Camarillo Municipal Code Ch. 19.41 Design Standards for Residential Structures

The purpose of this chapter is to establish objective design standards for all new residential structures and structures accessory to residential structures in response to state law limiting the imposition of nonobjective design standards on residential projects. The city recognizes the importance of housing production to address the housing crisis in the state and establishes the following standards to provide greater certainty in residential project development.

(Ord. No. 2030, § 4(Exh. A), 5-14-2025)

standards for residential structures and accessory structures.

The following standards apply to all new residential structures intended for human habitation and for all structures accessory to new residential structures:

A. Paint. Residential structures must include two colors; one for the main wall color and another for architectural trim pieces. The paint treatment must be applied along all window surrounds, and on all wall façades of all elevations. Rust-inhibitive paint must be used for all exterior metal building surfaces to prevent corrosion and release of metal contaminants into the storm drain system.

B. Roof. The roofs on any new structure must be pitched covered in clay barrel or concrete roofing tile with a minimum 3:12 pitch. Roof color must be gray, brown, or natural clay. Mansard roofs are not permitted.

C. Elevation materials. A minimum of three different materials must be used on all building elevations, consisting of brick, stone, fiber cement siding, or stucco. On a single building, the three minimum building materials must be repeated on each elevation.

D. Windows. All windows without shutters on each side of a building must provide stucco over foam or wood surrounds a minimum of four inches in width, on all four sides of the windows with a minimum projection of two inches from the face of the structure.

1. Shutters. Functional and decorative shutters shall be proportionate to the size of the associated window glazing. Shutters shall be half the width of the associated glazing for paired shutters.

E. Eaves. All buildings must provide eaves of not less than twelve inches and not greater than thirty-six inches.

F. Variation. Unbroken wall planes greater than 15 feet in length are prohibited. Wall planes may be broken up by windows or recesses. Recesses are to measure a minimum of twelve inches in depth and length.

G. Architectural styles. One of five architectural styles must be chosen for each building. These styles are Traditional, Spanish Colonial Revival, Monterey, Craftsman, and French Country. Within a chosen architectural style, a minimum of five listed architectural elements must be included per building:

1. Traditional. Additional elements (minimum five required). At least five of the following elements must be incorporated in a new residential structure that utilizes the Traditional Style:

a. Substantial profiled wood cornices at eaves, and profiled trim at gable ends;

b. Rectangular (vertical), single- or double- hung windows;

c. Window shutters parallel to the full vertical length of the window;

d. Brick used as an elevation material;

e. Windows with divided lites;

f. Brick chimneys;

g. Pedimented wood surrounds at front entries.

2. Spanish Colonial Revival. Additional elements (minimum five required). At least five of the following elements must be incorporated in a new residential structure that utilizes the Spanish Colonial Revival Style:

a. Molded cornices;

b. Curvilinear parapets;

c. Iron balconies and window grilles;

d. Arcades supported by columns;

e. Corbels;

f. Decorative tiles;

g. Tower elements;

h. Arched window and entry opening;

i. Lintel type window opening;

j. Recessed windows.

3. Monterey. Additional elements (minimum five required). At least five of the following elements must be incorporated in a new residential structure that utilizes the Monterey Style:

a. Exposed rafter tails or profiled cornice at eaves;

b. Recessed windows;

c. Flat, arched, segmental, or half round window heads;

d. For windows, stone or cast stone trim at accent openings, or at sills of openings;

e. Walls with cut or cast stone accents;

f. Window shutters parallel to the full vertical length of the window;

g. Heavy exposed beams;

h. Wood balconies supported by heavy wood posts and roofed with low-pitched shed roofs;

i. Arcades and trellises;

j. Decorative tile insets.

4. Craftsman. Additional elements (minimum five required). At least five of the following elements must be incorporated in a new residential structure that utilizes the Craftsman Style:

a. Exposed, profiled rafter tail eaves, and simple wide gable boards with trim;

b. Vertical and square windows combined into horizontal groupings;

c. Divided lites in upper sashes of single- or double hung-windows;

d. Windows surrounded by wide, detailed wood trim;

e. Use of cobblestone and river rock;

f. Use of brick at base of wall or porch;

g. Exposed wood beams and brackets, profiled at the ends;

h. Tapered wood posts set on rectangular or tapered masonry piers;

i. Bandsawed and pierced ornamentation in wood railings.

5. French Country. Additional elements (minimum five required). At least five of the following elements must be incorporated in a new residential structure that utilizes the French Country Style:

a. Gable forms, linking one- and two-story masses with a single roof plane;

b. Simple cornices (with outward concaves), at eaves;

c. Wood plank shutters parallel to the full vertical length of the window;

d. Single round, oval, or hexagonal windows accenting façades;

e. Smooth cut or cast stone and wood trim;

f. Circular and segmental arches at main entries;

g. Wrought iron or wood balconies;

h. Smooth or sand finish stucco;

i. Deep set windows on front elevation (four inch minimum).

H. Within five hundred feet of the freeway or one thousand feet of a freeway interchange, new residential structures must select from the Spanish Colonial Revival or Monterey Styles.

I. In the case where multiple residential structures are proposed on the same lot, the residential structures must utilize the same architectural style.

J. In the case where there is an existing residential structure on a lot, any newly constructed residential structure must utilize the same architectural style as the existing structure.

K. Director Review. In cases where a proposed new residential structure or structures do not comply with the standards found in this chapter, an applicant may request, in writing, approval for the noncompliant design from the director of community development or their designee. The director of community development or designee may approve the noncompliant alternative design if the following findings are made:

1. Design Quality. The proposed alternative design provides an equivalent or superior level of architectural quality and visual interest compared to the objective standard; or the new residential structure is proposed as a result of an existing residential structure's full or partial destruction.

2. Compatibility. The alternative design is compatible with the surrounding neighborhood and maintains consistency with the community character.

3. Public Welfare. The exception does not adversely affect public health, safety, or welfare.

(Ord. No. 2030, § 4(Exh. A), 5-14-2025)