Design Standards
Multi-Family and Mixed-Use Objective Design Standards
On June 9, 2026, the City of Sierra Madre City Council introduced Objective Design Standards (ODS) for Multi-Family and Mixed-Use development and on June 23, 2026, the ODS were officially adopted. The final adopted document is linked below.
The ODS were adopted under Ordinance No. 1495, which also includes amendments to Sierra Madre's Zoning Code (Title 17 of the Sierra Madre Municipal Code). The purpose of amending the zoning code is to incorporate the ODS by reference and require that ODS prevail wherever in conflict with the Zoning Code.
Purpose and Background
The State of California has adopted recent legislation to address the State‐wide housing shortage and now requires a streamlined process for specific residential developments. With assistance from The Arroyo Group, Onyx Architects, and the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments, the City of Sierra Madre has developed draft objective design standards that will comply with State law while continuing the City’s legacy of high‐quality and cohesive architectural design. This effort was funded through the Southern California Association of Governments Regional Early Action Program 2.0 Subregional Partnership.
Sierra Madre has relied on both subjective and objective design direction located within the City’s Municipal Code and its discretionary review processes when considering residential or mixed‐use development projects. Subjective design guidelines demonstrate preferences while allowing discretion and flexibility, and objective standards are those that involve no personal judgment by a public official or decision maker. The proposed work effort has adapted existing high-quality multifamily design within Sierra Madre as context for a set of objective design standards intended to provide clear and quantifiable direction to ensure that future development is compatible with the surrounding properties, quality materials are used, and building form and scale are appropriate to the site.
The new objective design standards will supersede existing standards found in the City’s Municipal Code for SB 35 and SB 330 projects. Existing zoning will continue to regulate building height, setbacks, density, etc., while the new objective design standards will regulate such criteria as site layout, building orientation, architectural elements, pedestrian connections, etc. to ensure that new housing maintains a design quality reflective of Sierra Madre's foothill village atmosphere.
Without these changes and tools, the City will have little control over the design of future housing developments. The Planning Commission and City Council would continue to review projects under the current design guidelines but would not be able to deny a project based on noncompliance with subjective standards or findings. The Objective Design Standards enables the City to shape the design of new housing proposals based on the standards developed through this process.
City Council Meeting #2
On June 23, 2026, the City Council reviewed and adopted the Objective Design Standards. The item was considered, as part of Ordinance No. 1495, under the Consent Calendar (Item #10-G).
City Council Meeting #1
On June 9, 2026, the City Council reviewed the Objective Design Standards. The item was considered, as part of Ordinance No. 1495, in a Public Hearing (Item #8-A).
Planning Commission Meeting #3
On June 4, 2026, the Planning Commission reviewed the Objective Design Standards and forwarded its recommendation of approval to the City Council. The item was considered in a Public Hearing (Item #6-A).
Planning Commission Meeting #2
On May 21, 2026, the Planning Commission reviewed the Objective Design Standards. The item was considered in a Public Hearing (Item #6-A).
Planning Commission Meeting #1
On May 7, 2026, the Planning Commission reviewed the Objective Design Standards. The item was considered in a Public Hearing (Item #6-A).
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