Burbank Municipal Code Div. 4 General Design Standards

A. Purpose and Intent: The purpose and intent of this section is to enhance the public realm by creating attractive buildings with articulated facades that add character to the building.

B. Articulation: All building facades that are visible to the public and surrounding neighbors shall be articulated. Methods of articulation that may be considered to comply with this standard include, but are not limited to:

1. Designing the facade with a composition of multiple parts, such as a base for the ground floor, body for upper floors, and/or cap for the roof.

2. Breaking facades into distinguishable vertical elements and changing the building height.

3. Creating projections and recesses along the facade.

4. Providing projecting elements, such as bay windows balconies, awnings, and shade structures.

5. Changing building materials and colors.

6. Adding window frames and window sills.

7. Recessing windows into the facade to add depth and create shadow patterns.

8. Dividing large windows into smaller window panes.

The level of articulation required may vary based on the facade length and overall building mass. In general, larger buildings will require a higher level of articulation.

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C. Consistent Design on all Facades: All facades that are visible to the public and surrounding neighbors shall be designed, treated, and finished in a manner compatible with the other visible sides of the building.

A. Purpose and Intent: The purpose and intent of this section is to minimize the visual identity of parking structures when they are visible from streets and surrounding properties.

B. Design Approach: Parking structure facades that are visible from streets and surrounding properties shall be designed to minimize the appearance of the structure’s internal function as a parking structure. Design approaches that may be considered to comply with this standard include, but are not limited to:

1. Defining stair wells and elevator cores as tower elements to create variety in the height and mass of the structure.

2. Where feasible, internalizing ramps to avoid an angular geometry along the perimeter of the structure or partially concealing the angular geometry with facade treatments.

3. Disrupting the monotony of the underlying structure by incorporating patterns of openings and variations in color, material, and/or texture.

4. Incorporating facade projections, shade structures, cornice treatments, and other architectural details.

5. Minimize the glare and visibility of external and internal lights. Pole mounted light fixtures on the upper deck of the parking structure shall be located between internal parking rows (rather than at the structure’s perimeter). Exterior and interior lighting shall be directed and shielded to prevent spill-over lighting and off-site glare.

Example images of parking structures that generally comply and generally do not comply with the above standards are provided below.

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C. Ground level and Partially Underground Parking: Parking levels that are at ground level or partially underground shall be screened by a facade that is compatible with the design of the rest of the building. Window openings are allowed to provide ventilation and natural lighting. However, the window openings shall include decorative metal grates (excluding chain link) to screen views into the structure. Large un-screened openings into partially underground parking levels shall be prohibited. Designs where the building appears to “float” or sit on top of an exposed parking level are prohibited.

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A. Purpose and Intent: The purpose and intent of this section is to:

1. Extend the overall life span of a building by promoting durable exterior materials and construction techniques that prevent moisture infiltration.

2. Reduce the use of natural resources by promoting building materials that do not need to be replaced or repaired frequently and/or are reusable or recyclable.

3. Promote diversity by encouraging a variety of compatible materials and accent colors on facades.

B. Appropriate Materials: Durable and low maintenance finish materials are required. Examples of appropriate building materials include, but are not limited to:

1. Transparent Glass

2. Insulated concrete forms (fiber-cement block systems, plank or panel wall forms, and precast autoclaved aerated concrete).

3. Stucco

4. Stone and brick masonry

5. Metal (copper, steel, and aluminum) or fiber-cement composite roofing materials

6. Fiber-cement composite cladding and siding

7. Wood waste/recycled plastic lumber products

8. Heavy timber beam

9. Tile accents

10. Aluminum window frames and sashes with a thermal break

11. Composite window frames and sashes (vinyl clad/recycled wood fiber, aluminum clad/recycled wood fiber, and fiberglass composite)

12. Solid wood doors (flush or panel), insulated steel doors, or glass doors with double pane, insulated glass.

13. Glass fiber reinforced concrete

14. Exterior insulation and finish systems

The building industry is constantly evolving and new products are constantly emerging. Therefore, the list of appropriate materials shall not be viewed as an exhaustive list. New materials should be considered that meet the purpose and intent of this section.

C. Inappropriate Materials: Materials that are discouraged include:

1. Vinyl siding

2. Hardboards

3. Asphalt shingle roofing

4. Foam plant-ons

5. Reflective glass

6. Tinted glass

7. Frosted glass

D. Variety of Materials: A variety of exterior building materials shall be used on facades. Selected building materials and finishes shall be harmonious in design character and detail. Building materials shall be represented honestly with heavier materials (such as masonry) supporting lighter materials (such as stucco or fiber-cement composite cladding).

E. Material and Color Changes: Changes in materials and colors shall occur along horizontal lines or at internal building corners only. Material changes along vertical lines are discouraged and material changes at outside corners are prohibited.

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F. Projections: Building materials and finishes used for architectural projections, such as awnings and balconies, shall express a unifying design consistent with style of the building.

G. Colors: A variety of complimentary color palettes are encouraged on facades to create diversity and variety. If used, bold and bright colors shall be used as accents only and shall be balanced with soft or muted colors on the facade.

A. Purpose and intent: The purpose and intent of this section is to encourage windows and window shades that reduce the use of energy, improve indoor air quality, allow natural ventilation, and enhance the visual character of the building.

B. Natural Ventilation: To provide opportunities for natural ventilation, windows that open and close should be used to the maximum extent feasible.

C. Low-E Glass: Low-emittance (Low-E) glass should be used on windows, glass doors, and skylights. Low-E glass blocks the sun’s UV rays (the rays that primarily heat building interiors).

D. Non-reflective Glass: Window glazing shall be non-reflective to minimize glare impacts.

E. Window Shades: Design techniques that shade windows are encouraged to reduce unwanted solar heat. The following techniques are encouraged (but not required):

1. Recess windows and glass doors into the facade to provide both horizontal and vertical shading.

2. Provide horizontal shade structures (awnings, marquees, louvers, light shelves, or roof overhangs) on south-facing facades to block late morning and afternoon sun.

3. Use vertical-oriented shade structures (louvers or fins) on west-facing facades to block late afternoon sun.

4. Use shade structures (vertical and horizontal) that can be adjusted (manually or automatically) to provide interior light or shade, such as metal louvers or expanding awnings.

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A. All parapets shall have returns equal to the height of the parapet. Parapets used for fire separation purposes shall be visually integrated into the building.

B. All mansards shall be continuous on all sides of a building visible from neighboring properties and public rights-of-way, including those elevations facing a street, alley, yard, setback or open space. All mansards on all other elevations which are not exposed or visible to neighboring properties and public rights-of-way, shall have a return at least equal to the height of the mansard.

C. All roof mounted equipment shall be screened from view through the use of architectural screening systems which are visually integrated into building design with respect to color, material and form

A. Enclosures or landscape barriers must be provided wherever there is less than 7’ vertical clearance below stairs.

B. Stair rails shall be integrated into the overall building and site design. Thin section wrought iron, and stair rails that have minimal form, mass or color reference to the design elements within the facade are prohibited.

C. Open risers are prohibited on stairs.

A. Purpose and Intent: Article 10 of the Burbank Zoning Ordinance (Sign Regulations) shall be used to regulate signs within the North San Fernando Commercial Zone. This section provides exceptions and additional standards for signs within North San Fernando Commercial Zone. If a provision of this section conflicts with a provision of Article 10, the provision in this section shall apply. The purpose and intent of this section is to:

1. Establish sign standards for Live-Work Units.

2. Establish additional design standards that promote high quality signs that are compatible with a mixed-use and multi-modal commercial corridor.

B. Signage for Live-Work Units: Signs for each unit shall be limited to one ground floor window sign and one projecting sign.

C. Window signs for Live Work Units: Window signs shall not cover more than 15 percent of the window pane’s total area.

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D. Projecting Signs for Live-Work Units: Projecting signs shall comply with the following standards:

1. The sign area of each face of a projecting sign shall not exceed 9 square feet.

2. The width of a projecting sign shall not exceed 4’ (as measured from the facade).

3. The projecting sign shall have a square or horizontal orientation (sign height shall not exceed sign width).

4. At least 8’ of vertical clearance shall be provided between the nearest ground surface and the lowest point of the projecting sign.

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E. Commercial Ground signs: Ground Signs shall comply with the applicable design standards in Section 10-1-1005 (Ground Signs), with the following exceptions:

1. Ground signs shall be mounted on a monument structure with a design that is compatible with the architecture of the buildings on the property. Design compatibility can be achieved by using similar building materials, colors, and details.

2. Ground signs supported by poles or columns are prohibited.

3. The maximum width of the monument structure shall be 10’.

4. The maximum height of the monument structure shall be 18’ (as measured from the nearest ground surface).

5. The maximum sign area (per face) shall not exceed 100 square feet.

6. Ground signs shall be set back from interior side and rear lot lines by a distance that is equal to or greater than the height of the sign.

7. Ground signs shall be set back from buildings by a distance that is equal to or greater than the height of the sign.

8. Ground signs that are greater than 5’ tall shall be set back from front and street-facing side lot lines by at least 5’.

9. Setbacks from front and street-facing side lot lines are not required for ground signs that are 5’ tall or less and 5’ wide or less provided that that the required corner cutoff is maintained (see Section 10-1-2714).

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F. Sign Illumination: If illuminated, signs shall be illuminated by one of the following techniques:

1. Wall mounted lights that externally illuminate signs.

2. Back-lighting of cut-out letters and symbols that are mounted to the sign.

3. Neon tube lighting.

4. Internal illumination of individually mounted channel letters and logos.

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G. Box signs (or canned signs) where the entire sign is illuminated (including letters, symbols, and background) are prohibited.

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A. Purpose and Intent: The purpose and intent of this section is to minimize the visual impacts of utility and mechanical equipment on buildings and properties.

B. Locations: Mechanical equipment should be located on the roof or within the building whenever feasible. Roof equipment should be placed away from the roof edge. When equipment must be located on the ground, it should be located along the rear facade or interior side facades to the maximum extent feasible. Equipment shall be screened from public view with a combination of equipment enclosures, landscaping, and/or fencing.

C. Heaters and air conditioning units within window openings are prohibited.

D. Roof cornices or architectural screening systems that are visually integrated into the building design (with respect to form, material, and color) shall be used to screen roof equipment from public views.

E. Satellite Dishes: Satellite dishes shall be limited to a diameter of 18 inches. When feasible, satellite dishes should be located on roofs behind screening, rather than on balconies or facades.

F. Solar Panels: Solar panels are allowed on buildings (but not required). Solar panels do not have to be screened from public view, but shall be incorporated into the building’s architectural design.

A. Purpose and Intent: The purpose and intent of this section is to:

1. Ensure that planted areas are enhanced with a variety of planting materials with varying heights.

2. Reduce water consumption by requiring drought tolerant plants and trees.

3. Minimize water use by installing efficient irrigation systems for landscaped areas.

B. Drought Tolerant Plants: Planting species selected shall be drought tolerant. This standard does not apply if site landscaping is irrigated with recycled water.

C. Low maintenance plants are encouraged to reduce on-going expenses.

D. Stormwater Treatment: Planting areas should be designed to receive and filter stormwater runoff from adjacent roofs and paved surfaces.

E. Variety: A variety of planting materials and plant heights should be provided in landscaped areas. Appropriate planting materials include, but are not limited to, trees (deciduous, evergreen, and ornamental), shrubs, groundcovers, and accent plants.

F. Mowed Turf: Mowed turf and artificial turf is discouraged.

G. Mulch: Planting beds and pots shall be finished with professional grade mulch with a minimum 2-inch depth.

H. Irrigation: All landscape areas shall include automatic irrigation controllers utilizing either evapotranspiration or soil moisture sensor data. Sensors, either integral or auxiliary, shall be installed to suspend or alter irrigation operation during wet weather conditions. Drip irrigation and other low water use technologies should be used to the maximum extend feasible to reduce water consumption.

I. Planter Pots: Planter pots shall be irrigated by hand-watering, automatic irrigation systems, or irrigation bladders. Such pots shall be positively drained through an underground drainage system or use of a waterproof tray to avoid staining the pavement. If an irrigation bladder is used or if the planter is hand-watered, no drainage system is required.

J. Maintenance: All landscaped areas, including planters and pots and associated irrigation systems, shall be regularly maintained by the property owner or the homeowners’ association (HOA).

K. All exposed ground surfaces (areas of the site that are not paved or occupied by a building) shall be landscaped.

A. Purpose and Intent: The purpose and intent of this section is to provide paving materials that are compatible with the design of the outdoor space and adjacent building and that utilize measures to increase site permeability.

B. Paving Materials: Paving materials used in yards, setbacks, common-open space areas, courtyards, walkways, and patios may include cast-in-place concrete, stamped concrete, concrete unit pavers, stone, brick, tile, aggregate recycled paving materials, and decomposed granite. Decomposed granite and aggregate recycled materials shall be retained at the edge by concrete, wood, steel, or recycled headers. Methods shall be applied to assure that these materials are not transferred into streets, alleys, sidewalks, and the public right-of-way.

C. Permeable Surfaces: Permeable paving materials should be used to reduce the impervious surface area of the site and minimize stormwater runoff.

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A. Quality materials shall be used for all fences and walls. Wrought iron, wood, recycled plastic/wood composites, and masonry materials are encouraged. Chain link fences, barbed wire, razor wire, electric wire, and similar wire types are prohibited if they are visible from a public sidewalk.

B. Fences and walls shall have a quality design that is compatible with the architecture of buildings on the site

A. Purpose and Intent: The purpose and intent of this section is to provide appropriate site furniture to create a comfortable and welcoming environment.

B. Materials: Site furniture shall be designed of recycled composite materials or durable materials to extend the life of the product and/or minimize the use of natural resources. Plastic tables and chairs are discouraged.

C. Consistency: Each business shall have a consistent and unified theme for all site furnishings.

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A. Purpose and Intent: The purpose and intent of this section is to provide safe, pedestrian-friendly, and energy-efficient lighting within yards and common areas frequently used by pedestrians.

B. Lighting Locations: Lighting is required in all surface parking lots, parking structures, outdoor seating and dining areas, outdoor walkways, outdoor trash/recycling storage area, and other areas routinely used by pedestrians.

C. Pedestrian-Scaled Lighting: Pedestrian-scaled lighting, such as lighted bollards, light posts below 14 feet in height, and light fixtures mounted on buildings or walls, shall be used throughout the site.

D. Energy Efficiency: Lighting should be energy-efficient, and/or use alternative energy sources when feasible.

E. Shielding: Lighting shall be directed and/or shielded to illuminate only the intended area of illumination. Lights that spill into residential units or lots or create off-site glare are prohibited.

F. Light Colors: Lighting shall emit a white light that renders true colors. Sodium vapor, or other lights casting a colored glow, should not be used. This standard does not apply to colored accent lighting for special building elements, signs, or landscape or water features.

A. Purpose and Intent: The purpose and intent of this section is to maintain adequate lines of sight at the intersections of streets, driveways, and alleys in order to minimize accidental collision.

B. No structure, object, or feature, including but not limited to buildings facades, fences, walls, hedges, signs, lights, and furniture, may be erected or maintained in any zone below a height of ten (10) feet and above a height of three (3) feet above the finished ground surface within a corner cutoff area. The corner cutoff area is defined by a horizontal plane making an angle of 45 degrees with the front, side, or rear property lines as the case may be, and passing through points as follows:

1. Streets: At intersecting streets, ten (10) feet from the intersection at the corner of a front or side property line.

2. Alleys: At the intersection of an alley with a street or another alley, ten (10) feet from the edges of the alley where it intersects the street or alley right-of-way.

3. Driveways: At the intersection of a driveway with a street or alley, five (5) feet from the edges of the driveway where it intersects the street or alley right-of-way (see Standard C or exceptions).

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C. Corner cutoffs are not required along alleys and the garages of Townhomes and Live-Work Units.

A. Purpose and Intent: The purpose and intent of this section is to:

1. Provide a flexible method for property owners to meet their off-street commercial parking requirements.

2. Reduce the amount of land required to meet off-street parking requirements by reducing the total number of parking spaces required among shared uses.

3. Reduce the cost to construct and maintain parking facilities by reducing the total number of parking spaces required among shared uses.

B. With the approval of an Administrative Use Permit, the City of Burbank may approve shared parking arrangements for commercial uses (including uses on separate properties) if the shared parking complies with all of the following standards:

1. Shared Parking Analysis: Applicants wishing to use shared parking as a means of satisfying off-street parking requirements shall submit a shared parking analysis to the City of Burbank that clearly demonstrates the feasibility of shared parking. The study must be provided in a form established by the City of Burbank and made available to the public. The study must address, at a minimum, the size and type of the proposed developments utilizing shared parking, the composition of tenants, the anticipated rate of parking turnover, the anticipated peak parking and traffic loads for all uses that will be sharing off-street parking spaces, and the times at which anticipated peak parking and traffic loads for all uses will occur. Based on parking demand at peak parking periods, the study must clearly justify a reduction in parking.

2. Approval of Shared Parking: The Community Development Director may approve a shared parking arrangement and a reduction in the total number of off street parking spaces when they find that there shall not be a substantial overlap of peak parking periods for the uses and that a sufficient number of spaces exists to accommodate the peak parking periods of all uses. Opposing peak parking periods may occur during daytime and evening, weekday and weekend, or during other times judged to be sufficient to accommodate shared parking.

3. Off-street parking shall be provided based on the peak parking demand for all uses (as determined by the shared parking analysis) plus an additional 10percent for contingency purposes.

4. Distance from Primary Entrance: Shared parking spaces, including those located on separate parcels, must be located within 600 feet of the primary entrances of all uses served.

5. Covenant for Shared Parking: A shared parking plan will be enforced through an irrevocable, written covenant among all owners of record. An attested copy of the irrevocable covenant between the owners of record must be submitted to the City of Burbank for recording on forms made available by the City. The covenant must be recorded in the County Recorder’s office before any building permits may be issued for any use to be served by the shared parking area. The shared parking covenant must guarantee long-term access to and use of the shared parking spaces by the recipient uses. A shared parking covenant may be cancelled, but only if it is shown that all required off-street parking spaces can otherwise be provided for the properties that were involved in the covenant.

6. The number of required parking spaces for all uses, including fractions of a space, shall be added together before rounding. The sum total is subject to normal rounding procedures (a fraction 0.5 or greater counts as an additional space).