Can I submit the form electronically and is an e-signature valid?

Yes. Electronic signatures are valid under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and by UETA in most states, provided intent, consent, attribution, and record retention requirements are met. Verify municipal portal rules for accepted signature types.

Is notarization or witness required for this application?

Notarization and witness requirements vary by jurisdiction and by the document being submitted; some jurisdictions accept electronically notarized or remotely notarized documents while others require in-person acknowledgement. Check your local planning department’s filing instructions.

What if I find an error after I submitted the application?

Contact the intake office immediately; many jurisdictions allow administrative amendments or a supplemental resubmittal. Significant changes may require a new filing or an amended application according to local rules.

Who is authorized to sign the application?

The authorized signer is typically the property owner or an authorized agent with written authorization. Some jurisdictions require notarized owner consent for agent signatures; confirm authority requirements before signing.

Which attachments are most often missing?

Commonly missing items include complete plan sets, dimensioned elevations, materials specifications, and required technical reports. Use the jurisdiction’s checklist to verify each required exhibit before filing.

How long will the review take and can I appeal a decision?

Review times vary; expect administrative checks within days and substantive review within weeks. Decisions can typically be appealed under local code; appeal timelines and procedures are governed by municipal ordinances and board rules.

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Design Review Application Form

Design Review Application Form

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

Design Review Application Form

This Design Review Application (the "Application") is submitted to request formal review of proposed design work at the location noted below. Completion and acceptance of this Application and payment of required fees constitute authorization to proceed with administrative intake and scheduling of review proceedings.

Whereas

WHEREAS, Applicant seeks review and approval of proposed alterations, additions, or new construction affecting the exterior appearance of the property identified herein; and

WHEREAS, Review Authority performs design review and issues determinations, conditions, or approvals pursuant to its design review standards and applicable regulations; and

WHEREAS, Applicant agrees to comply with application requirements, pay review fees, and accept any conditions reasonably related to protecting public health, safety, and established design standards.

Applicant Information

Applicant Name Company / Organization (if applicable) Contact Email Contact Phone Mailing Address

Project Information

Project Title

Site Address:

Parcel / Lot Number: Zoning District:

Scope of Work

Describe proposed work in sufficient detail for review (include square footage, materials, colors, elevations, and changes to site)

Design Elements & Materials

Select all elements included in this submission:

Façade alterations Signage Landscaping

New construction Lighting Other:

Attachments Checklist

The following items must accompany this Application. Check each included item:

Site plan / survey

Elevation drawings (floor plans, elevations, sections)

Material samples and color references

Photographs of existing conditions

Fee payment confirmation

Review Type & Schedule

Review Type: Administrative Review Full Board Review Consultant Review

Proposed Construction Start Date: Estimated Completion Date:

Payment Terms

Applicant shall pay the required design review fee and any supplemental consultant fees as set forth below. Fees are non-refundable except as expressly provided by the Review Authority's fee policy.

Total Review Fee Payment Schedule Late Payment Fee

Invoices unpaid after the due date shall accrue the late payment terms above. Applicant remains responsible for costs of collection, including reasonable attorney's fees if the account is referred for collection.

Term and Termination

This Application and any agreement to provide review services are effective as of the date of signature below and shall remain in effect until final disposition of the Application or earlier termination as provided herein.

Review Services Start Date: Anticipated End Date:

Notice Period for Termination

Either party may terminate review services for material breach if such breach is not cured within the notice period. Termination does not relieve Applicant of obligations to pay fees for services performed prior to termination.

Confidentiality

The Review Authority and Applicant acknowledge that certain submitted design materials may contain proprietary information. Subject to applicable public records laws and regulatory disclosure obligations, the Review Authority shall treat submitted materials as confidential and shall not disclose proprietary technical or financial information to third parties except as necessary to perform review functions or as required by law. Applicant must clearly mark materials designated confidential at time of submission and provide a written statement of reasons for confidentiality. Marking materials confidential does not create an exemption from disclosure under governing law.

Governing Law

This Application, and any agreement arising from its acceptance, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state in which the property is located, without regard to conflict of law principles.

Entire Agreement

This Application together with any schedules, attachments, and fee invoices constitutes the entire agreement between Applicant and Review Authority with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior negotiations, representations, or agreements, whether written or oral, concerning the subject matter.

Applicant Certification

By signing below, Applicant certifies that the information contained in this Application and all attachments is true and accurate to the best of Applicant's knowledge, that Applicant has the authority to submit this Application, and that Applicant will comply with any conditions of approval. Applicant understands that submission of incomplete or false information may result in delay, denial, or revocation of approval.

Authorization (check to certify)

I certify under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.

Additional Notes

Comments or special instructions for reviewers

Applicant Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Review Authority Printed Name:

By:

Date:

What the Design Review Application Form Is and when it applies

The Design Review Application Form is a written submission used to request formal review of proposed building, site, landscape, or façade changes by a municipal or agency design review body. It typically collects project identifiers, site plans, elevations, materials and finishes, landscape and grading information, and statements about zoning and code compliance. Local planning or design commissions use the form to determine whether a proposal meets objective design standards, historic or overlay-district requirements, and any applicable environmental or accessibility regulations before issuing approvals, conditions, or permit clearances.

Why a complete, accurate application matters

A well-prepared Design Review Application expedites review, reduces questions and rounds of revision, and creates an official record of design intent and conditions. It helps the applicant demonstrate compliance with zoning, accessibility, and local design standards and documents decisions that support later permit and construction steps.

Who typically completes and reviews this application

Different stakeholders may need separate copies; signatory authority, attachments, and submission method are often specified by the local jurisdiction.

Architects and designers who prepare drawings, ensure code alignment, and coordinate technical exhibits throughout the review.
Property owners and developers submitting project scope, budget-related details, and authorization for construction or alterations.
Municipal planners, design review boards, and agency reviewers who check compliance and provide conditions or approvals.

Step-by-step: completing and submitting the application

Follow these steps in order to reduce processing time and avoid resubmission requests.

01

Prepare materials: Assemble plans, photos, and reports before starting the form.
02

Complete form fields: Enter data precisely and attach required exhibits.
03

Confirm signatures: Ensure authorized signer signs and dates correctly.
04

Submit and track: File via the designated portal or office and note receipt number.

Where the application goes and what happens next

After submission the file follows a review path that typically includes administrative completeness checks, technical review, and advisory or public hearings where required.

Intake Office: Planning department logs application and assigns a case number.
Completeness Check: Staff confirms required attachments and fees are present.
Technical Review: Zoning, engineering, and design reviewers evaluate compliance.
Decision or Hearing: Board issues approval, denial, or conditional approval with revisions.

Digital workflow settings to streamline submissions

Configure your electronic submission workflow to match the local intake requirements and reduce manual handling.

Field	Configuration
Required Attachments	Make PDFs mandatory for plan sets and photos.
Signature Type	Allow typed and drawn e-signatures; require authentication for official approvals.
Notifications	Enable email and SMS alerts for status changes.
Version Control	Use file naming conventions and version fields for plan resubmissions.

Technical considerations for online completion and submission

Check the jurisdiction’s published technical requirements and integrate with office systems such as document management or project trackers to maintain an audit record.

PDF and DOCX: Most portals accept PDF; preserve vector plans in PDF format.
File Size: Compress large plan sets to meet upload limits.
Authentication: Use multi-factor or verified email per portal rules.

Core components every professional design review application includes

A complete submission organizes essential documents so reviewers can evaluate site planning, massing, materials, landscape, and technical compliance without follow-up requests.

Site Plan

A scaled site plan showing property lines, existing and proposed structures, setbacks, driveways, curb cuts, parking, and landscape areas; include dimensions, north arrow, scale bar, and zoning overlays to allow code verification by reviewers.

Elevations

Building elevations for each façade indicating heights, materials, fenestration, roof form, and trim details; provide scale and material callouts so design consistency and massing can be assessed against guidelines.

Materials Specification

A schedule of exterior materials, finishes, colors, and manufacturer product sheets or samples; clarity here reduces ambiguity and prevents conditional approvals requiring resubmission.

Landscape Plan

Planting plans, species lists, irrigation notes, and hardscape details demonstrating compliance with landscape standards, tree protection rules, and stormwater best practices as required by local code.

Accessibility & Code Notes

Statements and drawings showing ADA routes, accessible entrances, and applicable code sections to confirm compliance with accessibility and life-safety requirements during design review.

Supporting Reports

Required technical exhibits such as stormwater calculations, geotechnical summaries, or historic resource assessments; these reports often determine whether discretionary hearings or environmental review are needed.

Supporting file types and how to format them

Provide files in stable, reviewer-friendly formats and include a clear index listing each attachment and its purpose.

PDF and DOCX

Submit plan sets, narrative statements, and checklists as PDF/A or standard PDF; text attachments such as narratives may also be accepted in DOCX when requested by the jurisdiction.

Plan Set

Include a consolidated, bookmarked PDF of the full plan set with numbered sheets, a cover sheet, and a table of contents for quick reviewer navigation.

Technical Reports

Attach separate PDFs for geotechnical, drainage, traffic, and arborist reports; mark confidential information clearly if withholding is requested.

Photographs

Provide high-resolution site and context photos named by view and date; include a photo index to match viewpoints to plan callouts.

Practical tips to avoid processing delays

Adopt these practices to reduce review cycles, questions, and resubmissions.

Pre-application consultation

Request a pre-application meeting with planning staff to review preliminary designs, clarify submittal expectations, and identify potential code or historic issues before formal filing.

Consistent file naming

Use standardized file names and sheet numbers across revisions so reviewers can quickly compare versions and identify changes without searching multiple folders.

Quality control review

Have a second reviewer check the application against the jurisdiction’s checklist to catch missing exhibits, mismatched dates, or signature errors before submission.

Document cross-referencing

Reference plan sheet numbers in narratives and reports to make it easy for reviewers to locate details and reduce back-and-forth clarification requests.

Typical review deadlines and timing expectations

Timelines vary by jurisdiction; use these common checkpoints to estimate project timing and schedule communications.

Initial completeness check:

Typically 5–15 business days after filing depending on workload and portal processing.

Staff review period:

Commonly 20–60 calendar days for technical review and comments; complex projects take longer.

Public notice period:

Notices are often posted 10–21 days before hearings to meet local notice requirements.

Board hearing schedule:

Hearing dates depend on board calendars; monthly boards can add 30 days to the timeline.

Final decision issuance:

Decisions or conditional approvals are usually issued within 5–30 days after the hearing.

Key milestones in the design review lifecycle

A sequential view of the most important stages helps applicants plan for submittal windows, reviews, hearings, and appeals.

01

Application Filed

Submission timestamp and intake registration; starts the official review clock.

02

Completeness Determination

Staff confirms required documents and fee payment or issues a deficiency letter.

03

Public Notice or Circulation

Neighbors and agencies are notified and given time to review or comment.

04

Decision and Conditions

Board or staff issues approval, denial, or conditions requiring revision and resubmittal.

Essential data fields reviewers expect to find

Applicant Name: Full legal name

Contact Info: Phone and verified email

Parcel ID: Assessor parcel or lot number

Project Description: Concise scope statement

Attachments: List of included exhibits

Certification: Signed authorization statement

Consequences of incomplete or incorrect submissions

Permit Delay: Additional review cycles

Denial: Application rejection

Fines: Administrative penalties possible

Rework Costs: Design revisions and consultant fees

Public Appeals: Extended timeline from appeals

Invalid Signature: Signature defects can void filings

Common pitfalls to avoid

Missing or mismatched addresses or parcel numbers that prevent reviewers from locating the site or matching tax records cause avoidable delays.
Unclear or low-resolution plan scans that obscure dimensions, elevations, or material callouts often lead to requests for resubmittal.
Submitting narrative descriptions without referenced plan sheet numbers makes it difficult for reviewers to verify assertions and prolongs review time.
Using multiple, inconsistent file versions without a single consolidated plan set forces reviewers to reconcile differences and increases the risk of conditional approvals.

Real-world examples of streamlined design review submissions

These brief examples show how applicants and organizations reduced review cycles by preparing complete, well-documented submissions.

Martin Properties — streamlined online filing

Tim Martin’s property management firm moved to online applications to process approvals faster.

The firm consolidated plan sets and checklists.
As a result, the team reported fewer resubmissions and consistent documentation for permit issuance, enabling projects to proceed on schedule while maintaining compliance and audit trails.

Optica Ventures — clarity through standardized exhibits

Optica Ventures standardized its submission package with a cover sheet and index.

This reduced reviewer questions.
The company found that a predictable, complete file package shortened staff review times and improved coordination across design, permitting, and construction teams.

Typical eSignature vendor pricing and capabilities for form submission

Compare common capabilities and starting prices for e-signature platforms used to collect signatures and manage municipal design review applications.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial, no card required	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor
Bulk Send	Yes (Business Premium)	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan

Frequently asked questions about the Design Review Application Form

Answers to common questions about e-signatures, notarization, corrections, signatory authority, and timing for design review submissions.

Need help? Contact support

Can I submit the form electronically and is an e-signature valid?
Yes. Electronic signatures are valid under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and by UETA in most states, provided intent, consent, attribution, and record retention requirements are met. Verify municipal portal rules for accepted signature types.
Is notarization or witness required for this application?
Notarization and witness requirements vary by jurisdiction and by the document being submitted; some jurisdictions accept electronically notarized or remotely notarized documents while others require in-person acknowledgement. Check your local planning department’s filing instructions.
What if I find an error after I submitted the application?
Contact the intake office immediately; many jurisdictions allow administrative amendments or a supplemental resubmittal. Significant changes may require a new filing or an amended application according to local rules.
Who is authorized to sign the application?
The authorized signer is typically the property owner or an authorized agent with written authorization. Some jurisdictions require notarized owner consent for agent signatures; confirm authority requirements before signing.
Which attachments are most often missing?
Commonly missing items include complete plan sets, dimensioned elevations, materials specifications, and required technical reports. Use the jurisdiction’s checklist to verify each required exhibit before filing.
How long will the review take and can I appeal a decision?
Review times vary; expect administrative checks within days and substantive review within weeks. Decisions can typically be appealed under local code; appeal timelines and procedures are governed by municipal ordinances and board rules.

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