News Summary
The Beverly Hills City Council has unanimously approved a draft ordinance to establish objective design standards for multifamily residential developments. This ordinance aligns local regulations with state laws aimed at preventing subjective assessments in housing project approvals. The new standards focus on maintaining building quality while adhering to state mandates without altering existing regulations on density and setbacks. This marks the initial phase of a broader compliance effort, with further enhancements planned for the future.
Beverly Hills – The Beverly Hills City Council has unanimously approved a draft ordinance that sets forth objective design standards for multifamily residential developments. This decision was made during the council’s meeting on Sept. 30. The ordinance aims to align local regulations with state laws that restrict cities from denying or reducing housing development density based on subjective design assessments.
The newly approved draft ordinance revises regulations governing multifamily housing projects, adopting specific standards that must be adhered to moving forward. Under the previous system, the city evaluated housing projects individually, allowing for subjective decisions from the Architectural and Design Review Commission. However, new state laws mandate that approvals for housing projects must now depend exclusively on defined objective standards, which are described as “definitive, measurable, and consistently applicable across projects without personal judgment or discretion.”
This ordinance is the result of extensive review and revisions conducted by the Planning Commission and the Architectural and Design Review Commission since November 2024. The Planning Commission endorsed the draft ordinance unanimously on Aug. 28, paving the way for the City Council’s approval.
Details of the New Design Standards
The objective design standards focus on maintaining building quality and aesthetics while ensuring compliance with state law. Importantly, the ordinance does not alter existing regulations regarding density, height, or setbacks for developments. The proposed standards apply to multifamily housing projects that contain at least one affordable unit and include the following stipulations:
- Windows located less than 8 feet from a property line must be offset, angled, or obscured.
- Rooftop decks that are adjacent to housing must feature a setback from roof edges and a clear sound wall measuring 6 feet.
- Balconies near interior lot lines of single-family homes must utilize translucent railings.
- Materials such as vinyl windows and siding, mirrored glass, and faux-wood plywood shall be prohibited.
City Council Response
City Council members expressed their appreciation for the work done by city staff on the ordinance, highlighting its importance in preserving the community’s character. Mayor Sharona Nazarian noted that the effort involved in reviewing and establishing the objective design standards was considerable and emphasized her support for the proposal.
The ordinance represents only the first phase of compliance with state mandates. A second phase will involve hiring a consultant to further broaden the objective design standards, with completion targeted by the end of 2026.
Other Council Business
In other council matters, the City Council finalized its negotiations with the Management and Professional Employees Association regarding performance review bonus criteria. The city stipulated that employees need to meet or exceed expectations in four out of eight categories to qualify for a bonus, contrasting with the union’s proposal that required exceeding expectations in three categories. Future negotiations for a new Memorandum of Understanding between the city and the union are scheduled to begin in approximately six months.
Additionally, Councilmember Craig Corman has taken over the vice mayor position from John Mirisch as part of a previously planned officer rotation. Corman and Mirisch are set to alternate the vice mayor role for the duration of the 2025-26 term.
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Additional Resources
- Beverly Hills Courier: Council Approves Design Standards for Multifamily Housing
- Wikipedia: Multi-family housing
- LA Business Journal: Concord Capital Lands $79M Multifamily Deals
- Google Search: multifamily housing California
- Yield Pro: Palma
- Google Scholar: multifamily housing design standards
- Commercial Observer: Millennium 34-Story Tower Beverly Hills
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Urban Development
- Beverly Press: Beverly Hills Revises ADU Regulations
- Google News: Beverly Hills housing policy
Author: STAFF HERE BEVERLY HILLS WRITER
The Beverly Hills Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREBeverlyHills.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance, the Beverly Hills artSHOW, Concerts on Canon, and holiday celebrations throughout the city. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce and Visit Beverly Hills, plus leading businesses in luxury fashion, hospitality, and entertainment that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELosAngeles.com, HERESantaAna.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, and HERECostaMesa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
