Objective Design Standards (ODS) and Streamlined Project Review
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Faster Approval for Housing & Mixed-Use Projects!
Getting approval for your housing or mixed-use project just got a whole lot faster. Oakland needs more housing to make living here more affordable for all. To help review projects more quickly and objectively, we've created a new Ministerial Design Review process, which reviews projects based on Objective Design Standards.
We're cutting approval times and streamlining the application process — called "ministerial" review — for single family homes to multifamily buildings, along with a range of affordable or mixed-income housing projects.
Objective Design Standards by Project Category
Standards for 1 to 4 Family Housing or Mixed-Use Projects
The following 1 to 4 family housing and mixed-use projects are subject to Objective Design Standards:
- Single-Family Homes, Duplexes, Triplexes, and Fourplexes
- Townhomes and other 1-4 unit housing projects
- Additions or conversions to an existing building that alter the exterior building envelope to create new dwelling units. If a project creates additional units that are entirely within an existing building, the project will go through Small Project Design Review instead, see Planning Code Section 17.136.030.
For details, see our 1 to 4 Family or Mixed-Use Project Objective Design Standards Guide and Checklist(PDF, 4MB).
Interested in applying for a project? Visit our Housing Projects Eligible for Faster, Streamlined Review webpage.
What Are Objective Design Standards?
Design standards are "objective" if they can be measured, verified, and known by everyone before a project is submitted. When planning reviews use objective design standards, there is no need for personal judgment by public officials.
In contrast, subjective design guidelines often need interpretation and personal judgment. Reviews based on subjective guidelines can take longer and be less predictable.
Example of an objective design standard: "Front setback shall be at least 4 feet."
Example of a subjective design guideline: "Front yard setback should match the character of the neighborhood." This guideline requires judgment about what "character" means.
Objective design standards are expected to make planning approvals more efficient, predictable, and fair, especially for most housing projects. To learn more, please see the Project Documents section.
Additional Resources and Documents
Explore additional resources on Objective Design Standards, including factsheets, guides, presentations, and other materials created for community engagement and past events.
Review Project Documents