Planning & Zoning

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are independent dwelling units with complete provisions for sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation/bathroom. ADUs may be attached or detached from primary dwellings. These types of dwelling units are subordinate to the main dwelling(s) on site and are permitted to be constructed on properties zoned for residential use that have an existing or proposed dwelling unit.

See our Accessory Dwelling Units page for more information on ADU approval process.

The purpose of Design Review is to ensure that designs of projects that are subject to review will result in improvements that are visually and functionally appropriate to their site conditions and harmonious with their surroundings, including natural landforms and vegetation. Additional purposes of design review are to ensure that signs are consistent with the character and scale of the buildings and streets; that retention and maintenance of existing buildings and landscape features are considered; that site access and vehicular parking are sufficient; and that public policies for water conservation and solid waste management are considered in project planning.

See our Design Review page for more information.

Use permits are intended to allow the accommodation and regulation of uses with special site, design, or operating characteristics, or which have a potentially adverse effect on surroundings.

A Use Permit is required for any use requiring a conditional use permit as indicated on the Table 1, Permitted Land Uses by Zoning District in subsection 20.12.040 of the Albany Municipal Code. A Use Permit is required at the time the use is established, increased, intensified, expanded, modified or otherwise changed in any manner.

See Use Permit Submittal Requirements(PDF, 173KB) for information on how to apply for Use Permits.

Signs are regulated to ensure that signs are consistent with the character and scale of the buildings and streets, while promoting economic vitality. The City’s sign regulations are designed to encourage the effective use of signs in the community by maintaining minimum standards that limit the number, size, design and illumination of signs. The City’s sign ordinance can be found in § 20.32 of the Albany Municipal Code.

See Sign Permit Submittal Requirements(PDF, 171KB) for information on how to apply for a Sign Permit.

Senate Bill 9 or SB9 is a California State Law that allows a parcel zoned single-family residential (R-1) to be subdivided into two parcels, and/or allows construction of up to two primary homes per lot, if the parcel meets the SB9 eligibility criteria and if the project meets the minimum SB9 development requirements listed in the SB9 Handout. SB9 is intended to support the creation of additional infill rental and ownership housing opportunities within single-family neighborhoods.

See the SB9 Handout for more information and how to apply.

• SB9 Site Eligibility Checklist(PDF, 244KB)
• SB9 Housing Development Submittal Checklist(PDF, 187KB)
• SB9 Urban Lot Split Submittal Checklist(PDF, 175KB)
• SB9 Demolition Affidavit(PDF, 153KB)
• SB9 Urban Lot Split Affidavit(PDF, 187KB)

The city's Subdivision Code (Albany Municipal Code Chapter 22), supplements and implements the Subdivision Map Act (Section 66410 t seq. of the Government Code) which regulates the division of land to ensure responsible development and land use planning. The Subdivision Code regulates requests to subdivide a property, merge properties, process a lot line adjustment, or create condominiums.

See Subdivision Map Submittal Requirements(PDF, 208KB) for how to apply for a subdivision, lot line adjustment, lot merger, or condominium development.

(See Condominium Conversion section below for information on converting existing rental units to condominiums.)

Condominium (or condo) conversions are the conversion of rental apartments into individual units with separate title that can be sold to new owners. Condominiums can provide infill, more affordable housing ownership opportunities. To reduce impacts that such conversion could have on current renters and to ensure converted units meet applicable safety codes, the City regulates condominiums in Section 20.60 of the Zoning Code.

See Condominium Conversion Submittal Requirements(PDF, 208KB) for information on how to apply.

For more information on Sidewalk Vending, please see the Encroachment Permit page of our website.

• Planning Application(PDF, 195KB)
• Design Review Submittal Requirements(PDF, 206KB)
• Project Information(PDF, 202KB)
• Use Permit Submittal Requirements(PDF, 173KB)
• Use Permit Supplemental Questionnaire(PDF, 191KB)
• SB9 Site Eligibility Checklist(PDF, 244KB)
• SB9 Housing Development Submittal Requirements(PDF, 187KB)
• SB9 Urban Lot Split Submittal Requirements(PDF, 175KB)
• SB9 Demolition Affidavit(PDF, 153KB)
• SB9 Urban Lot Split Affidavit(PDF, 187KB)
• Sign Permit Submittal Requirements(PDF, 171KB)
• Subdivision Map Submittal Requirements(PDF, 208KB)
• Condominium Conversion Submittal Requirements(PDF, 208KB)

• ADU Handout(PDF, 533KB)
• Basic Residential Site Regulations(PDF, 191KB)
• Fence Regulations(PDF, 236KB)
• SB9 Handout(PDF, 215KB)
• Story Pole Guidelines(PDF, 83KB)
• (PDF, 188KB)Window Regulations(PDF, 188KB)

A complete list of Planning & Zoning fees(PDF, 482KB) can be found in the current Master Fee Schedule.

• Design Review, administrative review $1592.22
• Design Review, PZC review (less complex) $3637.43
• Design Review, PZC review (more complex) $9320.07
• Use Permit, administrative review $1364.17
• Use Permit, PZC review $2955.35
• Sign Permit, administrative review $228.05
• Sign Permit, PZC review $909.10
• Variance $5455.63
• SB9 Lot Split and/or Development review $4017.86

California state law requires every city and county in California to prepare a "General Plan" which guides decisions about future growth and development. A General Plan covers topics such as land use, transportation, housing. open space, natural resources, and public services.

The City's current General Plan was adopted by City Council on April 18, 2016 (CC resolution 2016-24). The General Plan and additional information can be found online at: Albany 2035 General Plan

The City's award winning San Pablo Specific Plan facilitates the transformation of San Pablo Avenue from an auto-oriented commercial corridor to a place that also supports residential mixed-use development and safe convenient facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit riders. It modifies development standards to facilitate new housing and establishes new policies to support vibrant active places for gathering and commerce. Through housing choices, opportunities for rental and ownership housing, and affordable housing development, the plan supports racial equity and economic diversity in Albany. These changes aim to attract residents and commercial usus that can support a diverse range of households and income levels.

More information can be found online at: https://www.sanpablospecificplan.org/

September 2023 Final Update on the Preparation of the City of Albany Housing Element

In a letter dated September 8, 2023, the California Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) certified the city's Housing Element for compliance with state housing law, thus completing the preparation of the 2023-2031 City of Albany Housing Element.

Over the coming years, the City will implement to policies and programs detailed in the Housing Element. An initial study session to garner City Council priorities for implementation is scheduled for October 2, 2023.

• Certification Letter(PDF, 154KB)
• Adopted Housing Element with Certification(PDF, 17MB)

The City of Albany adopted Residential Design Guidelines(PDF, 8MB) in 2009 which provides specific design criteria for residential additions and new single-family residential construction. The Guidelines provide design parameters and objectives for Design Review applications. This provides applicants with a reasonable understanding of what the community considers to be appropriate design and gives Planning Department staff and Planning Commissioners a basis for consistent decision making. Applicants may propose alternative design schemes, but compliance with the Guidelines improves the likelihood of a favorable outcome in the Design Review process.

The Guidelines are intended to promote quality design that considers and resolves issues of massing, materials, proportion and details of the project site and reflects the patterns of site development in the surrounding neighborhood. The guidelines are not intended to restrict architectural creativity or to stifle creative design solutions.

On May 22, 2024, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted to recommend that the City Council adopt an ordinance codifying changes to Density Bonus and related Housing Provisions in Chapter 20 of the Albany Municipal Code in response to changes in State law. The City Council held the first reading of the ordinance on September 3, 2024. The second reading is scheduled for Monday, September 16th.

Agendas and packet materials are available online five days before the meeting at the Meetings & Agendas page.

Mechanical Equipment Ordinance Amendments intent to:

1. Reduce barriers to building electrification by increasing the areas where mechanical equipment can be located on a lot while ensuring safety and performance requirements are met;
2. Mitigate potential impacts from mechanical equipment on neighboring properties;
3. Simplify and clarify provisions that regulate the location, installation, and performance of mechanical equipment; and
4. Align the P&Z Code with the City's climate action policies and goals.

October 9, 2024 – Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting

Public Hearing on Planning & Zoning Commission Resolution 2024-02 recommending that the City Council adopt amendments to the Planning and Zoning Code (P&Z) Code—Chapter 20 of the Albany Municipal Code—regarding setback requirements for mechanical equipment and other related provisions.

Agendas and packet materials are available online five days before the meeting at the Meetings & Agendas page.