Design Review Application Process

The following provides more detail about the design review process. If you have any questions, please contact Planning Division staff at planning@ssf.net or 650-877-8535.

When does a project require design review?

A residential project requires design review by the Design Review Board if the project is proposing:

  • A new dwelling unit;
  • An addition to one, two, or three-family residential structures which break the existing roofline of the structure and/or which constitute a 50 percent or greater increase in floor area; and,
  • Exterior modifications deemed to have a potentially substantial impact on neighborhood character or compatibility.

A commercial or industrial project requires design review by the Design Review Board for:

  • All projects that require a building permit, which involve construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, alteration, or other improvements to the exterior of a structure or parking area.

What are the general steps for submitting a Design Review Application?

Before submitting a Design Review Application to the City, an applicant must:

  1. Review the City's development standards and Design Review Guidelines(PDF, 2MB).
  2. Schedule a Pre-Application Meeting(PDF, 158KB) with Planning Division staff.

After the Pre-Application Meeting, an applicant can submit the Design Review Application which can be found here:

Design Review Application(PDF, 514KB)

What is the design review process?

Once an application is submitted, Planning Division staff will review the application for completeness and compliance with the City's zoning regulations within 30 days of submittal.

The City’s Technical Advisory Group, comprised of staff from multiple City departments, will also complete an initial review and provide comments.

Planning Division staff will send a letter to the applicant that details any missing or incomplete items; clarification inquiries for design/site planning; and, if the project is considered ready, provide a tentative date for an upcoming Design Review Board meeting. The Design Review Board is an advisory body to the Planning Commission and reviews proposed designs, landscapes, and other aspects of the proposed project.

During the Design Review Board meeting, the applicant and/or a representative is required to attend, and it is strongly recommended that the architect and/or designer attend the meetings to provide an overview and answer any questions.

The Design Review Board will comment on the proposed design, related drawings, and other materials for consistency with the City’s Development Standards and Supplemental Regulations, which are included in the Zoning Ordinance for each Zoning District, as well as Citywide Site and Building Standards (SSFMC Section 20.310).

After the DRB meeting, staff will send a comment letter to the applicant describing information or corrections necessary to address any remaining design concerns from the Design Review Board.

Design Review Board Meetings

Design Review Board meetings are held each 3rd Tuesday of the month, beginning at 4:00PM. The meetings are held in the Annex Conference Room in the City Hall Annex at 315 Maple Avenue, South San Francisco. Click here to learn more about the Design Review Board.

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