The panel is composed of a volunteer group of design, construction and real estate professionals who make advisory recommendations to the planning commission regarding the architectural design of buildings, landscape plans and other site features. The panels duties are outlined in Chapter 2.40 of the Municipal Code.

The panel meets with applicants and provides design critiques which encourage individual building scale and character consistent with the existing community. The panel comments on project elements such as color, mass, architectural expression, view lines, and site landscaping. The design review panel reviews the architecture and landscape architecture of all commercial projects and signage and residential projects within scenic corridors, the Old Topanga/Highlands Overlay Areas, proposed subdivisions, hillside developments, and other projects the community development director or planning commission deem appropriate for the panel's review.