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Council adopts commercial color palette and administrative repaint rules for new and repainted commercial buildings
Summary
The council approved a resolution adopting a city color palette for commercial zoning districts; the standard applies to new commercial construction and to repainting of existing commercial buildings going forward (not retroactive). Repaint permits are reviewed by staff at no fee and are appealable to the Planning Commission.
The City Council adopted a resolution on May 20 establishing a city‑approved color palette and a permitting approach for painting commercial properties.
Planning Manager David Burletic told council the ordinance amendment (first reading completed May 6) sets standards for paint selection on new commercial construction and for repainting existing commercial buildings. The palette was presented as a set of primary colors and acceptable trim palettes; staff said the resolution route enables the color list to be updated by council resolution rather than repeated ordinance amendments.
Burletic emphasized the policy is not retroactive: existing buildings are not required to change paint colors unless the owner chooses to repaint or when a property requires a permit or other entitlement; graffiti abatement to return a building to its prior color would not trigger the new palette. Staff also confirmed repaint permit application reviews are processed at no fee and applicants may appeal staff decisions to the Planning Commission and then to City Council.
Council discussed particular palette choices and approved the resolution unanimously. Several members suggested the city offer incentives for voluntary repainting of visible commercial properties but no specifics were directed; staff said such programs could be studied and brought back if council wished.
Outcome: Resolution adopting the commercial color palette approved; implementation begins when the zoning amendments take effect per ordinance timing.
