Chino Hills Municipal Code Appendix F Objective Design

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Printed herein is the Objective Design Standards of the City, as adopted by Ord. No. 418, § 10(Exh. G), on June 24, 2025. Amendments to the ordinance are indicated by parenthetical history notes following amended provisions. The absence of a history note indicates that the provision remains unchanged from the original ordinance. Obvious misspellings and punctuation errors have been corrected without notation. Additions made for clarity are indicated by brackets.

1 - Introduction¶

Purpose

Since 2017, the California legislature has adopted and amended several housing and land use laws to address the state's housing crisis. Senate Bill (SB) 35, SB 167, SB 330, SB 423, and Assembly Bill (AB) 168 are aimed at streamlining land use entitlements for housing development projects as defined in § 65589.5(h)(2).

• SB 35 (2017) streamlines housing development approvals on infill sites that comply with "objective standards," meet minimum affordability requirements, are not environmentally sensitive, and if the developer pays prevailing wage and uses a "skilled and trained workforce" for projects over a certain threshold.

• SB 167 (2017) prohibits a local agency from disapproving or conditioning approval in a manner that renders infeasible, a housing development project for very low, low-, or moderate-income households, or an emergency shelter, unless the local agency makes specific written findings based upon substantial evidence in the record.

• SB 330 (2019) establishes a preliminary application process that allows developers to lock in city ordinances, policies, and development fees prior to filing a complete application and requires that project applications are subject to no more than five public hearings if the applicable objective standards are met.

• SB 423 (2023) extends SB 35 until January 1, 2036, and expands upon its applicability including specified hazard zones and some high fire hazard severity zones. It prohibits local governments from requiring, prior to approving a qualifying development, compliance with any standards necessary to receive a post-entitlement permit. This bill also amends the required labor standards for mixed-income projects.

• AB 168 (2020) creates a process for tribal scoping consultation for housing development proposals seeking review under SB 35.

The legislation discussed above is intended to streamline the housing development approval processes in California. State law requires cities to approve certain eligible housing proposals through ministerial processes based on objective standards that "involve no personal or subjective judgement by a public official and are uniformly verifiable by reference to an external and uniform benchmark or criterion available and knowable by both the development applicant and the public official prior to submittal." The Objective Design Standards (ODS) provide clear expectations on the design of new multi-family residential development within the city, outlining objective design standards that allow for predictable development outcomes.

The purpose of the Objective Design Standards is to give the community, developers, staff, and decision makers more certainty about what future multi-family residential and mixed-use development will look like as the City moves forward with streamlined processes to meet the State's goals in addressing the housing crisis and the objectives of the City's Housing Element. The design standards within this document are minimum standards. The ODS document is organized as a checklist that is to be used by developers, designers, and city staff to review and approve multifamily development. The project must also comply with all applicable building permit requirements, zoning code requirements, and other planning related documents.

Applicability

The ODS document provides guidance and design standards for multifamily residential or mixed-use developments that include multifamily housing in the following zones:

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Medium Density Residential (RM-1)

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High Density Residential (RM-2)

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Very High Density Residential (RM-3)

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Mixed Use (MU)

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Medium Density Housing (MDH)

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Mixed Use Housing (MUH)

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Urban High Density Housing (UHDH)

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Very High Density Housing (VHDH)

Definitions

Alcove. A recess in a wall that is partially enclosed by vertical elements such as walls or pillars.

Architectural Feature. Soffit, column, wing wall, canopy, roof eave, balcony, bell tower, spires, clock tower, cupolas, turrets, and any other similar element that does not create an interior floor space.

Blank Wall. Any wall that is not enhanced by architectural detailing such as artwork, landscaping, windows, doors, balconies, siding, trellis, metal accent panels, or similar features. Solid and mechanical doors and glass with less than 80 percent transparency are considered blank wall areas.

Brackets. A projection from a vertical surface providing structural or visual support under cornices, balconies, windows, or any other overhanging member.

Column. A vertical masonry support.

Complementary Architectural Style. Two structures are complementary in architectural style if they have the same roof form, 75 percent of materials and colors are the same (i.e., uses three of the four same materials and/or colors), and have similar massing.

Courtyard. An open space, usually enclosed by buildings or walls, which is primarily intended for outdoor use within a building or development.

Duplex. A residential building comprised of two separate living units.

Development Code. Title 16 of the Chino Hills Municipal Code, including Appendices A through E.

Entablature. A horizontal structural element frequently supported by columns or pilasters. It consists of three horizontal layers: the architrave, the cornice, and the frieze.

Façade Plane. Any stretch of a building façade existing along the same axis line, regardless of pattern differentiation or change in rhythm.

Fenestration. The stylistic arrangement of windows in a building.

Fourplex. A residential building comprised of four separate living units.

Foot-candle. A unit of illuminance or light intensity. The foot-candle is defined as one lumen per square foot.

Gable roof. A ridge roof that slopes up from only two walls. A gable is the vertical triangular portion of the end of a building from the eaves to the ridge of the roof.

Grade. All related terms shall be defined according to the definition contained in the California Building Code, incorporated by reference and amended in Title 15 of the Chino Hills Municipal Code.

Header. A structural element, typically a beam or lintel, placed horizontally above an opening such as a door or window.

Massing. The overall size, shape, and arrangement of a building or group of buildings.

Mid-rise Multifamily Building. A four- to six-story building with a maximum building height of 80 feet. Four-story buildings include apartments with surface parking or a wraparound parking structure. Five- and six-story housing products include wrap and wood structure podiums. Mid-rise multifamily buildings are permitted in the MUH, UHDH, and VHDH zones.

Mixed Use Project. As defined in Section 16.02.250 of the Chino Hills Development Code.

Multifamily Dwelling. As defined in Section 16.02.250 of the Chino Hills Development Code.

Open Space, Public. A publicly accessible park, square, plaza, or similar space. Does not include common open spaces shared exclusively by residents of a single development.

Orientation. Building orientation refers to the placement of a building on a site, considering its surroundings and the positioning of windows, rooflines, and other architectural features to optimize and enhance the overall aesthetic of the façade.

Ornamental Feature. A sculpture, fountain, relief, or any other decorative element that does not provide shelter, is non-structural, and is not a sign, and which serves to enhance visual interest.

Parkway. Land area between street curb and sidewalk.

Paseo. A pedestrian pathway or walkway extending from the street into the interior of a block. Paseos may be publicly accessible or limited to private use.

Patio Area. An outdoor space attached to a unit which typically includes concrete or pavers, and used as private yard area.

Podium Configuration. A building design where the construction is built in two different construction methodologies - typically concrete construction on the lower level(s) and wood framing above. Typically, non-residential uses and/or parking garages are included on the lower level and residential units above.

Recreational Amenities. An amenity provided by the building that is communal and available to all occupants for recreational and social purposes. Recreational amenities may include the following: picnic/barbeque areas, park benches, cabana or shade trellis areas, passive water features (e.g. fountain), passive recreation areas and/or gardens, dog park, clubhouse, swimming pool either with or without a sauna and/or jacuzzi, tot lots, an exercise structure or complex (e.g. playground, gym), full or ½ scale sports courts for volleyball/tennis/pickleball/basketball/soccer, etc., and other recreational amenities subject to review and approval.

Sill. The horizontal bottom portion of a window or door frame.

Step back. The vertical or horizontal recess or setback of a building's upper floors from the lower floors.

Stoop. A small staircase ending in a platform leading to the entrance of an apartment building or rowhouse.

Street Wall. The wall of a building facing the street or near the street-abutting property line. The street wall may include arcades, colonnades, recessed pedestrian entrances, decorative stairs, public art, and other features deemed pedestrian-oriented.

Terrace. An elevated outdoor space that is attached to a building, provided either by a purpose-built platform on the ground level or by the parapet roof of the story below.

Townhome. A multistory housing structure that is attached to one or more similar houses by shared walls.

Triplex. A residential building comprised of three separate living units.

Wrap Configuration. A building design where a portion of the building wraps around an interior parking or other structure, thereby screening the interior structure from public view.

Exceptions & meaning →

2 - Standards by Building Type¶

Low-rise Buildings

Low-rise multifamily buildings are two or three stories with a maximum building height of 42 feet. The housing products include townhomes, duplex, triplex, fourplex, and courtyard. Low-rise multifamily buildings are permitted in the RM-1, RM-2, RM-3, MU, MDH, and VHDH zones. Site design for low-rise multifamily buildings must include the following.

Design Standards	Yes	No	N/A
A. Building Coverage is specified in Chapter 16.10 and 16.15 of the Development Code.
B. Parking spaces are specified in Chapters 16.15 and 16.34 of the Development Code.
C. Setbacks facing public streets shall be landscaped with the exception of driveways and walkways leading from the street to the unit or group of units. Landscaping shall comply with Chapter 16.07 of the Development Code and the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance .
D. Primary entry is protected with at least one of the following features: overhangs, recesses, porches, trellises, or other weather-protection features covering an area at least three feet in depth and five feet in width. Encroachments of these features into required setbacks must be consistent with the zoning code.
E. A building or unit entrance must be provided at a frequency of at least one entrance every 50 feet along any street fronting elevation. Shared main entrances must be provided at least every 100 feet along any street frontage.
F. Rooflines shall be vertically articulated at least every 50 feet along the street frontage, through the use of architectural elements such as parapets of varying height (at least 12 inches), varying cornices, reveals, or varying roof height and/or form.
G. Buildings longer than 150 feet shall have parking accessible from a rear aisle, alley, or a lot across a drive, aisle, or street.
H. Buildings longer than 150 feet shall have a vertical massing break of at least four feet across and at least 75 percent of the height of the building façade.

Mid-rise Buildings

Mid-rise multifamily buildings are four to six stories and a maximum building height of 80 feet. Four-story buildings include apartments with surface parking or a wraparound parking structure. Five- and six-story housing products include wrap and wood structure podiums. Mid-rise multifamily buildings are permitted in the MU, MUH, UHDH, and VHDH zones.

Site design for mid-rise multifamily buildings must include the following.

Design Standards	Yes	No	N/A
A. Building Coverage is specified in Chapter 16.10 and 16.15 of the Development Code.
B. Parking spaces are specified in Chapter 16.15 and Chapter 16.34 of the Development Code.
C. For mixed-use, ground-floor shops, or office, each shall have individual entries along the adjacent drive, aisle, or street.
D. Residential ground-floor uses in multifamily buildings shall be no more than four feet above the public sidewalk grade if setback is 15 feet or less.
E. The ground-floor elevation shall consist of at least one of the following (note that the ground floor can include a combination of these elements, but each portion of the ground floor must provide at least one of these elements):
a. A line of awnings or canopies over ground-floor storefronts
b. For ground floor commercial uses, unobstructed transparent glass for at least 65 percent of the elevation area of the ground floor. See Figure 1
c. A different exterior cladding material than the middle/body which is separated from the middle/body above by either an overhang or recess of two feet or more, or a horizontal belt course with a dimension of at least 12 inches, consisting of a different color or material separating the base from the middle section.
d. A series of individual residential entries with entryways recessed a minimum of three feet.
e. A series of individual residential entries with projections of a minimum of three feet.
F. If an elevator is required per California Building Code, elevator towers shall utilize the same color, design, and materials as the building.

Figure 1. Mid-rise Buildings Commercial Ground Floor [Figure: Figure 1. Mid-rise Buildings Commercial Ground Floor]

Exceptions & meaning →

3 - Building Orientation¶

Building Location and Orientation

Building location and orientation standards provide unity and quality development of residential areas. Building location and orientation must include the following.

Design Standards	Yes	No	N/A
A. Setbacks shall be provided in accordance with the underlying zoning district and the regulations provided in Chapter 16.10 and 16.15 of the Development Code.
B. Buildings shall be oriented toward the public and private streets to define the street edges. Buildings on corner lots shall be oriented toward the primary intersection and shall be designed with dual orientation.
C. Dense landscaping and/or architectural treatments shall be provided to screen façades facing the freeway.
D. Primary pedestrian entrances for each residential unit (or the single primary pedestrian entrance if shared) shall face the public or private street, a shared pedestrian walkway, or a common courtyard. Primary pedestrian entries for individual units fronting side property lines shall provide an alcove, recess, overhang, porch, trellis, or other weather-protection feature, or shall be oriented to not face doors and windows of uses on adjacent properties. See Section 5 Architectural Elements for additional requirements for entries and porches.
E. Multifamily residential buildings shall be arranged to create outdoor spaces such as courtyards, pathways, paseos, and recreational areas, with windows facing the outdoor spaces. See Figure 2.
F. Buildings incorporating enclosed parking on the ground level shall provide a minimum three-foot setback from adjacent drive aisles.

Figure 2. Building Location and Orientation Windows Facing Pathway [Figure: Figure 2. Building Location and Orientation Windows Facing Pathway]

Exceptions & meaning →

4 - Building Massing and Articulation¶

Massing Breaks and Articulation Features

Building massing and articulation standards are designed to create massing breaks and articulation features on elevations facing public streets and common open spaces. Massing breaks and articulation features must include the following

Design Standards	Yes	No	N/A
A. Buildings shall have minor massing breaks at least every 50 feet along the street frontage. Minor breaks shall be a minimum of two feet deep and eight feet wide with a vertical length of at least 60 percent of the height of the building.
B. Buildings over three stories shall have major massing breaks at least every 100 feet along any street frontage, adjacent public park, publicly accessible outdoor space (whether public or private), or designated open space, through the use of varying step backs and/or building entries.
a. Major breaks shall be a minimum of five feet deep and 25 feet wide and shall extend at least 75 percent of the height of the building. Exceptions include buildings with upper stories (above first floor) stepped back at least five feet, in which case the major break need only extend 75 percent of the height of the portion of the front façade that is not stepped back. See Figure 3.
C. Multifamily buildings shall be designed to create varying roof forms and break up the massing of the building by using at least one of the following techniques:
a. A change in parapet wall or roof height of at least one foot for a distance of at least 50 feet; or
b. A change in roof pitch, form, or direction; or
c. Inclusion of dormers, gables, parapets, chimneys, and/or varying cornices; or
d. Varying roof height and/or form; or
e. Clerestory windows above eye-level to admit light, fresh air, or both. See Figure 4.
D. Rear and side elevations that are exposed to public view shall be consistent with the same number of architectural treatments as the front elevations.
E. Untreated blank walls over 15 feet in height and 20 feet in length visible from a public street or a pedestrian-oriented space (such as a park, common open space, or pedestrian pathway) are prohibited. Methods to treat blank walls can include:
a. Landscape planting bed at least five feet deep or a raised planter bed at least two feet high and three feet deep in front of the wall with planting materials that are sufficient to obscure or screen at least 60 percent of the wall's surface within three years.
b. Installing a vertical trellis in front of the wall with climbing vines or plant materials.
c. Special building detailing that adds visual interest. Such detailing must use a variety of surfaces. Examples include mosaics, fountains, ornamental detailing, or inclusion of highly textured surface materials such as natural stone.
F. Long, unbroken rooflines are to be avoided. Upper and lower stories must be distinguished by incorporating features applied to the transitions between any floors, except where otherwise specified. These features shall be one or more of the following:
a. A change in façade materials, along with a change in plane at least one inch in depth at the transition between the two materials; or
b. A horizontal design feature, such as a belt course; or
c. Brackets; or
d. Gable roof; or
e. Columns; or
f. Variation in the patterns or types of fenestration or details.
G. Buildings facing public street corners shall incorporate the same level of articulation on both street-facing elevations and incorporate at least one of the following:
a. Wrap-around porches, courtyards, or balconies; or
b. Wrap-around window or enhanced window treatments such as trim surrounds, shutters, awnings, and/or bay windows; or
c. A Roof plane break of at least one foot on each street facing elevation; or
d. Cropped building corner with an entry feature; or
e. Other creative elements that meet the intent of this standard and are consistent with the architectural style, subject to review of the Planning Division.
H. Building façades of four or more units facing internal drive aisles shall incorporate two or more of the following treatments:
a. Massing offsets, including layered wall planes, recesses, or cantilevers of at least one foot in depth for second or third story.
b. Variety of garage door colors and designs.
c. Trellises.
d. Balconies.
I. Buildings facing a common drive aisle shall have a minimum separation of 28 feet at the narrowest point.
J. Buildings facing common open space shall have a minimum separation of 15 feet at the narrowest point for two-story elevations, 20 feet at the narrowest point for three-story elevations, and 25 feet at the narrowest point for four-story and higher elevations.

Figure 3. Massing Breaks and Articulation Features [Figure: Figure 3. Massing Breaks and Articulation Features]

Figure 4. Varying Roof Heights and Pitch [Figure: Figure 4. Varying Roof Heights and Pitch]

Exceptions & meaning →

5 - Architectural Elements¶

Architectural standards incorporate elements and details that provide individuality to each project, while also maintaining consistency in overall character. The standards for architectural elements are as follows.

Roofs

Design Standards	Yes	No	N/A
A. Rooflines shall be vertically articulated at least every 50 feet along the street frontage, using architectural elements such as parapets, varying cornices, reveals, clerestory windows, or varying roof height and/or form.
B. If a building has a pitched roof, an eave overhang of at least 18 inches is required. Rakes at gable ends shall project at least four inches. Buildings for projects located in the Fire Hazard Overlay shall have an eave overhang of at least 8 inches.
C. Roof materials shall have a matte finish to minimize glare.

Entries

Design Standards	Yes	No	N/A
A. Each unit or building entry shall be easily identifiable and distinguishable from the street, drive aisle or common open space. Means of distinguishing an entryway include door color, door size and style, recessed entry, step up entry, and the incorporation of awnings, landscaping, and/or contrasting trim.
B. Exterior building entry doors and entry ways shall be protected with at least one of the following features: overhangs, recesses, porches, trellises, or other weather-protection features. The entry shall have a depth or projection of at least five feet and a width of at least three feet. If Building or Fire code requirements would restrict compliance with the minimum projection, the weather protection feature shall be built to the maximum dimensions allowed, provided the weather feature is no less than 18 inches.

Porches

Design Standards	Yes	No	N/A
A. Porches, where provided, shall have a minimum depth of six feet, including posts or columns, and a width of four feet. Roof elements, eaves, supports, and railings of the porch shall be consistent with the architectural style.
B. Where provided, covered porches shall be required to break up volumes between lower and upper floors.

Patio Walls and Gates

Design Standards	Yes	No	N/A
A. Low walls and gates for patios, where provided, shall use similar or same colors, materials, and/or design elements used for the building architecture.
B. All patio areas and private open space shall measure a minimum of eight feet by five feet.
C. Projects with a covered porch that extend from the building greater than four feet shall be supported by columns.

Balconies

Design Standards	Yes	No	N/A
A. Where provided, a minimum depth of four feet is required for balconies (except for ornamental or Juliet balconies). Scuppers or internal drains are required on all balconies for drainage.
B. Long balconies that provide access to more than three units shall be prohibited. Balconies shall either be recessed or projecting.

Fenestration

Design Standards	Yes	No	N/A
A. Windows and doors facing a public street, or a pedestrian-oriented space shall be trimmed, recessed, and/or incorporate enhancement details such as headers/sills, shutters, trellises, awnings, or pop-outs. When trimmed, the trim material shall be a minimum of three inches in width by three-quarter inches in depth when protruding from the wall. When recessed, the minimum depth shall be one-and-a-half inches from the adjacent wall surface. See Figure 5. Elevations with contemporary or modern design may have trims less than three inches wide, windows without trims, or be flush with the adjacent surface, provided that varied window sizes are used, and at least 30 percent of the residential portion of the façade consists of windows.
B. Windows on the upper floor(s) of a building shall be treated with the same or similar window treatments as those on the ground floor.
C. Mirrored or highly reflective glass is prohibited.

Figure 5. Fenestration Trim, Recessed, and Shutters [Figure: Figure 5. Fenestration Trim, Recessed, and Shutters]

Colors and Materials

Design Standards	Yes	No	N/A
A. Buildings shall incorporate a maximum of two main body colors, three accent colors, and three different materials, excluding windows, doors, trim, or signs. Exterior elevations shall include at least two colors and at least two different materials (in addition to glazing, window trim, doors, railings, or signs) that can accentuate building masses. The main body color is the predominant color used on the face(s) of the building.
B. Accessory structures such as garages, carports, and enclosures for mechanical, utility, and service areas shall include no more than two deviations in material or color from the primary structure. Accessory structures not visible from the street or neighboring properties may deviate from this standard.
C. Reflective surfaces and materials such as mirrored glass and polished aluminum are prohibited.
D. Material and color changes shall occur at an inside corner, underside of a massing element, or wrapped to an appropriate termination point such as a roof break, half-column, bay window, or enhanced trim element. See Figure 6.

Figure 6. Material and Color Changes [Figure: Figure 6. Material and Color Changes]

Accessory Structures

Design Standards	Yes	No	N/A
A. Accessory Dwelling Units, carports, detached garages, and other accessory structures shall coordinate materials, patterns, and colors with the architectural style of the primary buildings.

Solar Panels

Design Standards	Yes	No	N/A
A. Solar panel frames must be colored to complement the roof. Mill finish aluminum frames are prohibited.
B. Solar support equipment shall be painted to match the color of the building.

Exceptions & meaning →

6 - Access and Circulation¶

Access and circulation standards provide a consistent element of safety and efficient circulation for pedestrians, vehicles, and cyclists. The standards for access and circulation are as follows:

Pedestrian Pathways

Design Standards	Yes	No	N/A
A. Provide a pedestrian pathway from the building entries to a sidewalk, to an alley or a court drive leading to a sidewalk, or to a pathway network within the development site that connects to a public sidewalk.
B. For development sites with multiple buildings, pedestrian pathways connecting businesses, parking areas, and residential building entries on the same site shall be provided.
C. Surface parking lots shall be connected to all building entrances by means of internal pedestrian walkways. Parking lot pedestrian walkways shall be not less than six feet wide.
D. Pedestrian walkways must be provided along the perimeter of all parking areas adjacent to buildings so as to create a buffer between parking areas and the buildings.
E. Pedestrian walkway lighting mounted to building walls or freestanding poles shall not be placed higher than 12 feet above grade or the walkway surface. These lights shall be fully shielded or set back from the property line a minimum distance equal to the height of the light fixture to confine lighted area to within the property. In no case shall direct light rays trespass onto neighboring properties.
F. Pedestrian pathways shall be designed to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (if required) and Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations.
G. All utility equipment shall be located outside of the primary pedestrian path of travel. If utility equipment must encroach in the pedestrian path of travel, ensure a minimum paved clearance of three feet for ADA passage around equipment.

Vehicular and Emergency Access

Design Standards	Yes	No	N/A
A. Parking areas and garages within a development site shall be internally connected via a roadway network that leads to a public street.
B. Site circulation shall be designed to facilitate emergency access and comply with the Fire Department standards and refuse service provider standards.
C. Vehicular driveways with access to the public right of way shall have sidewalks or pedestrian connections on at least one side of the driveway.
D. Vehicular access shall be provided through the alley when present. For lots without an alley, vehicular access shall be provided from the secondary street.
E. Vehicular access paths shall have a minimum width of 22 feet, or 26 feet where required for emergency access.

Off-Street Parking Areas

Design Standards	Yes	No	N/A
A. Off-street parking areas and carports for multifamily residential development shall conform with the underlying zoning district and the regulations provided in Chapters 16.15 and 16.34 of the Development Code.
B. Alley access, when available, shall be utilized when garage parking is proposed. This arrangement is intended to provide maximum landscaping at the street edge, as well as front facades dominated by porches and entries instead of garage doors.
C. Garage doors shall be set back a minimum of three feet, and a maximum of five feet, from adjacent drive aisles.
D. Landscaping shall be provided along drive aisles in between individual garage door entrances and/or aprons. See Figure 7.
E. Building façades of four or more units facing a drive aisle with garage doors shall incorporate at least two of the following elements:
a. Garage door recess of at least one foot in depth from façade.
b. Trellis or roof overhang above garage door of at least one foot in depth.
c. Variety of at least two different garage door designs and colors.
d. Trim around garage door of contrasting material, with minimum dimensions of three inches in depth and six inches in width. See Figure 7.

Figure 7. Garage Door Design Features [Figure: Figure 7. Garage Door Design Features]

Exceptions & meaning →

7 - Landscaping, Walls and Fences, Lighting¶

Visibility Clearance Areas

Maintaining standard visibility clearance areas ensures that there will be no interference with mobility and visibility within developed areas. Visibility clearance areas must meet the following standard.

Design Standards	Yes	No	N/A
A. A visibility clearance area shall comply with Section 16.06.080 of the Development Code.

Walls and Fencing

Consistency in walls and fencing provide enhanced privacy and safety, while still maintaining matching architectural styles. Walls and fencing must meet the following standards.

Design Standards	Yes	No	N/A
A. Fence and wall materials, colors and detailing shall match the architectural style of buildings on the site. Permanent chain link fencing, razor wire, and barbed wire are prohibited.
B. Freestanding solid walls of at least 30 inches in height, if included, shall be setback at least two feet from the sidewalk and incorporate low plantings or vines placed between the sidewalk and the fence or wall to soften the appearance of the wall and preserve the public parkway environment.
C. All fences and walls required for screening purposes shall be of solid material. Chain link fencing with inserts is prohibited.

Lighting

Lighting standards provide a desirable level of illumination that increases safety and avoids light pollution. Lighting must meet the following standards.

Design Standards	Yes	No	N/A
A. Lighting shall be shielded and directed downward, and the location of lights coordinated with the approved landscape plan.
B. Exterior lamps shall be low wattage, LED, and except for outdoor holiday lights, shall not be colored.
C. Outdoor lighting shall be installed and maintained along all vehicular access ways and major walkways.
D. Bollard lighting may be used to light walkways and other landscape features but shall cast light downward.
E. All parking lot lights shall be full-cutoff luminaires, as certified by the manufacturer, with the light source directed downward and away from adjacent residences.
F. Exterior and parking-lot lighting shall not exceed 0.1 foot-candle at adjacent residential property lines. Exterior and parking lot lighting shall not exceed 0.5 foot-candle at the adjacent rights-of-way or adjacent mixed-use or non-residential properties.
G. Streetlights shall use decorative lighting poles that use the same colors, materials, designs as other elements used in the community.
H. Lighting shall be placed so as to minimize its impact on adjacent buildings and properties, especially residential uses. Any lighting source, including illuminated signs, shall be positioned so that light does not shine directly into residential windows.
I. Building-mounted lighting shall be decorative in nature and shall be a complimentary style to the architectural style of the building.

Landscape Elements

To achieve a cohesive appearance and compatibility of a new project with its surroundings, landscape elements must meet the following standards.

Design Standards	Yes	No	N/A
A. Proposed projects shall include at least three of the following landscape elements in the landscape plan:
a. Pedestrian-scaled lighting (bollards and/or landscape lighting)
b. Fountains
c. Decorative paving
d. Landmark tree (48-inch box minimum)
e. Seating opportunities such as raised planters and walls.
f. Shade structures such as free-standing trellises and canopies.
B. Landscaping shall contain a combination of low (3—24 inches), medium (2—5 feet) and tall (5 + feet) plant materials. For example, low planting may be used in the foreground, proceeding back to the tallest in the background. See Figure 8.
C. In townhouse or rowhouse type projects, trees and/or planting of at least six square feet shall be provided adjacent to garage doors facing alleys and motor court drives to soften the appearance of the building. Structures consisting of four or more garages that serve rowhouse or stack flat units, shall include a landscape area on each end of the building no less than three feet in depth and shall span the entire length of the side or rear of the building.
D. A minimum of five-foot-wide landscaping shall be incorporated around the base of buildings (except for walkways and driveways) to soften the edge between parking, drive aisles, and sidewalks.
E. Projects shall provide required open space consistent with Chapter 16.08 of the Development Code.
F. Projects shall provide landscape coverage consistent with Chapters 16.10 or 16.15 of the Development Code, dependent on the zoning designation of the site.

Figure 8. Landscape Elements [Figure: Figure 8. Landscape Elements]

Exceptions & meaning →

8 - Utility and Service Areas¶

Utility and service area standards are in place to minimize visual clutter and maintain efficient service areas.

Refuse and Recycling Material Storage Areas

Refuse and recycling material storage areas must meet the following standards.

Design Standards	Yes	No	N/A
A. Refuse and recycling material containers shared by multiple dwelling units shall be enclosed and screened in accordance with Section 16.10.060 of the Development Code. Sizing of the enclosures shall conform to the requirements of the City's Franchise Waste Hauler.
B. Refuse enclosures shall incorporate roof structures to help improve stormwater quality in accordance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) requirements and to screen the enclosure from views from above.
C. Refuse enclosures shall be finished using materials and colors that are consistent with the buildings architectural style. Enclosure gates shall be opaque.
D. Detached refuse enclosures located within 20 feet from doors or operable windows of adjacent structures shall be fully enclosed on three sides facing the adjacent structure and shall include deodorizer equipment to minimize odor impacts. Refuse enclosures shall not be any closer than 10 feet from any adjacent structure.
E. Refuse and recycling material containers stored within individual yards shall be screened from street view and from view of adjacent residential portions of the project.
F. Loading areas and refuse storage facilities shall be as far as possible from residential units and shall be completely screened from view of adjacent residential portions of the project. The location and design of trash enclosures shall account for potential nuisances from odor.

Loading and Service Areas

Loading and service areas must meet the following standards.

Design Standards	Yes	No	N/A
A. Loading docks and service areas meet the requirements of Chapter 16.34.050 of the Development Code.
B. One loading space is required in any parking lot with 15 or more spaces serving any nonresidential or mixed use.

Mechanical and Utility Equipment

Mechanical and utility equipment must meet the following standards.

Design Standards	Yes	No	N/A
A. Mechanical devices such as exhaust fans, vents, and pipes shall be painted to match or complement the adjacent surfaces. Mechanical equipment such as HVAC systems shall be screened from view with landscaping, walls, or a material that complements the building. The materials used for screening shall be painted to match or complement the adjacent surfaces.
B. With the exception of photovoltaic and solar hot water systems, mechanical and utility equipment shall be screened from view in accordance with Section 16.10.050 of the Development Code and to the extent permitted by the utility and/or service provider. This requirement applies to equipment located on the roof, on the side of a building, and on the ground. The method of screening shall be architecturally integrated with the building design or landscaping.
C. All electrical utility equipment, electrical meters, and junction boxes shall be placed within a utility room. If a utility room is not feasible, then all utility equipment shall be purposefully designed as an integral part of the building development, placed adjacent to alleyways, within parking areas, or within rear or side yards, and screened from public view.

Mailboxes

Mailboxes must meet the following standards.

Design Standards	Yes	No	N/A
A. Cluster mailboxes serving 25 or more units shall be located in an enclosure or under a shelter that provides weather protection. See Figure 9.
B. Cluster mailbox enclosures shall be located to allow for convenient, short-term parking for the mail carriers.
C. Common mailbox enclosures shall be designed using the same materials and colors as the surrounding residential buildings.
D. To maintain cleanliness and promote responsible waste disposal, all buildings must provide a trash receptacle in each mailbox area. The trash receptacle must be placed within 5 feet of the mailbox area and must be easily accessible and visible to all users of the mailbox area.

Figure 9. Cluster Mailboxes [Figure: Figure 9. Cluster Mailboxes]

Exceptions & meaning →