Residential Design Standards

Citywide Objective Residential Design Standards

Overview
Recent changes to State law have limited local discretion of residential projects and now requires all residential development applications to be reviewed and approved based on clearly defined objective design and development standards.  This State mandate has prompted jurisdictions to adopt objective design standards in their zoning codes to complement or replace discretionary standards.  

The City of Millbrae has recently launched an effort to develop citywide objective design standards for the range of residential development types in the City. The project aims to preserve the distinctive architectural qualities of Millbrae’s different neighborhoods and ensure the new residential development throughout the city is of good quality, context-sensitive, and supported by the Millbrae community. The project will address new construction and additions for the full range of residential buildings in the City. This includes single-family, duplex, triplex, ADU and multi-family and residential mixed-use.

Select the following link millbraeresidentialdesign.org or additional information related to the project objectives, project team, how to get involved, and FAQs.

City Council Study Session: Objective Residential Design Standards

The City held a study session on the Objective Residential Design Standards at the February 11, 2025 City Council meeting. City staff and the project consultant team presented the project and posed discussion questions. Feedback received at the study session will be used to inform the draft objective design standards. 

The study session can be viewed on the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubSpGegZUXE&list=PLDhWOOQ5xxuxVQfekCcjG_frTd0QidMI9&index=3

Planning Commission Study Session: Objective Residential Design Standards

The City held a study session on the Residential Design Standards at the Planning Commission November 4, 2024 meeting. City staff and the project consultant team made a presentation to the Planning Commission and posed discussion questions. The Planning Commission provided feedback and engaged in discussions regarding the objective residential design standards. Feedback received at the study session will be used to inform the draft objective design standards. The project will be presented to the City Council at a future meeting. 

The study session can be viewed on the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUHxaEzWmeY&list=PLDhWOOQ5xxuyxmQfDAXqW70yPzzXz3vXW&index=6

Community Workshop: Emerging Residential Design Standards

The City hosted a hybrid community workshop on September 5, 2024. City staff and staff from Lisa Wise Consulting presented the Objective Design Standards project and conducted a series of live polls to gather feedback on different aspects of design for single family, duplex, triplex, Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), and multi-family developments. Attendees to the meeting also had an opportunity to provide feedback and pose questions at multiple discussion sessions. 

Project Schedule