(a) Purpose
The purpose of architectural review is to:
(1) Promote orderly and harmonious development in the city;
(2) Enhance the desirability of residence or investment in the city;
(3) Encourage theattainment of the most desirable use of land and improvements;
(4) Enhance the desirability of living conditions upon the immediate site or in adjacent areas; and
(5) Promote visual environments which are of high aesthetic quality and variety and which, at the same time, are considerate of each other.
(b) Applicability
No permit required under Title 2, Title 12 or Title 16 shall be issued for a major or minor project, as set forth in this section, unless an application for architectural review is reviewed, acted upon, and approved or approved with conditions as set forth in Section 18.77.070.
(1) Exempt Projects. The following projects do not require architectural review:
(A) Single-family and two-family residences, except as provided under subsections (b)(2)(C) and (b)(2)(D).
(B) Projects determined by the director of planning and development services to be substantially minor in nature and have inconsequential visual impacts to the adjacent properties and public streets. These exempt projects are referred to as "over the counter projects". The director shall have the authority to promulgate a list of such exempt projects under this subsection.
(C) Housing development projects, as defined in Government Code section 65589.5(h)(2) (the Housing Accountability Act), but only if such projects qualify for ministerial review under Government Code section 65913.4 or 65951, or if they comply with all applicable objective standards, and the city’s discretion is thereby limited by Government Code section 65589.5. Such projects shall be subject to the processes set forth in Sections 18.77.073 or 18.77.074, as applicable.
(D) Parklets as defined in Chapter 18.04 and permitted per permit under Chapter12.11, and signs that comply with the city’s adopted parklet standards affixed to parklets shall not require architectural review approval. Notwithstanding PAMC Sections 18.76.020 and 18.77.077, architectural review shall not be required for proposed outdoor eating and drinking service areas or signage affixed to such parklets.
(2) Major Projects. The following are "major projects" for the purposes of the architectural review process set forth in Section 18.77.070, and are subject to review by the architectural review board:
(A) New construction, including private and public projects, that:
(i) Includes a new building or building addition of five thousand square feet or more; or
(ii) Is not exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Section 21000 et seq. of the California Public Resources Code); or
(iii) Requires one or more variances or use permits and, in the judgment of the director, will have a significant effect upon the aesthetic character of the city or the surrounding area;
(B) Any multiple-family residential construction project that contains three or more units;
(C) Construction of three or more adjacent single-family homes or duplexes;
(D) In the Neighborhood Preservation Combining District (NP), properties on which two or more residential units are developed or modified, except when one of those units is an “accessory dwelling unit," as described in Section 18.10.140(d);
(E) Any project using transferred development rights, as described in Chapter 18.18;
(F) A master sign program, pursuant to Chapter 16.20;
(G) Signs that do not meet all applicable design guidelines adopted by the city council or do not conform to a previously approved master sign program;
(H) Signs requiring a sign exception pursuant to Chapter 16.20;
(I) Any minor project, as defined in subsection (3), that the director determines will significantly alter the character or appearance of a building or site.
(3) Minor Projects. The following are "minor projects" for the purposes of the architectural review process set forth in Section 18.77.070, except when determined to be major pursuant to subsection (2)(I) or exempt pursuant to subsection (1)(B):
(A) New construction, including private and public projects, that involves a new building or building addition of fewer than 5,000 square feet, and which is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (division 13 of the Public Resources Code, commencing with section 21000);
(B) Signs that meet all applicable guidelines and conform to any previously approved master sign program;
(C) Landscape plans, fences, exterior remodeling, and design of parking areas, when not part of a major project;
(D) Any project relating to the installation of cabinets containing communications service equipment or facilities, pursuant to any service subject to Chapter 2.11, Chapter 12.04, Chapter 12.08, Chapter 12.09, Chapter 12.10, or Chapter 12.13.
(E) Minor changes to the following:
(i) Plans that have previously received architectural review approval;
(ii) Previously approved planned community district development plans;
(iii) Plans that have previously received site and design approval;
(iv) Previously approved plans for projects requiring council approval pursuant to a contractual agreement, resolution, motion, action or uncodified ordinance;
(v) Existing structures requiring council site and design approval or approval pursuant to a contractual agreement, resolution, motion, action, or uncodified ordinance.
As used in this subsection (b)(3)(E), the term "minor" means a change that is of little visual significance, does not materially alter the appearance of previously approved improvements, is not proposed for the use of the land in question, and does not alter the character of the structure involved. If the cumulative effect of multiple minor changes would result in a major change, a new application for Architectural Review approval of a major project, Site and Design approval, Planned Community District approval, or other applicable approval is required.
(F) Any changes to previously approved plans requiring architectural review as a minor project as part of the conditions of a permit or approval.
(c) Preliminary Review
For the purpose of securing the advice of the architectural review board prior to making an application for the board's recommendation on a project, an applicant, upon paying a preliminary application fee, as set forth in the municipal fee schedule, may bring a design before the board for preliminary review. If the applicant wishes to proceed with the project, he or she must then file an application and pay a regular application fee. The comments of the architectural review board members during a preliminary review shall not be binding on their formal recommendation.
(d) Findings
Neither the director, nor the city council on appeal, shall grant architectural review approval, unless it is found that each of the following applicable findings is met:
(1) The design is consistent with applicable provisions of the Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Code, coordinated area plans (including compatibility requirements), and any relevant design guides.
(2) The project has a unified and coherent design, that:
(A) Creates an internal sense of order and desirable environment for occupants, visitors, and the general community,
(B) Preserves, respects and integrates existing natural features that contribute positively to the site and the historic character including historic resources of the area when relevant,
(C) Is consistent with the context-based design criteria of the applicable zone district,
(D) Provides harmonious transitions in scale, mass and character to adjacent land uses and land use designations,
(E) Enhances living conditions on the site (if it includes residential uses) and in adjacent residential areas.
(3) The design is of high aesthetic quality, using high quality, integrated materials and appropriate construction techniques, and incorporating textures, colors, and other details that are compatible with and enhance the surrounding area.
(4) The design is functional, allowing for ease and safety of pedestrian and bicycle traffic and providing for elements that support the building's necessary operations (e.g. convenient vehicle access to property and utilities, appropriate arrangement and amount of open space and integrated signage, if applicable, etc.).
(5) The landscape design complements and enhances the building design and its surroundings, is appropriate to the site's functions, and utilizes to the extent practical, regional indigenous drought resistant plant material capable of providing desirable habitat that can be appropriately maintained.
(6) The project incorporates design principles that achieve sustainability in areas related to energy efficiency, water conservation, building materials, landscaping, and site planning.
(e) Conditions
In granting architectural review approval, reasonable conditions or restrictions may be imposed if appropriate or necessary to protect the public health, safety, general welfare, or convenience, to secure the purposes of this title, and to:
(1) Promote the internal integrity of the design of the project;
(2) Assure compatibility of the proposed project's design with its site and surroundings;
(3) Minimize the environmental effects of the proposed project; provided, however, that the architectural review board's sole responsibility with respect to the storage of hazardous materials is to require compliance with Title 17 (Hazardous Materials Storage).
(f) Application Review and Action
Applications for Architectural Review shall be reviewed and acted upon as set forth in Section 18.77.070 (Architectural Review Process).
(g) Phased Projects and Enforcement of Approval Conditions
An application for a phased project may be submitted and a specific development schedule may be considered and approved. In no event, however, shall such a development schedule exceed five years from the original date of approval. Approved project plans and conditions of approval imposed through the architectural review process shall be enforceable as approved unless the application is revised or withdrawn in accordance with this title.
(h) Architectural Review Approval Prior to Demolition
No building demolition, except for tenant improvements or where necessary for health and safety purposes (as determined by the director), shall be permitted on any site requiring architectural review approval, until such architectural review approval is granted by the director, including review of subsequent conditions by the architectural review board, where required.
(Ord. 5594 § 8, 2024: Ord. 5615 § 3, 2024: Ord. 5613 § 3, 2024: Ord. 5554 § 36, 2022: Ord. 5494 § 3, 2020: Ord. 5432 § 15, 2018: Ord. 5412 § 22, 2017; Ord. 5403 § 2, 2016; Ord. 5373 § 23, 2016; Ord. 4966 § 1, 2007: Ord. 4964 §§ 19, 20, 2007: Ord. 4959 § 1, 2007: Ord. 4826 § 117 (Exh. 2 (part)), 2004)