City Wide Design Guidelines and Residential Objective Design Standards

In February 2008, the City Council formally adopted City-Wide Design Guidelines that is applicable throughout the City, which were then were subsequently updated in September 2017.  The guidelines are intended to inspire thoughtful interpretation and response to design opportunities, while promoting and reinforcing the physical image of the City of Pleasant Hill. The guidelines are intended to encourage quality, well-designed development throughout the City.

In March 2022, the City Council formally adopted City Wide Design Standards, applicable to residential projects throughout the City.  The objective design standards apply to all residential projects, including those residential projects (single-family and multifamily) qualifying for expedited project review pursuant to state law, such as the Housing Accountability Act (HAA), and other more recent bills that have been signed into law, like Senate Bill (SB) 35, SB 330, etc. 

Qualifying residential projects are required to comply with each objective design standard. Importantly, the objective design standards regulate site and structure design only. Additionally, all residential projects, including qualified projects, must comply with all applicable building permit requirements, zoning ordinance requirements, and development standards such as height, setbacks, floor area ratio, etc. 

• Residential Design Guidelines and Design Standards
• Non-Residential Design Guidelines