Residential Architect in Hillsborough | Remodels, Additions, and Custom Homes
The town of Hillsborough is explicit about this: most design changes to a home require design approval as well as a building permit. The Architecture and Design Review Board reviews new homes, second-story additions, and ground-floor additions of 500 square feet or larger. Story poles are required before the ADRB hearing. For major projects, a Preliminary Review is available before design is finalized and is worth using.
Regulations change and every property is different. This page reflects general conditions in Hillsborough, not a substitute for a property-specific feasibility review.
Hillsborough Homeowners We Work With
Hillsborough homeowners tend to have high design expectations and projects that reflect the scale of their properties. Many are working on estate-level homes where the quality of the addition or rebuild needs to read as part of a coherent whole. Some are in the Wildland Urban Interface or High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, which carries additional requirements for materials, defensible space, and vegetation management. The ADRB Preliminary Review is standard practice for major projects before finalizing a design direction.
Common Project Types
Home Remodels and Renovations
Hillsborough's housing stock spans a wide range of architectural styles on large lots, typically one acre or more. Interior remodels that do not change the exterior do not require ADRB review. Exterior modifications, even minor ones, generally require design approval under Hillsborough's Residential Design Guidelines adopted in 2004 and updated over time.
Home Additions & Second Story Expansions
Ground-floor additions of 500 square feet or larger require ADRB review. All second-story additions require ADRB review. Story poles are required before the ADRB hearing: this is a physical representation of the proposed building volume installed on the property and needs to be planned for in the project schedule. Standard Conditions of Approval apply to all new homes, second-story additions, and ground-floor additions at or above the 500 square foot threshold.
Custom Homes and Rebuilds
New homes require ADRB review. A Preliminary Review by the ADRB before design is finalized is recommended for major projects. This is a non-binding early read from the board that surfaces issues before significant design investment is made.
The Approval Process in Hillsborough
ADRB review required for new homes, second-story additions, and ground-floor additions of 500 square feet or larger. Preliminary Review available and recommended for major projects. Story poles required before the hearing. Standard Conditions of Approval apply to all qualifying projects.
Total timeline from design start to permit: typically 10 to 16 months for significant additions and new construction.
Working on a Project in Hillsborough?
The ADRB process and design standards require early planning before any design direction is established.
Areas We Work In
We work throughout the South Bay and Peninsula, including the following cities. Each city links to a relevant project pathway and design and permitting context for that area.
Hillsborough · Burlingame · San Mateo · Belmont · San Carlos · Redwood City · Atherton · Palo Alto · San Jose