Architectural Review Permits

An Architectural Review Permit is issued by the City of Foster City to ensure that new development, construction or property improvements maintain the design standards established by existing ordinances and development in the City.

The Municipal Code states that the Planning Commission must consider the overall site, architectural development and property redevelopment for all commercial, industrial and residential districts.

An Architectural Review Permit is required for all new buildings (unless a Use Permit is required), additions to existing buildings and improvements to existing properties such as decks and patio covers.

Before preparing plans for an Architectural Review Permit, property owners or their representatives should visit the Planning/Code Enforcement Division to determine if the proposed improvement is permitted according to existing applicable review standards and ordinance requirements and to determine processing procedures. This should be done prior to beginning any site or architectural plans.

Some developments in Foster City have approved prototypical design guidelines for property improvements such as greenhouses and trellises. The intent of these guidelines is to provide examples of designs chosen specifically with the architecture of the project in mind that would be approved for that development.

The Planning/Code Enforcement Division has prepared Architectural and Solar Guidelines to assist residential owners interested in improving their property. This document has recently been updated and includes sample photographs of acceptable and unacceptable examples of property improvements. (Adobe Acrobat Reader, available at Adobe's web site, is required to view the Architectural and Solar Guidelines.)

An explanation of the Architectural Review process and a detailed list of submittal requirements are attached to all Architectural Review applications. Planners are available to answer questions about the process and requirements at the Community Development Department or by calling 286-3236. You may also send e-mail with your questions to Planning@fostercity.org.