Encinitas Municipal Code § 4.5 General Design Recommendations

Offsetting planes, an architectural recess or projection of building walls relative to one another, is a strategy to promote sensitive design of an elevation by reducing a building's overall sense of bulk, mass and scale. Building entrances, window bays, patios, porches, stoops and other areas of respite are examples that take advantage of offsetting planes. See Figure 16, Offsetting Planes and Building Massing.

A. When changes in material occur, offsetting of planes is recommended.

B. While design features such as trellises, shade devices and space defining elements like low walls and fencing are encouraged ingredients that add richness, scale and articulation to environments, such elements will not count towards offsetting plane requirements.

C. Keep in mind that when planes offset, roof lines, details and features associated with building articulation should respond accordingly.

Building articulation (variation) comes in many forms; fenestration and doorways, details of pattern and rhythm, shade structures, use of color, transitions between materials, trim and moldings, etc. Diversity and visual interest is encouraged, particularly when adjacent to the pedestrian realm.

A. Offsets of wall planes provide visual interest and scale to buildings. Elements that offset less than 36 inches are acceptable when pertaining to details such as framing of windows, entry door insets, pilasters and items such as those defined under building articulation.

B. Large expanses of blank walls or building facades are unacceptable.