Interested Parties List for Minor Changes to Previously Approved Design Review Projects

The City of Laguna Beach maintains a voluntary Interested Parties List for individuals who would like an opportunity to comment on certain minor changes to projects previously approved through Design Review. Sign-up eligibility is limited to those who own or lease property that either shares a property line with the subject property or is located directly across the street or alley from the subject property.

Some changes to an approved project may qualify for an exemption from Design Review and may be reviewed administratively by City staff without a public hearing. This list allows interested residents and other community members to request notice of certain qualifying changes associated with a particular property.

When will the City contact me?

Enrollment does not mean that you will be notified about every application, permit, or change involving the property.

The City will consult the Interested Parties List when:

  • The City is reviewing a requested change to a prior Design Review approval;
  • City staff has determined that the proposed work qualifies for an exemption from Design Review; and
  • The proposed change involves one or more of the following:
    • A building addition or other new or increased exterior projection that extends beyond the existing building envelope;
    • A modification to a Design Review-approved landscape plan, including new landscaping where none was previously approved or an increase in the approved maintained height of vegetation; or
    • A modification to exterior doors or window openings

The Community Development Director may also provide notice of another type of proposed change when the Director determines that notice is warranted.

When will the City not contact me?

The Interested Parties List is not a notification service for every activity or permit associated with a property. Notice generally will not be provided for:

  • Interior remodeling that does not modify the exterior of a structure;
  • Routine repairs or maintenance;
  • Changes that remain entirely within the existing building envelope and do not involve exterior doors or windows;
  • Minor changes to a site that do not modify an approved landscape plan in the manner described above;
  • Changes that do not relate to an element that was previously subject to Design Review approval; or
  • Other work that does not meet the notification criteria described above.

Enrollment also does not guarantee notice if the City does not have a current or deliverable email address for you.

What happens if a qualifying application is submitted?

If the City receives a qualifying application, enrolled interested parties will be contacted by email and given seven calendar days to submit comments.

Comments received by the stated deadline will be provided to the Community Development Director for consideration. The comments may help inform whether the Director refers the Design Review-exempt project to an appropriate Design Review authority.

The Director has sole discretion to refer a project that is otherwise exempt from Design Review to the appropriate Design Review authority. In considering a referral, the Director may evaluate whether the project:

  • Could alter significant physical characteristics within an unusually sensitive or highly visible area;
  • May create impacts on surrounding properties, based on staff review of the project or issues identified in prior Design Review proceedings; or
  • Presents other circumstances that, in the Director’s judgment, warrant review by the Design Review Board or Planning Commission.

Comments should identify specific concerns about the proposed change and its potential effects on the surrounding area or neighboring properties.

Important limitations

Submitting comments does not constitute a vote on the project and does not guarantee that:

  • The proposed plans will be revised;
  • The project will be referred for Design Review;
  • A public hearing will be held; or
  • The City will provide an individual response to each comment.

If the Director does not refer the project to a Design Review authority, the City may continue processing the application administratively under the applicable provisions of the Laguna Beach Municipal Code.

The Interested Parties List is a courtesy notification process. Enrollment does not create or expand any right to formal notice, a public hearing, or an appeal, and it does not replace any notice or participation rights otherwise provided by law.

Sign up for a property

Complete the form below to request placement on the Interested Parties List for a particular property. Submit a separate request for each property you wish to follow.

Interested Parties Sign-Up Form

After you sign up

You will receive an email confirming the property address associated with your request. Please keep your email address current. To update your information or request removal from a property’s list, contact the Community Development Department at ncardoza@lagunabeachcity.net.

Questions about this program may be directed to Nancy Cardoza, Administrative Assistant at ncardoza@lagunabeachcity.net or (949) 497-0723.