From a Nov. 7, 2025 City of Piedmont press release:
Draft new “Objective Design Standards” that would govern new housing construction in Piedmont are now available for review and comment: Submit comments to Kevin Jackson, Planning & Building Director @ kjackson@piedmont.ca.gov. Comments due December 7, 2025
Draft Objective Design Standards
A year and a half in development, the Draft Objective Design Standards aim to create clear, measurable, and enforceable rules governing design elements like articulation and massing, providing residents, property owners, and developers clear and consistent expectations for what new housing in Piedmont will look like.
While not dictating specific architectural styles, the draft standards are designed to result in housing consistent with what already exists in Piedmont – maintaining architectural interest through form, articulation, step backs, and other structural detail.
Draft Objective Design Standards reflect community feedback and existing design guidelines
State law now requires cities to approve certain new housing proposals, including accessory dwelling units and SB9 applications, based on “objective” standards – those that require no subjective judgement or interpretation by public officials.
Unlike the traditional design review process, these state-mandated “ministerial” permits cannot take into account public comments and do not come to the Planning Commission for approval at a public meeting.
When developing the Objective Design Standards, the project team – which included a Planning Commission subcommittee – started with Piedmont’s existing Design Review guidelines and looked at how they could be translated into objective, measurable rules.
The draft Objective Design Standards were also informed by community feedback received at two open house events, an online survey, and two Planning Commission study sessions. Proposed rules governing driveways and window placement reflect common concerns about safety and privacy.
Comments due December 7
In Piedmont, objective design standards already exist for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and multi-family and mixed-use developments. This initiative is developing new objective standards for one-to-four unit residential development and updating the existing standards for other housing types.
The draft Objective Design Standards include:
- Vehicular access and parking standards
- Site grading standards, particularly for development on steep lots
- Standards for converting an existing single-family home to a duplex
- Standards intended to enhance privacy
- Standards for balconies, decks, private, and semi-private open spaces
- Façade articulation standards
- Different configurations of how a property can be split and how up to 4-unit development can occur for SB9 projects
Community members can submit comments by email to kjackson@piedmont.ca.gov or by mail to Kevin Jackson, Planning & Building Director, 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont, CA 94611. The comment period closes December 7.
The Planning Commission is expected to consider a recommendation on the Objective Design Standards in January.
Learn more about this initiative and see materials and video from previous discussions at piedmont.ca.gov/cms/one.aspx?portalId=13659823&pageId=20484061.