SFDR Photo

 

The Planning Commission adopted guidelines for Single Family Design Review (SFDR) on April 24, 2007. The guidelines focus on scale, neighborhood compatibility, and minimization of privacy impacts onto neighboring properties. All SFDR applications are required to be consistent with these guidelines.

When is SFDR Required? 

SFDR is required for the following projects:

  1. New single family residences
  2. Second-story additions and exterior modifications to existing single-family residences
  3. Additions and exterior modifications at the front (including street side yards for corner lots) of existing single-family residences

Some projects may be exempt from SFDR by the Community Development Director if they are deemed to be of such a minor nature that they will not conflict with the Single-Family Residential Design Review Guidelines. Exemptions are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

SFDR is required before a building permit can be issued.  Property owners are encouraged to contact the Planning Division early in the process to determine if SFDR is required for their projects.

Application Fee

The total fee for a SFDR application is $175 which includes a $100 fee for application review and a $75 fee for preparation of a notification map and list for notices to neighbors (fees are subject to change).

Impact Fees

Impact fees are required for development projects to help pay for all or a portion of the costs of providing public services to the development. Impact fees are applicable to new single-family residences proposed on vacant lots. SFDR projects that involve the replacement of an existing single-family residence with a new single-family residence or an addition to an existing single-family residence are only subject to the Housing Impact Fee. There is no fee for first 200 sq. ft. of a residential addition.

Impact fees are paid at the time of building permit issuance. For an estimate of the impact fees applicable to your project, please contact the Planning Division. 

Neighbor Notification

As part of the application process, the Planning Division will mail notices to property owners within a 200’ radius of the subject property. Notices are mailed two times during the process:

  1. After application submittal to inform property owners that an application was submitted.
  2. When the application is approved to inform property owners that the application was approved and there is a 14-day appeal period.

Next Steps

  1. Complete and sign the following forms: Planning Application, SFDR Submittal Requirements Checklist, and Disclosure of Architectural Drawings Agreement. These forms can be downloaded here.
  2. Prepare the required submittal items that are outlined in the Planning Application and SFDR Submittal Requirements Checklist.
  3. Submit the forms and required submittal items to the Planning Division via email at planning@newark.org.
  4. Staff will prepare an invoice for the application fee that must be paid to the Finance Department. Once the application fee is paid, staff will begin reviewing your application.

The SFDR process may take up to 2-3 months. The exact timeline will depend on the completeness of the application and its consistency with the SFDR Guidelines.