Encinitas Municipal Code § 4.6 Residential Design Recommendations

The intent of the following recommendations is to encourage superior design of residential projects through the appropriate use of materials and the creation of visually interesting developments.

A. New residential development should be compatible with the desirable characteristics and scale of the surrounding neighborhood.

B. Changes in plane and height, and the inclusion of elements such as balconies, porches, arcades, dormers, and cross gables are encouraged.

C. Hipped or gabled roofs covering the entire building are strongly encouraged in lieu of mansard roofs or segments of pitched roofs applied at the building's edge.

D. Wall planes should not run in one continuous direction for more than 20 feet without an off set of at least 3 feet. Where this is accomplished by the use of a building projection, such projection should be minimum of 6 feet wide.

E. Major design orientation shall be onto street frontages, so that pedestrian entries, window openings, walkways, etc. are oriented onto front and side streets.

F. Building materials should be very durable, require low maintenance, and relate a sense of permanence. Excessive changes in materials should be avoided.

G. The selection of appropriate exterior building materials should be based on the desirable style and materials used in the surrounding neighborhood. Veneers should turn corners, avoiding exposed edges.

H. Carports, detached garages, and accessory structures should be designed as an integral part of the overall project. They should be similar in materials, color, and detail to the principal buildings of a development.

I. All mechanical equipment whether mounted on the roof or ground should be screened from view. Screen walls should be visually compatible with structures.

A. New residential developments should be designed to continue the desirable on site relationships of the original structure(s) and surrounding neighborhood. Parking should be located in the rear and access taken from the side streets or alleys whenever possible.

B. The height of residential projects should be considered within the context of their surroundings. Buildings with greater height may require additional setbacks at the upper stories so as not to impose on adjacent single story uses.

A. It is important that all entrances to a site be designed to be easily visible whether from a public street or alley. It is also essential that interior and exterior access points and corridors be well lit.

B. Interior open spaces, courtyards, circulation corridors and balconies, and individual living unit entrances should be visible from a majority of the living units. The units should also allow easy surveillance from within the living units.

C. Obscured spaces where intruders might hide should be avoided in the design of all new residential projects.

D. Lighting for pedestrian walkways should be maintained at 0.5 footcandles for areas such as through common areas, and at 0.8 footcandles for security areas such as at site entrances and walkways from parking areas.

E. Garages or security gates should be provided for parking areas, where feasible.