Norco — Design Review

Overview

Norco regulates architectural design through Chapter 18.41 (Architectural Review). Architectural Review runs together with zoning entitlements and is expressly tied to Site Plan Review: you submit once, and the Planning Commission evaluates both the site plan and the external design of the project. Several zone chapters incorporate Architectural Review by reference, and all Conditional Use Permit and Variance applications are governed by it (§ 18.41.04, § 18.41.08).

In Norco, Architectural Review is processed concurrently with Site Plan Review and uses the Site Plan Review submittal and procedures, plus added design sheets showing elevations, materials, and colors (§ 18.41.06, § 18.41.08).

What Architectural Review Covers (Chapter 18.41)

• Applicability: Governs development “in those zones wherein this chapter is referred to,” and governs all Conditional Use Permit and Variance applications (§ 18.41.04). Coordinate with Variances and Exceptions if you also need relief from standards.
• Process: “All of the regulations of Section 18.40 (Site Plan Review) shall apply,” and Architectural Review is submitted and reviewed concurrently with Site Plan Review (§ 18.41.08).
• Required plans: Include all elements required for Site Plan Review plus exterior elevations, architectural features, materials, textures, and colors; additional information may be required by the Planning Director to complete the review (§ 18.41.06).
• Decision maker and criteria: The Planning Commission decides (City Council on appeal) and weighs the nature of the use, site dimensions and utility, and the adequacy, conformity, and harmony of external design, colors, materials, and architectural features with neighboring improvements and any established specific plan design parameters (§ 18.41.10). Expect the review to check compatibility with applicable overlay districts and any specific plan design parameters cited in the record.

Architectural Review — at a glance

Zones/Districts where Architectural Review is explicitly required

These zone chapters incorporate Architectural Review by reference. For each, the Architectural Review chapter applies as stated; where available, a companion Site Plan Review section is also identified.

Note: The source materials identify the chapter/section numbers but do not name the district designations housed in those chapters. Verify the zoning map and chapter titles on the city’s code portal.

Chapter 18.17 — District(s) covered by Chapter 18.17

• Applicability statements: Site Plan Review applies (§ 18.17.38). Architectural Review applies (§ 18.17.40).
• Purpose: Not found in source materials.
• Typical permitted uses: Not found in source materials. See Norco Land Use.
• Key dimensional standards: Not found in source materials. See Norco Development Standards.
• Where it applies: Wherever the zoning map assigns a district codified in Chapter 18.17 (Verify with the jurisdiction).

Chapter 18.21 — District(s) covered by Chapter 18.21

• Applicability statements: Site Plan Review applies (§ 18.21.38). Architectural Review applies (§ 18.21.40).
• Purpose: Not found in source materials.
• Typical permitted uses: Not found in source materials.
• Key dimensional standards: Not found in source materials.
• Where it applies: District(s) codified in Chapter 18.21 (Verify with the jurisdiction).

Chapter 18.22 — District(s) covered by Chapter 18.22

• Applicability statements: Site Plan Review applies (§ 18.22.38). Architectural Review applies (§ 18.22.40).
• Purpose: Not found in source materials.
• Typical permitted uses: Not found in source materials.
• Key dimensional standards: Not found in source materials.
• Where it applies: District(s) codified in Chapter 18.22 (Verify with the jurisdiction).

Chapter 18.23 — District(s) covered by Chapter 18.23

• Applicability statements: Site Plan Review applies (§ 18.23.34). Architectural Review is tied to these proceedings via Chapter 18.41 (§ 18.41.08).
• Purpose: Not found in source materials.
• Typical permitted uses: Not found in source materials.
• Key dimensional standards: Not found in source materials.
• Where it applies: District(s) codified in Chapter 18.23 (Verify with the jurisdiction).

Chapter 18.24 — District(s) covered by Chapter 18.24

• Applicability statements: Architectural Review applies (§ 18.24.18).
• Purpose: Not found in source materials.
• Typical permitted uses: Not found in source materials.
• Key dimensional standards: Not found in source materials.
• Where it applies: District(s) codified in Chapter 18.24 (Verify with the jurisdiction).

Chapter 18.25 — District(s) covered by Chapter 18.25

• Applicability statements: Architectural Review applies (§ 18.25.40).
• Purpose: Not found in source materials.
• Typical permitted uses: Not found in source materials.
• Key dimensional standards: Not found in source materials.
• Where it applies: District(s) codified in Chapter 18.25 (Verify with the jurisdiction).

Chapter 18.29 — District(s) covered by Chapter 18.29

• Applicability statements: Architectural Review applies (§ 18.29.100).
• Purpose: Not found in source materials.
• Typical permitted uses: Not found in source materials.
• Key dimensional standards: Not found in source materials.
• Where it applies: District(s) codified in Chapter 18.29 (Verify with the jurisdiction).

Cross-reference summary

How the Commission evaluates design

The Planning Commission (and City Council on appeal) weighs the following, in addition to any criteria elsewhere in the code (§ 18.41.10):

• The nature of the specific use in its zone and area, and the “required utility” of structures for that use.
• Site dimensions in relation to the proposed structure and its functional needs.
• Adequacy, conformity, and harmony of external design, colors, materials, and architectural features with neighboring structures and uses.
• Compatibility with any established design parameters, including those in specific plans.

Practical guidance:

• Tie your submittal to the functional needs of your use (the “utility” test) and show how size, massing, and layout solve those needs on the site (§ 18.41.10).
• Document context: photos and keyed elevation notes that demonstrate harmony with adjacent development and any specific plan design parameters (§ 18.41.10).
• Coordinate with applicable landscaping and screening, parking, and signage standards, as those visible elements influence perceived compatibility.

Submittal content and concurrency with Site Plan Review

• Submit all Site Plan Review materials required by Chapter 18.40, plus:
  • Exterior elevations of all buildings/structures.
  • Architectural features, and the nature, texture, and color of materials.
  • Any other information the Planning Director requests to complete the review (§ 18.41.06).
• The Architectural Review package is filed and processed at the same time and under the same procedural rules as Site Plan Review (§ 18.41.08). Coordinate your schedule and team as a single filing.

Coordination with other Norco requirements

• Projects in zones that refer to Chapter 18.41 must also satisfy base development standards. Design harmony does not waive objective standards unless a variance is granted (§ 18.41.04 applies to Variance applications).
• If your site is within an overlay or a specific plan area, ensure Architectural Review materials show compliance with those design parameters; compatibility with specific plans is a criterion (§ 18.41.10). See Overlay Districts and Historic Preservation.
• For existing legal nonconforming situations, coordinate early; changes can trigger review even if the underlying use is lawful nonconforming. See Nonconforming Uses.
• ADUs and housing projects may be governed by distinct state-mandated processes; if a project is subject to state streamlining, confirm how Norco applies Architectural Review alongside those mandates. See Norco ADUs.

Information Gaps

Items below could not be confirmed from the source materials provided:

• District names, purposes, permitted uses, and dimensional standards for Chapters 18.17, 18.21, 18.22, 18.23, 18.24, 18.25, and 18.29 — Not found in source materials.
• What Chapter 18.40 (Site Plan Review) specifically requires for submittals, thresholds, noticing, or findings — Not found in source materials.
• Any exemptions or administrative pathways for minor exterior changes — Not found in source materials.
• Specific plan areas or overlay names with design parameters in Norco — Not found in source materials.
• Timelines, fees, or completeness/appeal procedures beyond the Planning Commission and City Council roles — Not found in source materials.

Checklist

• Confirm your site’s zoning and whether its chapter references Chapter 18.41 (Architectural Review) (§ 18.41.04). Start with Norco Zoning and the city’s zoning map (Verify with the jurisdiction).
• Determine whether you also need Site Plan Review; if so, the Architectural Review will run concurrently (§ 18.41.08).
• Assemble all required Site Plan Review submittals under Chapter 18.40 (Not found in source materials).
• Add Architectural Review exhibits: complete exterior elevations; note architectural features; call out materials, textures, and colors (§ 18.41.06).
• Address the Commission’s criteria in a narrative: use/utility, site dimensions and function, harmony with context, and compatibility with any specific plan parameters (§ 18.41.10).
• If your project includes a CUP or Variance, ensure the Architectural Review is incorporated (it applies automatically) (§ 18.41.04).
• Cross-check visible elements for consistency with Development Standards, Parking, Landscaping and Screening, and Signage.
• If in an overlay/specific plan or potentially historic area, document compatibility with overlay/specific plan parameters and historic context (see Overlay Districts and Historic Preservation).
• Prepare for a Planning Commission hearing and potential City Council appeal (§ 18.41.10).

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

Norco’s Architectural Review checks how your building looks and fits its surroundings. You submit it with your Site Plan Review, include full elevations and materials/colors, and the Planning Commission decides whether your design is functional for the use, sized right for the site, and harmonious with neighbors and any specific plan parameters (§ 18.41.06, § 18.41.08, § 18.41.10). It also applies automatically to CUPs and variances (§ 18.41.04).

Source References

• § 18.41.04 Applicability — Architectural Review applies in referred zones and to all CUP and Variance applications.
• § 18.41.06 Content of Required Plans — Elevations, materials, textures, and colors; plus all Site Plan Review elements.
• § 18.41.08 Procedure — Reviewed concurrently with and under all terms of Site Plan Review.
• § 18.41.10 Criteria — Commission (Council on appeal) weighs use/utility, site dimensions, harmony with neighbors, and specific plan compatibility.
• § 18.17.38, § 18.17.40 — Site Plan Review and Architectural Review apply in Chapter 18.17 district(s).
• § 18.21.38, § 18.21.40 — Site Plan Review and Architectural Review apply in Chapter 18.21 district(s).
• § 18.22.38, § 18.22.40 — Site Plan Review and Architectural Review apply in Chapter 18.22 district(s).
• § 18.23.34 — Site Plan Review applies in Chapter 18.23 district(s).
• § 18.24.18 — Architectural Review applies in Chapter 18.24 district(s).
• § 18.25.40 — Architectural Review applies in Chapter 18.25 district(s).
• § 18.29.100 — Architectural Review applies in Chapter 18.29 district(s).

Source passages

• Norco Zoning Code (§ 18.41.08) Medium relevance show source text
• Norco Zoning Code (§ 18.41.10) Medium relevance show source text
• Norco Zoning Code (§ 18.21.40) Medium relevance show source text
• Norco Zoning Code (§ 18.29.100) Medium relevance show source text
• Norco Zoning Code (§ 18.41.04) Medium relevance show source text
• Norco Zoning Code (§ 18.21.38) Medium relevance show source text
• Norco Zoning Code (§ 18.25.40) Medium relevance show source text
• Norco Zoning Code (§ 18.17.40) Medium relevance show source text
• Norco Zoning Code (§ 18.22.38) Medium relevance show source text
• Norco Zoning Code (§ 18.22.40) Medium relevance show source text
• Norco Zoning Code (§ 18.23.34) Medium relevance show source text
• Norco Zoning Code (§ 18.17.38) Medium relevance show source text
• Norco Zoning Code (§ 18.41.06) Medium relevance show source text
• Norco Zoning Code (§ 18.24.18) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• § 18.41.04 Applicability — Architectural Review applies in referred zones and to all CUP and Variance applications. (§ 18.41.04)
• § 18.41.06 Content of Required Plans — Elevations, materials, textures, and colors; plus all Site Plan Review elements. (§ 18.41.06)
• § 18.41.08 Procedure — Reviewed concurrently with and under all terms of Site Plan Review. (§ 18.41.08)
• § 18.41.10 Criteria — Commission (Council on appeal) weighs use/utility, site dimensions, harmony with neighbors, and specific plan compatibility. (§ 18.41.10)
• § 18.17.38, § 18.17.40 — Site Plan Review and Architectural Review apply in Chapter 18.17 district(s). (§ 18.17.38)
• § 18.21.38, § 18.21.40 — Site Plan Review and Architectural Review apply in Chapter 18.21 district(s). (§ 18.21.38)
• § 18.22.38, § 18.22.40 — Site Plan Review and Architectural Review apply in Chapter 18.22 district(s). (§ 18.22.38)
• § 18.23.34 — Site Plan Review applies in Chapter 18.23 district(s). (§ 18.23.34)
• § 18.24.18 — Architectural Review applies in Chapter 18.24 district(s). (§ 18.24.18)
• § 18.25.40 — Architectural Review applies in Chapter 18.25 district(s). (§ 18.25.40)
• § 18.29.100 — Architectural Review applies in Chapter 18.29 district(s). (§ 18.29.100)

• Official Norco code library