Objective Design Standards

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Thank you for your contributions. Consultation on the Objective Design Standards has concluded.  The supplemental Checklists are posted for the eligible communities and can be viewed on our "Housing Laws in Action" webpage here.

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Overview

What a building looks like is often regulated by local government through a set of design standards. The County is updating design standards to guide the design of residential housing clearly and objectively.

Objective design standards (ODS) will help strengthen local control over the design and appearance of future housing developments in applicable areas of the unincorporated county. By making design standards more predictable and easier to understand, the County will also streamline the permitting process for eligible projects to comply with new State laws.

According to state law, ODS are defined as standards that:

  • Involve no personal or subjective judgment
  • Are uniformly verifiable by an established and known benchmark

In developing the objective design standards, many factors will be considered including:

  • State law
  • Board priorities and direction
  • Community input and priorities
  • County values
  • Regional priorities

Once adopted, the County can evaluate the design of eligible projects in applicable areas of the unincorporated county using ODS. Community input is critical to shaping our communities and feedback collected as part of this process will inform the development of the ODS.

How can you participate in the process?

  • Ask questions
  • Review the information on this site
  • Share the information with others
  • Participate in the engagement tools on this site
  • Contribute to conversations at meetings in your community

Please review our FAQs on the right for more information about applicable new State laws and ODS. 

____________


Overview

What a building looks like is often regulated by local government through a set of design standards. The County is updating design standards to guide the design of residential housing clearly and objectively.

Objective design standards (ODS) will help strengthen local control over the design and appearance of future housing developments in applicable areas of the unincorporated county. By making design standards more predictable and easier to understand, the County will also streamline the permitting process for eligible projects to comply with new State laws.

According to state law, ODS are defined as standards that:

  • Involve no personal or subjective judgment
  • Are uniformly verifiable by an established and known benchmark

In developing the objective design standards, many factors will be considered including:

  • State law
  • Board priorities and direction
  • Community input and priorities
  • County values
  • Regional priorities

Once adopted, the County can evaluate the design of eligible projects in applicable areas of the unincorporated county using ODS. Community input is critical to shaping our communities and feedback collected as part of this process will inform the development of the ODS.

How can you participate in the process?

  • Ask questions
  • Review the information on this site
  • Share the information with others
  • Participate in the engagement tools on this site
  • Contribute to conversations at meetings in your community

Please review our FAQs on the right for more information about applicable new State laws and ODS. 

Thank you for your contributions. Consultation on the Objective Design Standards has concluded.  The supplemental Checklists are posted for the eligible communities and can be viewed on our "Housing Laws in Action" webpage here.

  • Public Outreach Meeting Recordings

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    Thank you to all who were able to join us our first virtual community meeting to learn and provide feedback on the goals and objectives of the ODS Project.

    If you were unable to attend, meeting recordings are provided below, and additional feedback opportunities are provided on this page through the community survey.

    This meeting is not the only, nor the last, opportunity for engagement on the ODS Project. As the materials are refined, additional engagement opportunities will be identified and shared.

    Please see below for meeting materials.

    Meeting Presentation Slides

    Meeting Recording - English

    Meeting Recording - Spanish

  • New 2024 Draft Maps are Now Available for Areas Eligible for State Streamlining

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    The ODS project team has recently uploaded draft maps that highlight some areas eligible for state streamlining as of March 2024. Please note that the areas are subject to change by State law.

    Click Here to Access Draft Maps (March 2024)

  • Upcoming Public Meeting!

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
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    Upcoming (Virtual) Public Meeting on October 5th, 2023.

    We want to hear from you! The County of San Diego Planning & Development Services (PDS) invites you to attend a public meeting to share your thoughts. There is an opportunity to set standards on how housing looks and feels as it is developed in our communities due recent State Legislation. Certain projects in specific urban areas may be eligible for a streamlined permitting and review process to shorten the timeframe for development of housing. These projects are required to use objective design standards (ODS), which are design criteria that contain no subjective or confusing language. In this meeting, we will discuss project objectives, what ODS means and how they will be used, eligible projects, and how ODS will streamline and reduce barriers for the development of housing.

    This is the first public meeting of a robust outreach effort by the project team and will consist of visits to various stakeholders and community advisory groups.

    PDS is hosting this virtual public meeting to receive your input on October 5th, 2023 at 6:00 pm. (registration link provided below).

    • When: Thursday October 5th, 2023, Time: 6:00 pm

    • Where: Virtual Meeting Can be Accessed at this link below:

    Meeting Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86464157714?pwd=amFkL0U2VG91Ym1jNzN4d2U1dWJvQT09

    Meeting ID: 864 6415 7714

    Passcode: 606744

    If you would like interpretation services available at the meeting, please contact Luis Duran in your preferred language at Luis.Duran@sdcounty.ca.gov by September 28th, 2023 or fill out this form: Language/Accessibility Form

    Please help us spread the word - share this message with your friends and colleagues!  If you have any questions, please contact Luis Duran at Luis.Duran@sdcounty.ca.gov or at the following phone number: (858) 505-6677.