Temple City — Design Review

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

Design review in Temple City is administered through the Zoning Code (Title 9) and is implemented primarily as the Site Plan and Design Review process: zoning clearances, minor site plan review, and major site plan review are the three review tiers used to evaluate architectural and site design. The code ties design findings to the city’s adopted design guidelines and district-specific design standards (commercial, mixed-use, and residential tables), and assigns review authority to the Director, Planning Commission, or City Council depending on the project type and size. See the city's zoning rules for how design review interacts with other rules such as parking, development standards, and overlays: read Temple City Zoning for context and the city's Development Standards for dimensional rules.

How Temple City structures design review (quick map)

• Zoning Clearance (administrative) — ministerial review for small projects and uses (see § 9-1C-6-A) .
• Minor Site Plan Review — Director-level discretionary design review for smaller projects such as single-family homes or façade-only work (see § 9-1C-6-B) .
• Major Site Plan Review — Director, Planning Commission, or City Council depending on project size; applies to most new commercial, multi-family, mixed-use, industrial, and institutional construction and additions (see § 9-1C-6-C) .
• District-specific design rules — commercial, mixed-use, and residential districts include tables and criteria that the reviewer must apply (examples: § 9-1I-5, § 9-1H-5, § 9-1G-12 / Table 9-1G-3) .

Linking the subject to related pages: design details commonly interact with Temple City Parking, Temple City Development Standards, Temple City Overlay Districts, Temple City Historic Preservation, Temple City Landscaping and Screening, and Temple City ADUs; larger permit submittals use the city's Zoning and Land Use pages as starting points. Also expect state code interactions with the California Building Standards Code for building-level compliance.

(First appearance of those related topics linked: "design review" linked to the Temple City Zoning page, "parking" to the city's Parking page, "development standards" to Development Standards, "overlay" to Overlay Districts, "historic" to Historic Preservation, "landscaping" to Landscaping and Screening, "ADUs" to ADU page, and "California Building Standards Code" to state building codes.)

• design review — /us/california/temple-city/zoning
• parking — /us/california/temple-city/parking
• development standards — /us/california/temple-city/development-standards
• overlay districts — /us/california/temple-city/overlay-districts
• historic preservation — /us/california/temple-city/historic-preservation
• landscaping and screening — /us/california/temple-city/landscaping-and-screening
• ADUs — /us/california/temple-city/adu
• California Building Standards Code — /us/california/building-codes

District-by-district breakdown (what design review looks for, and where it applies)

Below I synthesize the Temple City Zoning Code provisions for the most design-review–sensitive districts. Each district entry notes the purpose, typical uses that invoke design review, and the key dimensional/design rules that reviewers must apply. All rules are grounded to the code by section.

R‑1 (Low‑Density Residential)

• Purpose: The R-1 district is Temple City's low-density residential zone (corresponds to the General Plan Low-Density Residential) and focuses on single-family development and neighborhood compatibility. § 9-1G-12 and Table 9-1G-3 contain the development standards and incentives.
• Typical uses that trigger design review: new single‑story and two‑story single‑family homes, additions above the ground floor, and certain accessory structures. Minor site plan review is the standard review path for most new single‑family residence projects. § 9-1C-6-B.
• Key dimensional/design standards (selected, stated in the code):
  • Front setback: 20 ft minimum for first and second floor; front setback must be consistent with adjacent houses (Table 9-1G-3, § 9-1G-12).
  • Side yard: 5 ft/10% (first floor / percent of lot width) interior; second story combined average 10–15 ft depending on corner/interior conditions (Table 9-1G-3).
  • Rear yard: 15 ft (first floor) and 20 ft (second floor) when abutting R-1 (Table 9-1G-3).
  • Floor area ratio and maximum floor areas: FAR and maximum dwelling sizes are set in Table 9-1G-3 (e.g., 0.35 for >18 ft heights without bonuses) and related incentive rules for modest FAR bonuses. § 9-1G-12 / Table 9-1G-5.

Verify setbacks and bonus eligibility for any specific lot—see § 9-1N-5 for measurement rules and exceptions.

R‑2 (Medium‑Density Residential)

• Purpose: The R-2 district is for medium-density multi‑family development up to 12 du/acre, mixing small multi‑unit buildings, duplexes and some single-family forms. Design standards and applicability statements are in § 9-1G-20 and § 9-1G-21.
• Typical uses that trigger design review: multi‑family new construction or additions with new square footage normally fall under Major Site Plan Review when they introduce new units or floor area; some multi‑family projects may qualify for expedited objective review if they meet the adopted prototype/palette library (see code for objective standards). § 9-1C-6-C.
• Key standards (selected):
  • Front setback: 20 ft minimum (Table / § for R‑2).
  • Side yards: 5 ft first floor; combined second-story average 10 ft (see R‑2 rules).
  • Minimum parking: 2 off‑street spaces per dwelling unit (R‑2 parking standard, § 9‑1G‑21 / development standards).
  • Maximum multi‑family FAR called out in code: 0.50 for multi‑family projects (subject to State law adjustments).

MU‑L and MU‑M (Mixed‑Use Low / Mixed‑Use Medium)

• Purpose: MU‑L targets lower-intensity neighborhood-serving mixed-use; MU‑M targets compact, walkable mixed-use with higher residential density. See § 9-1H-1 and Table 9-1H-3 for standards (density, FAR, heights).
• Typical uses that trigger design review: Most additions of ≥100 sq ft or any new mixed‑use building are processed as a major site plan review and must meet the mixed-use design criteria in § 9-1H-4 / § 9-1H-5.
• Key design/dimensional highlights (Table 9-1H-3 summary):
  • Density: MU‑L up to 20 du/ac; MU‑M up to 40 du/ac (mixed‑use values noted in code).
  • Building height: MU‑L up to 3 stories/45 ft; MU‑M up to 4 stories/60 ft (Table 9-1H-3).
  • Lot coverage: variable by subzone (see Table 9-1H-3).
  • Ground-floor activation and façade treatments are required to support pedestrian orientation; balconies on side/rear elevations facing single-family homes are restricted. § 9-1H-5.

NC / LTC / DC (Neighborhood Commercial / Las Tunas Commercial / Downtown Core)

• Purpose: Commercial design rules and pedestrian orientation goals are in Article I. § 9-1I-1 describes district intent; § 9-1I-4 and § 9-1I-5 set the design review triggers and standards.
• Typical uses that trigger design review: Any commercial building, addition, or expansion that adds ≥100 sq ft to a site triggers design review (director or planning commission depending on the table) § 9-1I-4 / § 9-1I-5.
• Key design criteria (Table 9-1I-4, selected):
  • Compatibility with adjacent development and pedestrian access are mandatory review criteria.
  • No parking in front/side/street corner setbacks; parking visible from the street is limited and must be screened (Table 9-1I-4).
  • Storefronts, minimum unit depths, and minimum unit sizes (e.g., 800 sq ft min non‑residential unit) are specified for LTC/DC.

Trigger thresholds & decision authorities (quick reference table)

Checklist (What an applicant must include for a Site Plan / Design Review submittal)

• Completed application form and fees as required by the City (file with Community Development) — follow the application procedures in § 9-1C-5-B.
• Site plan showing building footprints, setbacks measured per § 9-1N-5, property lines, and adjacent zoning.
• Exterior elevations and material/color palette that respond to district design criteria (commercial: § 9-1I-5; mixed-use: § 9-1H-5; residential: Table 9-1G-3 / § 9-1G-12).
• Landscaping and irrigation plan showing required planting percentages/screening (commercial landscaping & lighting requirements in § 9-1I-5).
• Parking plan that demonstrates compliance with Temple City Parking rules; show access and screening to conform with district-specific parking rules (e.g., no parking in front setback) — see Temple City Parking and § 9-1I-5.
• Lighting/photometric plan where exterior lighting is proposed (photometric limits and submission standards are in the code).
• Plans and narrative demonstrating consistency with any applicable Specific Plan or Overlay District; overlay rules prevail where they differ (see § 9-1A-5 and § 9-1M-3).
• CEQA checklist or filing as required (Major Site Plan Review approvals must comply with CEQA findings). § 9-1C-6-C.

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

If you are changing the exterior of a building or adding size in Temple City, you will usually need a site plan or design review: small home jobs typically go to the Director for a minor review, while new commercial, multi-family, mixed‑use projects or larger additions go through major review where the Director, Planning Commission, or City Council makes design findings. The reviewer uses the rules in Title 9 (zoning) plus district tables (R‑1 / R‑2 / MU‑L / MU‑M / NC / DC / LTC) and the city's design guidelines, and you must show plans for setbacks, landscaping, parking, and façades to get approval. Always confirm overlays or specific plan rules for your parcel.

Information Gaps

• The full text of the City’s adopted "design guidelines" and the "architectural prototype and palette library" (Resolution No. referenced in code) were cited by the Zoning Code but not included in the retrieved materials. The code requires consistency with those guidelines (e.g., § 9-1I-5, § 9-1H-5) but the guideline documents themselves must be requested from the City.
• Fee schedules, exact application form checklists, and statutory timelines for decision (e.g., number of days for director decision) are not present in the retrieved excerpts. Verify with the Community Development counter. Not found in retrieved materials.
• Any parcel-specific overlay zones or specific plan amendments that can change design requirements must be checked on the zoning map or with staff: the Zoning Map is adopted by reference (§ 9-1B-2), but parcel queries require verification.

Source References

• Temple City Zoning Code (Title 9, Introduction & General Provisions): § 9-1A-1 – § 9-1A-12.
• Site Plan & Design Review procedures (Zoning Administration): § 9-1C-5 (Application procedures) and § 9-1C-6-A/B/C (Zoning clearance, Minor Site Plan Review, Major Site Plan Review).
• R-1 district development standards and Table 9-1G-3, and R-1 standards reference § 9-1G-12.
• R-2 district designation and development standards: § 9-1G-20 and related R‑2 sections.
• Mixed‑Use District rules and design review triggers: § 9-1H-1, § 9-1H-4, § 9-1H-5, Table 9-1H-3.
• Commercial Design Review and standards: § 9-1I-4, § 9-1I-5, Table 9-1I-4.
• Lighting, landscaping, and parking design requirements (selected excerpts): various development standards in Article I and Article N (e.g., § 9-1I-5, § 9-1N-5).
• Specific plans and how they interact with Zoning Code standards: § 9-1M-2 – 9-1M-4 and the note that specific plan rules prevail where they apply.

Retrieved passages

• Temple City Zoning Code (ARTICLE M.) High relevance show source text
• Temple City Zoning Code (section 9-1C-5-B) High relevance show source text
• Temple City Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• Temple City Zoning Code (chapter will) Medium relevance show source text
• Temple City Zoning Code (section 9-1C-5-B) Medium relevance show source text
• Temple City Zoning Code (chapter shall) Medium relevance show source text
• CPC § 1960 Medium relevance show source text
• Temple City Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text
• Temple City Zoning Code (Section 9-1C-6-C) Medium relevance show source text
• Temple City Zoning Code (Section 9-1N-6) Medium relevance show source text
• Temple City Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text
• Temple City Zoning Code (Section 9-1N-6) Medium relevance show source text
• Temple City Zoning Code (Article 9-) Medium relevance show source text
• Temple City Zoning Code (§ 65913.11) Medium relevance show source text
• Temple City Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Temple City Zoning Code (Title 9, Introduction & General Provisions): **§ 9-1A-1 – § 9-1A-12**. (Title 9)
• Site Plan & Design Review procedures (Zoning Administration): **§ 9-1C-5** (Application procedures) and **§ 9-1C-6-A/B/C** (Zoning clearance, Minor Site Plan Review, Major Site Plan Review). (§ 9-1C-5)
• R-1 district development standards and Table **9-1G-3**, and R-1 standards reference **§ 9-1G-12**. (§ 9-1G-12)
• R-2 district designation and development standards: **§ 9-1G-20** and related R‑2 sections. (§ 9-1G-20)
• Mixed‑Use District rules and design review triggers: **§ 9-1H-1**, **§ 9-1H-4**, **§ 9-1H-5**, Table **9-1H-3**. (§ 9-1H-1)
• Commercial Design Review and standards: **§ 9-1I-4**, **§ 9-1I-5**, Table **9-1I-4**. (§ 9-1I-4)
• Lighting, landscaping, and parking design requirements (selected excerpts): various development standards in Article I and Article N (e.g., **§ 9-1I-5**, **§ 9-1N-5**). (Article I)
• Specific plans and how they interact with Zoning Code standards: **§ 9-1M-2 – 9-1M-4** and the note that specific plan rules prevail where they apply. (§ 9-1M-2)
• TempleCity_ZoningCode.md

• Official Temple City code library