Design Review

The City’s Land Use Code requires Design Review for certain construction projects to enhance the natural beauty and the historic and rural character of the City. Design Review is often part of a larger application process.  If a non-Administrative Design Review permit is needed, the same deposit applies, whether the public hearing is with the Zoning Administrator or the Planning Commission.

Non-Administrative Design Review

The various types of Non-Administrative Design Review permits include:

  • Small Design Review:  4 or fewer units, no more than two stories, no historic designation
  • Large Design Review:  5 or more units, 3 or more stories, historic designation
  • Sign Design Review:  Signs more than 20 SF, signs in residential zoning (unless smaller than 2 SF), in Neighborhood Conservation Areas, on historic structures or sites, part of a development project, and at the Director’s option
  • Master Sign Design Review:  Signs for a non-residential project with 2 or more tenants, one main building 10,000 SF or more, on parcels one or more acres in size, on theaters or auditoriums (places of public assembly), on parcels with frontage on more than one street or alley, and non-conforming signs involuntarily damaged by more than 50% of its replacement cost

Administrative Design Review

Arcata has a tiered Design Review process in which approval is determined by the location and type of project. Administrative Design Review is when a building project falls within certain standards, and can be reviewed together with a submitted Building Permit Application. This process saves time and project costs.

Building projects that are not eligible for Administrative Design Review require design review approval by the Zoning Administrator or Planning Commission prior to building plans being submitted. Typically, these Non-Administrative Design Review approvals require a public hearing.

There are four steps to determine whether your project qualifies for administrative review. Use the Design Review Guide to determine if your project qualifies.

Zoning Compliance Summary

The Zoning Compliance Summary includes key information, designed to assist in quickly determining whether a proposed design for a building project can be approved administratively. 

We recommend that you speak with a Planner if you have any questions about whether a building project design can be reviewed administratively, or whether it needs to go through the design review process with the Zoning Administrator or Planning Commission.

Agricultural Zones

Commercial Zones

Industrial Zones

Residential Zones

General Plan - Design Element Checklists