City Commissions to Review New Design Standards for High-Density Housing

The City’s Planning Commission and Design Commission will convene a joint workshop on Wednesday, July 9 to review draft objective design standards for high-density residential and mixed-use developments.

The standards under review are being developed in response to Senate Bill 330, known as the Housing Crisis Act of 2019, which prohibits cities from imposing new subjective design standards for housing developments unless those standards are objective and measurable.

The legislation would streamline the housing approval process and increase housing production statewide.

Pasadena’s draft standards are intended to guide the design of projects exceeding 48 dwelling units per acre.

In areas where the State Density Bonus Law applies, allowable densities can reach up to 87 units per acre or more, prompting the city to update its zoning regulations and specific plans accordingly.

The proposed standards focus on architectural elements that influence the appearance and compatibility of high-density development. These include requirements for building massing and articulation, façade detailing, window placement (fenestration), building entries, craftsmanship, and material selection. Standards for large development sites are also being considered to ensure appropriate scale and integration with surrounding neighborhoods.

The city already has several objective design requirements codified in its zoning regulations and specific plans, such as maximum building heights, setbacks, and lot coverage. However, existing guidelines for multifamily projects often rely on more subjective design principles that must now be replaced or supplemented with objective criteria.

Tuesday’s session follows a series of study sessions, public workshops, and site tours held since 2023. Previous meetings addressed topics such as building scale, streetscape interaction, architectural styles, and the relationship between new development and historic or lower-density areas.

Commissioners and members of the public have consistently highlighted the need to preserve neighborhood character while allowing for increased housing density.

This workshop is informational only and no decisions will be made. Following the session, city staff will refine the draft standards and seek legal review to ensure compliance with state law.

Finalized standards will return to the Planning Commission for recommendation before advancing to the City Council for formal adoption.

The updated standards are expected to be incorporated into the city’s zoning code and will supplement existing regulations guiding residential and mixed-use development citywide.