As part of the design review process, projects will be reviewed for consistency with the adopted design guidelines that apply to the project. Below are links to all adopted design guidelines.
Citywide Design Guidelines
Land Use Element
Design related goals and policies in the Land Use Element of the General Plan apply to all projects subject to Design Review.
Specific Plans Design Guidelines
Below are links to the design guidelines chapter of each of the City’s Specific Plan. Projects within the boundaries of a Specific Plan will be reviewed for consistency with that Specific Plan’s design guidelines (see map above). For a list of full Specific Plan documents visit the link below.
Lincoln Avenue
These design guidelines apply to projects in the Lincoln Avenue Pasadena Specific Plan area.
South Fair Oaks
These design guidelines apply to projects in the South Fair Oaks Specific Plan area. The Design Guidelines for Neighborhood Commercial & Multi-family Residential Districts also apply in this area.
North Lake
These design guidelines apply to projects in the North Lake Specific Plan area. The Design Guidelines for Neighborhood Commercial & Multi-family Residential Districts also apply in this area.
East Pasadena
These design guidelines apply to projects in the East Pasadena Specific Plan area. The Design Guidelines for Neighborhood Commercial & Multi-family Residential Districts also apply in this area.
East Colorado Boulevard
These design guidelines apply to projects in the East Colorado Specific Plan area. The Design Guidelines for Neighborhood Commercial & Multi-family Residential Districts also apply in this area.
Central District
These design guidelines apply to projects in the Central District Specific Plan area.
Fair Oaks/Orange Grove
These design guidelines apply to projects in the Fair Oaks/Orange Grove Specific Plan area. The Design Guidelines for Neighborhood Commercial & Multi-family Residential Districts also apply in this area.
Specific Plans
Other Design Guidelines
Below are links to other design guidelines that may apply to new development projects. See the description of each set of guidelines to determine those that apply to a specific project.
Sign Design Guidelines
Where design review is required for new signs (refer to the design review thresholds in the Zoning Code), the Sign Design Guidelines apply.
Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties
These guidelines apply to projects that affect designated or eligible historic buildings and may also apply to adjacent sites.
Neighborhood Commercial and
Multi-Family Residential Districts
These design guidelines apply to projects in Neighborhood Commercial and Multi-family Residential Zoning Districts and are supplemental to design guidelines in each specific plan area except the Central District.
Design Guidelines
for Historic Districts in Pasadena
Design Guidelines for Historic Districts in the City of Pasadena, California, April 2002 with the Secretary of the Interiors Standards for Historic Preservation