Design Review Committee
About
To protect property values and enhance the character and visual image of Cleveland's neighborhoods and downtown, certain proposals for construction, exterior alterations, building demolitions and signs in the City of Cleveland must undergo a process known as 'design review'.
The City of Cleveland has been divided into six (6) established Design Review Regions, each with specifically identified, high-traffic corridors known as Design Review Districts.
Within designated Design Review Districts, all new construction and exterior alterations to buildings and structures are subject to design review. Outside of these designated Design Review Districts, the design review process applies only to new construction (not renovation) of retail, offices, institutions and residential projects.
To administer the design review process, a Design Review Advisory Committee (DRAC), made up of design professionals and representatives of the local community, has been established for each of the six regions. These committees review the design of development proposals and make recommendations for approval or disapproval to the City Planning Commission (CPC), which takes final action on approval or disapproval of the design. Building Permits for projects subject to design review require the signature of the Director of City Planning to be issued.
In designated Cleveland Historic Districts and properties designated as Cleveland Landmarks, a separate design review process is administered by the Landmarks Commission which takes precedence over the Planning Commission’s design review process.
City Planning Commission staff sets the agenda for meetings of each design review advisory committee and works with local community development corporations to prepare applicants for the meetings. Each committee has a standing schedule of meeting dates for review of proposed projects.
Design Review Regions and Cleveland Wards
Design Review Process Flow
*Please note: your project may not require every step outlined above; consult with staff to determine which approvals are required for your project*
Design Review FAQs and Disclaimers
Design review’s purpose is to provide design advice by the committee at the local level for the Planning Commission that benefits both the community and the environment, as well as any existing Master Plans. This is a part of the legal process to move projects forward for approval or denial. Zoning, variances, violations, enforcements, map changes, vacations, etc. are the sole job of the City’s various departments to enforce, and the planner’s job to inform.
Public commentary is due 48 hours before design review is to be considered. Please submit comments via email to the administrator and they will be distributed to the committee members before the meeting for review.
If you cannot meet the deadline for additional commentary or attend design review to listen, all are welcome to submit or attend for virtual or in-person at the Cleveland Planning Commission (CPC; held the 1st and 3rd Fridays at 9:15 am) public portion for support or opposition of a project, or at Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA; held Mondays at 9:30am) if a variance is required.
Townhomes are required to have posted signs 10 days prior to the Planning Commission. They must be placed in a visible location, recorded, and left until after the hearing. Please reach out to the administrator for any questions regarding this mandatory step and to pick up your project’s sign or get it placed.
Community meetings, block clubs, CDCs, and all other entities are advisory only and do not have approval/disapproval authority. Planning highly encourages projects to meet with surrounding communities, CDCs, and council members for a more accepted and overall understood product (public concerns, culture, etc.). For new construction that is 6+ units, CPC encourages community comment and engagement at the conceptual level. To coordinate meetings or attend a local block club, please reach out to your local Councilperson or Community Development Corporation.