Help ensure new construction in Piedmont reflects the design qualities our community values most by completing a short online survey. We’re extending the deadline to complete the design standards survey to June 2, in order to give more residents and design professionals the opportunity to have a voice in what new housing in Piedmont will look like.

This survey is an opportunity for you share what architectural styles, design elements, and site features you want to see reflected in new housing in your neighborhood. Responses will be used to inform “objective design standards” that govern new housing – including ADUs and SB9 projects - in Piedmont.

The survey asks about:

• What would your biggest concerns be if a new home or major addition was built next door to you?

• How important are design elements like building height, window placement, exterior materials, and screening of utility equipment?

• How important is it that additions and ADUs match the style and period of the original home?

The survey should take about 10 minutes to complete and is available at piedmont.ca.gov/ODSSurvey. Responses will be accepted through June 2.

About Objective Design Standards

State law now requires cities to approve certain new housing projects, including accessory dwelling units and SB9 applications, based on “objective” standards – those that require no subjective judgement or interpretation by public officials.

The Objective Design Standards initiative aims to create clear, measurable, and enforceable rules governing design elements like articulation and massing, providing residents, property owners, and developers clear and consistent expectations for what new housing in Piedmont will look like.

In Piedmont, objective design standards already exist for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and multi-family and mixed-use developments. This initiative is developing new objective standards for one-to-four unit residential development and updating the existing standards for other housing types.

A video introduction to Objective Design Standards is available at piedmont.ca.gov/ODSBasics. For more information, visit the project website at piedmont.ca.gov/ODS.