Planning Division

The mission of the Planning Division is to provide guidance for the orderly development of the City and to ensure that new development is attractive and compatible with its surroundings.

In fulfilling this mission, the Planning Division performs the following functions:

• prepares, updates and administers the General Plan to guide future development of the City and the Land Use and Development Code (commonly known as the Zoning Code) to implement the General Plan;
• provides information and assistance to the public on the City's planning process and encourages public participation in all planning and development actions;
• analyzes land use and development proposals from an environmental, zoning, land use, and design standpoint and provides recommendations to City commissions and the City Council;
• monitors and influences subregional and regional planning efforts and policies for Southern California;
• and inspects construction to ensure compliance with planning regulations and conditions of approval.

All new construction in the City is regulated by the Claremont Land Use and Development Code. This code outlines the type of uses permitted on each parcel as well as the shape and character of what can be built. Some typical concerns addressed in the code include: how tall or big a structure can be, how close to the property line a structure can be located, and the height and location of fences and any other accessory structures.

The Planning Division is available to answer any questions that you may have about the zoning of properties in the City. Our public counter is open to the public 45 hours a week to answer your questions, by phone, or by e-mail.

The Planning Division maintains a wide variety of demographic, economic, and historical data on the City. The data is available for public review during regular business hours.

Claremont has long been known for its quality architecture, quaint commercial districts, and well planned neighborhoods. One of the major goals identified in the current and proposed General Plan is to preserve and enhance this existing community character and sense of place. In an effort to reach this goal, the City reviews the design of all new construction in the City. Generally, small design related projects are reviewed and acted upon by the planning staff and larger projects are reviewed and acted upon by the City's Architectural Commission.

Claremont also has a long tradition of providing a beautifully landscaped environment. Street trees, abundant parks, and meticulously manicured private homes define much of the character of Claremont. The City's first residents began this tradition by planting thousands of street trees and the community has followed suit ever since. In order to help maintain this valuable component of the City's heritage, the Planning Division and Architectural Commission review the landscaping for all new development and all major changes to existing landscapes.

In making decisions, City planning staff and the Architectural Commission use the following design philosophy for guidance:

A more detailed discussion of the City's landscape design philosophy was published as a 1995 handout.

For more detailed information on the City's development standards, click the link below.