Public Review Now Open! Objective Design Standards

The City of Newark invites community members and stakeholders to comment on draft Objective Design Standards and other zoning amendments.

The City is developing Objective Design Standards (ODS) for residential development and mixed-use projects. The intent of ODS is to provide applicants and developers with a clear understanding of the City’s expectations for project design streamlined, objective, and efficient project review process.   

The project team has prepared draft ODS that would establish a new chapter in the Zoning Ordinance — Newark Municipal Code (NMC) Chapter 17.28 Residential and Residential Mixed-Use Design Standards. This new chapter is intended to replace many of the existing additional standards in NMC Chapter 17.07 Residential Districts. Additional chapters of the Zoning Code would also be amended, as needed, to ensure consistency with the new Chapter 17.28.

Community members, stakeholders, and interested parties are encouraged to review the draft documents and provide feedback.

Submit comment to planning@newarkca.gov by Friday, April 17, 2026.

Drafts are available at the City’s Objective Design Standards website.

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