Site Plan Review, and approval by the Director or designee, is required prior to the issuance of any building permit whenever:
(1) 
The value of any proposed structure, or complex of structures, in any zone exceeds twenty thousand dollars; or
(2) 
The value of any proposed enlargement, remodeling, or alteration of any existing structure, or complex of structures, in any zone except the R-1, R-1 1/2, R-2 or R-2A Zone, exceeds twenty thousand dollars; except as provided below; or
(3) 
The gross floor area of any proposed new non-residential development, and/or non-residential building addition, equals or exceeds twenty-five thousand square feet.
(4) 
Exceptions. The repair or replacement with the same or comparable type of structural element or material to any portion of an existing building, or the installation of interior partitions within an existing building, are exempt from the provisions of this Section provided that there is no concurrent exterior alteration, building enlargement, or increase in parking needs. The approval, installation, or replacement of a super graphic wall sign shall not require site plan review.
(Ord. 2348 7-31-79; Ord. 2396 5-5-81; Ord. 2510 7-2-85; Ord. 90-19 8-14-90; Ord. 93-06 4-13-93; Ord. 94-09 4-26-94; Ord. 08-05 4-22-08; Ord. 10-06 3-30-10; Ord. 23-18 9-12-23; Ord. 25-04, 1/28/2025)
The purpose of Site Plan Review is to assure that future development in the City of Inglewood will make a positive physical contribution to the community by enhancing or upgrading the built environment of the City. While the provisions of this Chapter establish certain minimum design standards, the exclusive application of only minimum standards may cumulatively result in development projects that fail to provide such enhancement or upgrading.
Therefore, the Site Plan Review procedure has been established to permit the additional consideration and application of optimum rather than minimum design standards, based on the individual needs and circumstances of each proposed development project, in addition to satisfying the intent and policies of each project site's respective zone. Site plan review submittals of new construction multifamily and mixed-use developments with two or more housing units shall comply with the Objective Design Standards and Guidelines, except for projects within Specific Plan areas. New construction of commercial developments within the Transit Oriented Development plan area shall comply with the Objective Design Standards and Guidelines. The standards and guidelines apply to commercial and residential components of mixed-use developments and multifamily residential developments. The standards also apply to remodeled buildings where new floor area is added. In such a case, the standards would apply to structures and facades which are being modified in order to accommodate the new floor area; other facades or buildings on the site would not be subject to these standards.
(Ord. 90-19 8-14-90; Ord. 25-04, 1/28/2025)
The owner or authorized agent shall submit an application with a fee as specified in the Master Fee Schedule, together with the following drawings to the Planning Division prior to applying for a building permit:
(1) 
A site plan, drawn to scale, showing the proposed layout of structures and other improvements, including where appropriate, driveways, pedestrian walks, paved areas, off-street parking and loading areas, landscaped areas, fences, walls, and enclosed trash areas. The site plan shall indicate the locations of entrances and exits, the direction of traffic flow into and out of off-street loading areas, the location of each parking space and each loading dock, all pavement striping, areas for turning and maneuvering vehicles, and facilities provided for the handicapped. The site plan shall further indicate how utilities, service, and drainage are to be provided, shall indicate the location and direction of exterior lighting, and shall include a statistical inventory of the square footage devoted to buildings, parking, landscaping, paving, and other improvements.
(2) 
A landscape plan, drawn to scale, showing the locations of existing trees proposed to be removed and proposed to be retained on the site, the location and design of landscaped areas and the varieties and sizes of plant materials to be planted therein, the means of permanent irrigation, and other relevant landscape features.
(3) 
The Director may require additional information if necessary to determine whether the purposes of this Article are being carried out. Such additional information may include, but need not be limited to, architectural drawings or sketches drawn to scale, including floor plans and elevations of the proposed structures, specifications of exterior building materials and colors used, and scale drawings indicating location and type of all proposed signs.
The Director may also authorize omission of any or all of the drawings required by this Section if they are not necessary in order to comply with the purposes of this Article.
(Ord. 2287 8-9-77; Ord. 2348 7-31-79; Ord. 2446 7-12-83; Ord. 08-05 4-22-08; Ord. 13-04 11-5-13; Ord. 25-04, 1/28/2025)
In reviewing all plans submitted, the Planning Division shall be governed by all applicable provisions of the Inglewood Municipal Code as well as the following standards:
(1) 
Adequate traffic and pedestrian circulation, access ways, parking, loading, and enclosed trash areas shall be provided or dedicated and shall be improved as necessary to avoid congestion and adverse effects on neighboring property.
(2) 
All buildings or structures shall be so arranged as to permit convenient access for the City's emergency and service equipment. Fire hydrants, standpipes, and other fire protection devices may be required to be installed and maintained at the applicant's expense.
(3) 
Loading and storage areas shall be visibly screened from public view by decorative walls and fences and by landscaping.
(4) 
Parking areas shall be separate from public view from public streets by provision of landscaped areas and decorative walls and fences.
(5) 
Parking and loading facilities for carpool and vanpool vehicles, bicycles, and related transportation accommodations shall be provided for new non-residential developments in accordance with the provisions of Section 12-42.1 of this Chapter.
(6) 
Building materials shall be approved for all surfaces of structures visible from public streets and from public spaces on neighboring properties.
(7) 
To meet these standards, site plans shall be reviewed in accordance with the standards established in the Objective Design Standards, development standards and guidelines as adopted by the City Council and by this reference incorporated herein and made a part hereof as though set forth herein at length.
(Ord. 2338 1-30-79; Ord. 2348 7-31-79; Ord. 93-06 4-13-93; Ord. 94-09 4-26-94; Ord. 08-05 4-22-08; Ord. 25-04, 1/28/2025)
All plans filed for site plan review shall incorporate or comply with all applicable zoning or development regulations of this Chapter in effect at the time of filing. However, in the event any such regulation is revised or amended and a site plan review application is subsequently extended as provided below, the plans shall at that time comply with the provisions of the revised or amended regulation.
(1) 
Applications. A site plan review application shall expire six months after the date of initial filing with the Planning Division of the City, unless site plan review approval has been granted prior to this expiration date.
(2) 
Extensions. Within sixty days prior to the application expiration date, a site plan review applicant may request a time limit extension of an additional six months by written request to the Director. A maximum of two extensions may be granted.
(3) 
Approvals. Site Plan Review approval shall expire one year after the date of plan approval by the Planning Division of the City. If a building permit is not issued prior to this expiration date and construction does not proceed with due diligence thereafter, site plan review approval shall expire and a subsequent new application and approval shall be required.
(4) 
Revisions. Subsequent revisions to the plans, granted after site plan review approval, shall not be cause for postponement or extension of the expiration date.
(Ord. 2348 7-31-79; Ord. 90-19 8-14-90; Ord. 08-05 4-22-08; Ord. 25-04, 1/28/2025)
Minor site plan revisions, as determined by the Planning and Building Department Director, may be requested by the applicant at any time within the permitted time limits. Major alterations to plans shall require a new application and shall be made according to the procedures as set forth in this Article for the review and approval of site plans.
(Ord. 2348 7-31-79; Ord. 2510 7-2-85; Ord. 90-19 8-14-90; Ord. 08-05 4-22-08)
In the event the applicant does not concur with the interpretation by the Planning and Building Department Director, or designee, of the standards of this Chapter pertaining to the requirements of site plan review or with any correction or condition imposed upon the applicant's plans by the director or designee, the applicant may appeal the interpretation, correction or condition by filing a written notification of appeal with the Planning and Building Department Director. The appeal must be made prior to having received Planning Division stamped approval of the plans denoting zoning compliance for the issuance of the building permit. The Planning Commission shall consider the appeal at its next regular meeting held not less than twenty days after the filing of the appeal. The determination of the Planning Commission shall be deemed final and may not be appealed.
(Ord. 2177 4-23-74; Ord. 2348 7-31-79; Ord. 2510 7-2-85; Ord. 08-05 4-22-08)
All improvements including landscaping required by site plan review shall be completed or otherwise satisfied prior to the issuance of the certificate of occupancy or comparable final approval for the subject property. Thereafter, all improvements shall be maintained in compliance with the approved plans, including the replacement of dead or diseased landscaping materials, except when specific improvements are superseded by subsequently approved plans. It is unlawful for any person to alter or otherwise fail to maintain any improvement specified upon the approved plans except when such alteration is made in accordance with applicable provisions of this Code.
(Ord. 2510 7-2-85)