Design Review Areas

Quincy Design Review Guidelines

Quincy Design Review Guidelines (PDF)

Quincy Design Review Area (PDF)

The Quincy Design Review Guidelines only apply to the areas within Quincy that have the combining zone Special Plan Design Review Area (SP-DRA). See the link above for a map showing the Quincy Design Review Area.

• The guidelines apply to new construction, exterior modifications, commercial landscapes, and signage, which are within the Design Review Area and visible from the street. In addition, murals, streetscape improvements, and removal of trees over 6 inches in diameter are subject to design review. The guidelines also apply to signs and streetscapes/landscapes.
• The guidelines include voluntary and mandatory requirements (i.e., goals are voluntary and guidelines are mandatory, but the guidelines may have exceptions granted based on the circumstances or if the project will provide a greater public benefit).
• The guidelines apply to commercial and residential structures.
• Commercial structure guidelines include the following: building height, building width, building setback, proportion of openings, horizontal rhythms, roof form, architectural style, building materials, color, awnings/sidewalk coverings, roof projections, and maintenance of vacant buildings.
• Residential guidelines include the review of building height, architectural style, building materials, color, and awnings.
• Exceptions from the guidelines are allowed if unusual circumstances exist or if the project will provide a greater public benefit.

Chester Design Review Guidelines

Chester Design Review Guidelines (PDF)

Chester Design Review Area (PDF)

The Chester Design Review Guidelines generally apply to the areas along Highway 36 (Main Street) within Chester on parcels that have the combining zone Special Plan Design Review Area (SP-DRA). See the link above for a map showing the Chester Design Review Area.

• The guidelines apply to new construction, exterior modifications, commercial landscapes, and signage, which are within the Design Review Area and visible from the street.  In addition, murals, streetscape improvements, and removal of trees over 6 inches in diameter are subject to design review. The guidelines also apply to signs and streetscapes/landscapes.
• The guidelines include commercial and residential structures.
• The commercial structure requirements include the following: building height, building width, building setback, building orientation, horizontal rhythms, roof form, architectural style, building materials, color, awnings/sidewalk coverings, roof projections, and maintenance of vacant buildings.
• The residential guidelines include the review of building height, architectural style, building materials, color, and awnings.
• Exceptions from the guidelines are allowed if unusual circumstances exist or if the project will provide a greater public benefit.

Johnsville Design Review Guidelines

Johnsville Design Review Guidelines (PDF) (Style Book)

The Johnsville Design Review Guidelines, also known as the Style Book, apply to the entire historic town of Johnsville. The guidelines include directions related to maintaining the historic nature of the architecture, exterior siding, foundations, roofing, and exterior finish, as well as optional materials that may be used.

Design Review Process

If your project is located within the Quincy, Chester, or Johnsville design review areas and the design review guidelines are applicable, please follow these design review process steps:

Step 1 – bring your plans to the Planning Department counter (555 Main Street, Quincy), and the Planning Department will submit your plans to the applicable Design Review Committee (e.g., Quincy, Chester, or Johnsville). The committees are appointed by the Board of Supervisors and consist of members with expertise in historical architecture, architectural design, business owners, property owners, and residents.

Step 2 – within 30 days the Design Review Committee will meet to discuss the project for consistency in the context of the design review guidelines.

Step 2A – if the Committee approves your project, without comments, then you may begin work if no building permits are required. If your project requires a building permit, you must submit your plans to the Building Department for their review and approval as you normally would.

Step 2B – if your project is not consistent with the design review guidelines or if the project information submitted is not clear, the Design Review Committee will have comments and questions regarding the project. You will be informed by the Planning Department through a comment letter with questions and comments as to what aspects of the project are not consistent with the guidelines. You will be asked to correct any inconsistencies and may resubmit the plans to the Design Review Committee. If the inconsistencies are minor, and your project requires a building permit, the corrections may be made as conditions on your building permit.

All decisions made by the Chester Design Review Committee and Quincy Design Review Committee may be appealed to the Plumas County Board of Supervisors.

For more information regarding the design review guidelines or if you need help determining if your project is subject to design review, please call (530) 283-6214.