Quick Answer: In Glendale, design review applies to new buildings and to exterior remodels and changes that need a building permit (Glendale Municipal Code Chapter 30.47). Many smaller single-family projects are exempt, including additions under 700 square feet within a two-year period, as long as the project doesn’t add a second story or add more than 200 square feet to a facade facing the street. Projects that need review are usually decided by city staff, but a project staff considers incompatible with the neighborhood, or an appeal, goes to the Design Review Board. If you’re buying a Glendale home with plans to expand, this is the first thing to check.
Why Does Design Review Matter to Glendale Buyers?
A lot of buyers fall in love with a house because of what it could become: a second story, a bigger kitchen, a master suite. In Glendale, those plans are judged not just against setbacks and floor area limits, but against how the project fits the surrounding neighborhood. That adds time, design costs and some uncertainty. Knowing that up front helps you price the house realistically.
Which Projects Require Design Review in Glendale?
Under GMC 30.47.020, design review covers:
- New buildings and structures.
- Exterior remodeling and exterior changes to existing buildings that require a building permit.
- In R1, R1R and ROS zones, street-visible fences and walls with over three feet of exposed height.
What Single-Family Projects Are Exempt?
GMC 30.47.020(G) lists exemptions. The ones homeowners use most:
| Project | Exempt when |
|---|---|
| Additions | Under 700 sq ft within two years, with no second story and no more than 200 sq ft added to a street-facing facade |
| Accessory buildings | Under 500 sq ft with compatible colors and materials |
| Detached garages | Match the existing house’s design |
| Fences and walls | Permitted materials compatible with existing structures |
One important catch: under GMC 30.47.020(G)(5), staff can still require review of an otherwise exempt project if it appears incompatible with the neighborhood, looking at setbacks, roof style, massing, scale, materials and architectural details.
Who Decides: Staff or the Design Review Board?
Glendale uses two levels (GMC 30.47.030):
- Director of Community Development (staff level): handles most single-family additions that meet compatibility standards.
- Design Review Board (public hearing): hears projects staff finds incompatible with neighborhood character, and appeals of staff decisions.
The City Council hears appeals of Design Review Board decisions from scratch (GMC 30.47.100). Public notice follows Chapter 30.61.
What Does Glendale Look At in Design Review?
Under GMC 30.47.040, the reviewer considers compatibility with the neighborhood pattern within roughly 300 feet, looking at bulk and scale, height, setbacks, landscaping, roof design, where windows go, and how the facade is treated. Privacy and natural light for neighbors are also part of the review. On hillside lots, slopes over 50% and projects moving more than 1,500 cubic yards of earth get extra attention.
What Should Buyers Ask Before Making an Offer?
- Has the seller done any additions, and were they permitted and reviewed?
- Is the property in a historic district overlay? That adds another layer.
- Is it a hillside (R1R) lot? Hillside standards and grading limits apply on top of design review.
- Does your planned addition fall under the 700 sq ft exemption, or will it need full review?
- What do nearby homes within about 300 feet look like? A second story on a street of one-story homes is a harder case.
For neighborhood-by-neighborhood context, see GlendalesBestNeighborhoods.com, including the guides to Rossmoyne and Verdugo Woodlands.
What Should Sellers Know?
If you’ve already completed an addition, gather your permits and approvals before listing. Buyers and their agents will ask, and having clean records helps protect your price. If a past project was done without permits, it’s better to talk through disclosure and options before you go on the market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need design review to add on to my Glendale house?
Often yes, unless the addition is under 700 sq ft within two years, has no second story, and adds no more than 200 sq ft to a street-facing facade.
Does a second-story addition in Glendale need design review?
Yes. Second stories are excluded from the small-addition exemption.
Who approves most single-family projects?
City staff, under the Director of Community Development. The Design Review Board hears projects found incompatible and appeals.
Can I appeal a design review decision?
Yes. Appeals of staff decisions go to the Design Review Board, and appeals of Board decisions go to the City Council.
What area does Glendale compare my project to?
Generally the neighborhood within about 300 feet.
Do fences need design review in Glendale?
In R1, R1R and ROS zones, street-visible fences and walls with over three feet of exposed height fall under design review, unless they meet the exemption for permitted, compatible materials.
Can staff require review even if my project looks exempt?
Yes. Staff can require review if a project appears incompatible with the neighborhood.
Does design review affect home value?
It affects how easily a buyer can expand, which can matter for homes priced on their potential. That’s worth factoring into an offer.
This article is general information about local rules and state law as of October 2026, not legal, tax or engineering advice. Rules and fees change, so confirm current requirements with the city or a qualified professional before relying on them for a transaction.
About Will Flannigan
Will Flannigan is a California licensed real estate agent (DRE #01951292) and Certified Trust & Probate Specialist (CTPS) with The Nell Team at Equity Union Real Estate. A former attorney, Will brings a background in property management and over a dozen home flips to every transaction, and has been licensed since 2014. A 20+ year resident of Burbank Rancho, Will specializes in Burbank, Altadena, Pasadena, Glendale, and the greater San Gabriel Valley, with fluency in Mandarin serving clients in San Marino and beyond.
Buying a Glendale home with plans to expand? Let’s look at what the lot and the neighborhood realistically allow before you write an offer.
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