlay section(s); see § 9‑28.040 for FC overlay.
ADU design-review limits	State ADU law restricts how local agencies apply design controls to ADUs; local design standards must be objective and consistent with state rules.	Review local ADU chapter and state ADU statutes; see State ADU guidance. Not a substitute for jurisdiction confirmation.

Plain‑English summary

If you're building or changing the exterior of a home or commercial building in Simi Valley, your project must meet the City's zoning district standards (setbacks, heights, lot coverage) and the City's design rules (hillside, landscaping, facade and roof treatment). Small, objective changes are usually handled quickly by the Planning Department Director through a Zoning Clearance or Administrative Action; bigger or exception-seeking projects go to the Planning Commission or City Council and require public hearings. Always confirm which overlay zones or mixed‑use/specific‑plan rules apply to your parcel because they add extra design tests (for example, freeway noise mitigation in the FC overlay).

Source References

Simi Valley Development Code — Article 2 (Zoning Districts) and Table 2‑1 / Table 2‑3 (Residential & Open Space standards): § 9-20.020 and § 9-24.040 (Table 2‑3).
Design standards and Hillside Performance Standards: § 9‑32.140 (Design Standards).
Development/design considerations (roofing, screening, trash enclosures, landscaping): § 9‑30.030.
Zoning Clearances (ministerial sign‑off rules): § 9‑52.020.
Administrative Actions (minor approvals by Director): § 9‑52.030.
Planned Development / review authority and Table 5‑2 (Director/Commission roles): § 9‑52.050 and Table 5‑2.
Director duties (who does ministerial architectural checks): § 9‑70.060.
Mixed‑Use design guidelines and pedestrian/frontage guidance: (mixed‑use excerpt).
Setback measurement rules: § 9‑30.080 (Setback measurement and Table 3‑2).
Landscaping standards (requirements for landscape plans): Chapter 9‑33.
Accessory structure design / Residential Design Guidelines for accessory structures: § 9‑44.220.
Freeway Combining (FC) overlay (soundproofing / design measures): § 9‑28.040.
CEQA review requirement for projects: § 9‑50.070.

Internal topic pages (linked where mentioned above):

If you want a parcel‑specific read of which rules and review path apply, provide the Assessor Parcel Number (APN) or the site address and I will check the Code excerpts above against the parcel’s zoning and overlays — or verify with the City's planning counter.

Sources

Retrieved passages

Simi Valley Zoning Code (Chapter 9-64) High relevance
Simi Valley Zoning Code (Section 9-24.060.D) Medium relevance
Simi Valley Zoning Code (Section 9-32.110) Medium relevance
Simi Valley Zoning Code (Chapter 9-33) Medium relevance
Simi Valley Zoning Code (Section 66411.1.) Medium relevance
Simi Valley Zoning Code (Section 9-44.110) Medium relevance
CBC § 66321 (§ 66321) Medium relevance
Simi Valley Zoning Code (§ 5) Medium relevance
Simi Valley Zoning Code (Chapter 9-33) Medium relevance
Simi Valley Zoning Code (Section 6-12.101) Medium relevance
Simi Valley Zoning Code (Section 9-32.050) Medium relevance
Simi Valley Zoning Code (Section 9-44.160) Medium relevance
Simi Valley Zoning Code (Section may) Medium relevance
Simi Valley Zoning Code (Section 9-44.220.B) Medium relevance
Simi Valley Zoning Code (Section 9-32.050) Medium relevance
Simi Valley Zoning Code (Article 3) Medium relevance
CBC § 5 (§ 5) Medium relevance
Simi Valley Zoning Code (Section 9-24.050) Medium relevance
Simi Valley Zoning Code (Section 9-24.050) Medium relevance
Simi Valley Zoning Code (Section 9-30.080.D) Medium relevance
Simi Valley Zoning Code (Section 9-52.030) Medium relevance
Simi Valley Zoning Code (§ 5) Medium relevance
Simi Valley Zoning Code (Article 1) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official Simi Valley code library

Frequently asked questions

Do I need design review in Simi Valley?

If your change is limited to objective, code‑compliant items (setbacks, heights, materials that meet the district standards), the City typically handles it via a Zoning Clearance or Administrative Action under § 9‑52.020 / § 9‑52.030. Projects requesting exceptions, plan‑level design changes, or discretionary deviations go to the Planning Commission or require a Planned Development permit per the review authority tables.

What triggers an Architectural/Design review by the City?

Design review is triggered when a proposed development must be checked against district development standards, the design standards in § 9‑32.140, or when the proposal needs an Administrative Action or Planned Development permit. Routine Zoning Clearances check architectural conformity for many small projects as listed in § 9‑52.020.

Who does the ministerial design/architectural check in Simi Valley?

The Environmental Services Director (or designated staff) performs initial ministerial checks and may sign off on Zoning Clearances and Administrative Actions; the Director can refer items to the Planning Commission for discretionary review. See § 9‑70.060 and § 9‑52.020.

What design standards apply to a house on a hillside?

Hillside development must comply with the Hillside Performance Standards and design provisions (applicable height, massing and siting limits) in § 9‑32.140; the code explicitly encourages techniques that minimize terrain disruption and limits height on hillside projects (commonly two stories / 35 ft where hillside standards apply).

Does the FC (Freeway) overlay change design rules for homes near SR‑118?

Yes. Parcels in the FC overlay require special performance-based design and acoustical measures (e.g., acoustical reports and soundproofing as required), and the review authority applies those standards during design review; see § 9‑28.040.

Will landscaping be reviewed as part of design review?

Yes. Landscaping plans are required to comply with Chapter 9‑33; landscape buffers, planters for outdoor dining, and required plantings near parking are reviewed and are often imposed as conditions during design or site plan review.

If I propose a material or color change, will I need a public hearing?

Minor color or material changes that are consistent with an original project approval can often be handled as a Zoning Clearance (ministerial) per § 9‑52.020; significant design changes, new model plans, or projects that fail to meet objective standards may require public notice and hearing.

Can the Director grant small exceptions to accessory structure size or site standards?

Yes—certain increases in accessory structure size or other small departures may be handled with an Administrative Action by the Director provided the findings are met (see § 9‑52.030). Larger increases require Planned Development or CUP.

Do ADUs have to go through the same design review?

Local ADU rules can impose objective design and development standards (height, setbacks, parking) but must follow state ADU law limits. Where local ADU standards are objective they can be applied ministerially; check the local ADU chapter and state ADU guidance. Not all local ADU rules are repeated in the extracted text here — verify with the City's ADU section and state law.

What if the Code’s excerpt I read includes architectural prescriptions but no section number?

Some excerpts in the provided materials include architectural direction but the extract did not display a clear section header number for those specific lines. For any provision you plan to rely on (e.g., “match existing materials/colors”), confirm the exact Code section and current wording with City planning staff or through the City's online Municipal Code. Not found in retrieved materials (explicit § for that precise phrasing) — verify with the jurisdiction.

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