The Planning Commission and the Department of Planning and Development have released an updated version of their popular comprehensive A Guide to Building a Backyard Cottage which helps a homeowner successfully design and build a backyard cottage. The Guide now reflects the December 2009 legislation allowing backyard cottages citywide.
Citywide Design Guidelines Update
The City’s design guidelines, entitled Design Review: Guidelines for Multifamily and Commercial Buildings, have been the cornerstone of the Design Review Program since 1994. In 2008 DPD initiated a process to update the 16-year-old citywide guidelines, and is now releasing a first draft for public review.
