Sec. 30-396. - Pertaining — Fontana Municipal Code

This section provides regulations and standards for new or renovated residential building types. These regulations encourage buildings that strengthen the quality and character of Fontana's neighborhoods and surrounding areas while providing opportunities for individuality and creativity.

(1)

Building materials and colors.

Generally acceptable materials shall include stucco, wood siding, native rock and stone, split face, concrete and brick.

Generally prohibited materials shall include aluminum or plastic siding, corrugated fiberglass, and metal.

Generally acceptable colors shall include muted natural colors, earth tones, pastel colors, natural stains and accent colors to contrast eaves, trims, moldings and doors.

Generally prohibited colors shall include bright, fluorescent, or assertive colors as primary or accent wall colors.

(2)

Crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED). Incorporate crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) concepts into the project design in order to create a safe built environment.

(3)

Garages and accessory structures. Attached garages, detached garages, and other accessory structures shall be subordinate in height, footprint, and proportion to the primary structure on the site, and shall be compatible with the principal structure in terms of roof form, materials, and color. Where a garage contains an accessory dwelling unit above, it may exceed the height of the primary structure.

(4)

Design criteria.

A variety of enhanced architectural features and materials shall be provided on every front elevation. This can include, but is not limited to, porches, bay windows, pop-outs, veneers, rock, brick, wood siding, etc., or similar features.

All garage doors shall be metal, sectional and roll-up.

Trim with a stucco covering may be painted in a contrasting color. The contrasting color shall be color-compatible with the color of the body of the structure.

Decorative trim consistent with the architectural design shall surround vents and windows to enhance the architecture of the structure.

Architectural treatment shall be provided on each chimneystack.

Wall-mounted, decorative lighting fixtures shall be provided at the front porch areas as well as on each side of the garage door. The style of the decorative lighting fixtures shall complement the architectural style.

All front doors shall provide a window or other decorative treatment, including, but not limited to, raised panels, metal work, etc.

Upgraded hardscape shall be used within the concrete walkway(s) leading to the front door of the house in order to complement the home's exterior architectural elements. Examples of upgraded hardscape includes, but is not limited to, decorative patterned scoring, exposed aggregate finishes, stamped concrete, etc.

(5)

Screening of exterior equipment.

All mechanical equipment, ground-mounted equipment, utilities, storage, shall be screened from adjoining properties and public streets by a visual barrier such as a wall, fence, or landscape material. Where landscaping only is used for screening, it shall be planted with five-gallon (minimum size) shrubs spaced to provide a dense screen.

Roof-mounted mechanical equipment shall be hidden from view by building parapets of equal height. If building parapets do not provide adequate screening when observed from adjacent buildings, mechanical equipment shall be screened by designing the parapet so that it appears as an integrated part of the roof and overall architectural design.

Roof-mounted equipment shall not be permitted on the single-family home building type.

No exterior components of plumbing, processing, heating, cooling, and ventilating systems shall be mounted on any building wall unless they are an integrated architectural design feature.

(6)

Central air conditioning or cooling system.

All new residential structures shall be equipped with a central air conditioning or cooling system.

For the purposes of this section, a "central air conditioning or cooling system" shall be defined as all that equipment, including associated refrigeration, intended or installed for the purpose of cooling air by mechanical means and discharging such air into a residential structure used for living purposes. A central air conditioning or cooling system shall not include portable cooling units, absorption units or evaporative coolers.

(7)

Water heaters. Each dwelling unit shall have a separate hot water heater or may be provided with a centralized circulation water heating system sufficient to serve all dwelling units on the property.

(8)

Laundry facilities. All multiple-residential units shall be provided washer and dryer hookups and laundry space within the unit or garage. The laundry area shall not infringe upon garage parking area. In the case of apartments, common laundry facilities may be included in addition to the individual unit hookups.

(9)

Storage facilities. A separate area having a minimum of 125 cubic feet of private and secure storage space shall be provided for each unit.

Said storage area may be located within the garage, provided it does not interfere with garage use for automobile parking.

Normal closet and cupboard space within the dwelling unit shall not count toward meeting this requirement.

No storage shall be in a carport area.

Sec. 30-396.1. - Downtown core design regulations (commercial, apartment, and mixed-use…¶

This Section provides regulations and standards for new or renovated commercial, apartment, and mixed-use building types.

(1)

Crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED): Crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) concepts shall be incorporated into the project design in order to create a safe built environment.

(2)

General facade composition: Buildings should generally be "four-sided," meaning that all facades (including sides and rear) shall be considered visible and treated with articulation and materials.

(3)

Size, mass, and scale: The scale of buildings and accessory structures (including canopies) shall be appropriate to the scale of structures built, or anticipated, in that district. Height of buildings shall be proportionate to the number of stories proposed.

(4)

Building materials:

Building wall materials shall be combined on each facade only horizontally, unless the building is broken vertically by a change of plane, or a vertical architectural element.

Building walls shall be finished in one or more of the following materials:

Wood

ii.

Fiber cement board siding, smooth finish

iii.

Reinforced concrete with stucco

iv.

Brick

Corrugated metal, which may be approved by the Director of Planning based on the surrounding context and location on the site

vi.

Other materials as approved by the Director of Planning, based on visual compatibility with listed approved materials

Doors shall be made of wood, metal, glass, or fiberglass.

(5)

Roof materials:

Roof materials shall match or complement the proposed architectural style.

Roof materials that shall not be used include:

Stamped sheet metal used to simulate Mediterranean or Spanish roof tiles.

ii.

Corrugated sheet metal.

iii.

Lightweight asphalt shingles.

iv.

Wood shakes or shingles.

(6)

Roof forms: Where pitched roofs exist, primary roofs shall have a minimum slope of 4:12, while ancillary roof slopes may be no less than 2:12.

(7)

Windows and doors:

Proportion and details.

Windows shall not be flush with exterior wall treatments. Windows shall be provided with an architectural surround at the jambs and header, and a projecting sill.

ii.

Window openings may be grouped horizontally, but trim between windows shall be at least 3.5 inches wide. This does not apply to storefront windows.

Facade transparency: Building elevations that face the street shall have at least 40% of the first-floor wall area consist of windows and/or doors and 15% of upper floors.

(8)

Architectural Details:

Shutters: Shutters shall be sized and placed so as to equal the width that would be required to cover the window opening.

Cornices: If cornices are used, then the cornices are required to delineate the tops of facades. Expression lines are required to delineate the divisions between the first floor and upper floors. Cornices and expression lines shall either be a molding or a jog in the surface plane of the building.

(9)

Exterior building color:

Fluorescent colors shall not be used as primary wall colors or accent colors except when approved by the Director of Planning when the colors are appropriate for the surrounding area and enhance the visual interest of an area.

Colors that relate to or enhance the building's existing district character shall be used. Light colors such as different shades of whites and pastels are appropriate. Extremely bright colors shall not be used as primary wall colors.

Secondary colors shall complement the primary building color. They shall be lighter or darker values than the body color or use more saturated hues of the body color. Secondary colors can be used to give additional emphasis to architectural features such as building bases or wainscots, columns, brackets, cornices, capitals, and bands; or used as trim on doorframes, storefront elements, windows and window frames, railing shutters, ornament, fences, etc.

(10)

Mechanical equipment and screening:

Rooftop equipment such as mechanical equipment shall be screened on all sides, and the screening shall be integrated into the overall building design.

Mechanical equipment, such as ventilation systems, commercial exhaust fans, rooftop terminations, commercial cooling equipment, heating and air conditioning units, TV antennas, and satellite dishes, shall be hidden or screened from view. Architectural features or vegetation can be used to conceal mechanical equipment. Screen material shall be properly maintained. If vegetation is used for screening, the mature size of the vegetation shall be considered so that equipment air flow will not be compromised.

(11)

Proportions of bays and openings: All building bays, including porches, colonnades and porticos as appropriate, shall be square or vertical in proportion, unless the design merits a horizontally-proportioned opening. Wall opening, except for transoms and storefronts, shall be square or vertical in proportion. The facade of a proposed building shall draw upon the proportion and number of bays in surrounding buildings, as defined by windows, doors, and column spacing, to establish a compatible scale.

(12)

Garages and accessory structures: Attached garages, detached garages, and other accessory structures shall be subordinate in height, footprint, and proportion to the primary structure on the site, and shall be compatible with the principal structure in terms of roof form, materials, and color. Where a garage contains an accessory dwelling unit above, it may exceed the height of the primary structure.

(13)

Utility and service equipment areas:

Locate ancillary facilities within buildings, not along the street facing facade, to the maximum extent feasible. Where ancillary facilities such as trash receptacles and utility meters absolutely cannot be incorporated into a building, locate them at the rear of the site in freestanding, completely enclosed structures designed to be compatible with the architecture of the rest of the development.

Loading docks, service areas, and trash disposal facilities shall be hidden or screened from view of streets, parks, squares, or significant pedestrian spaces. Service, utility and mechanical functions, including retail loading shall be located in alleys whenever present. When alleys are not present, service functions shall be placed behind buildings. Building design shall accommodate equipment with niches or insets.

Trash and storage enclosures shall be architecturally integrated into the project design. Landscaping shall be provided adjacent to enclosures for screening and deterring graffiti.

Build covered trash enclosures with durable materials such as stone, concrete block, steel, and heavy timber.

The location of trash enclosures shall be easily accessible for trash collection and shall not impede general site circulation patterns during loading operations.

Trash service plan shall be provided, which shall be subject to the approval of the Director of Planning.

Locate electrical panels to minimize their visibility from the street, in locations such as side yard walls, and/or behind landscaped areas. Integrate them into the design of residential buildings to the maximum extent feasible.

Utility service connections shall be underground or screened, which shall be subject to the approval of the Director of Planning.

(14)

Outdoor display of merchandise:

Definition of "merchandise": For purposes of this section, merchandise is defined as any item that is for sale on the premises or is representative of an item that is for sale on the premises, regardless of whether that particular item is available for purchase.

Arrangement: Merchandise shall be arranged and spaced so as not to clutter the front of the property, as determined by the Director of Planning or designee.

Location:

Merchandise shall not be placed on the public sidewalk or within the right-of-way without the approval of the Director of Planning or designee. If merchandise is displayed on any privately owned sidewalk, a minimum of four feet of the sidewalk as measured from the curb must remain open and unobstructed to facilitate safe pedestrian circulation.

ii.

Areas designated for vehicular parking may not be used as outdoor display areas except as authorized in the Zoning and Development Code such as temporary use permits.

iii.

Merchandise shall not be displayed on public street furniture or landscaping.

Designation in plans: Plans for new developments or reuse of an existing space shall clearly designate any areas for outdoor display of outdoor merchandise. Outdoor display of merchandise shall only occur in areas designated for such display on the approved plan.

(15)

Trellises, marquees, and architectural canopies: Materials, colors, and form shall be derived from the building architecture

(16)

Balconies: Balconies are encouraged at upper stories to create visual interest, support an architectural style or context, and to provide outdoor spaces for upper story tenants. In addition to upper story balconies, recessed alcoves are recommended to increase the depth and usability of the balcony space and add visual interest to the facade composition.

(17)

Awnings and shade devices:

Durable materials that complement other building materials shall be used, including canvas, high quality fabric, and metal.

Vinyl and plastic shall not be used.

Colors shall complement the building style, materials, and colors.

Awning mounting heights shall be consistent along the facade, unless varying mounting heights supports the architectural style.

(18)

Security doors:

Roll-up security doors shall be decorative, which shall be approved by the Director of Planning and recessed behind the building facade wall surface.

Horizontal sliding security grills shall be decorative, which shall be approved by the Director of Planning and shall be architecturally concealed when in fully opened position.

(19)

Site landscaping:

Landscaping shall be incorporated in order to create an active visual outlook for residential units, create usable open space, and provide privacy for adjacent residential units.

Site landscaping treatments shall be designed to be attractive, with consistent design integrity throughout the project.

Parking lots, driveways, and other automobile circulation areas shall be landscaped in order to improve the visual appearance of circulation and parking areas.

Trees, landscape islands, shrubs, and groundcover shall be incorporated throughout parking areas.

(Ord. No. 1923, § 5(Exh. A), 9-12-23)

Exceptions & meaning →

Sec. 30-396.2. - Downtown core design regulations (residential buildings).¶

This section provides regulations and standards for new or renovated residential buildings that have individual entries from the public ROW or common open space. These regulations encourage buildings that strengthen the quality and character of Fontana's neighborhoods and surrounding areas while providing opportunities for individuality and creativity.

(1)

Building materials and colors:

Generally acceptable materials shall include stucco, wood siding, native rock and stone, split face, concrete and brick.

Generally prohibited materials shall include aluminum or plastic siding, corrugated fiberglass, and metal.

Generally acceptable colors shall include muted natural colors, earth tones, pastel colors, natural stains and accent colors to contrast eaves, trims, moldings and doors.

Generally prohibited colors shall include bright, fluorescent, or assertive colors as primary or accent wall colors.

(2)

Crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED): Incorporate crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) concepts into the project design in order to create a safe built environment.

(3)

(4)

Design criteria:

All garage doors shall be decorative, sectional, and roll-up.

Trim with a stucco covering may be painted in a contrasting color. The contrasting color shall be color-compatible with the color of the body of the structure.

Decorative trim consistent with the architectural design shall surround vents and windows to enhance the architecture of the structure.

Architectural treatment shall be provided on each chimneystack.

All front doors shall provide a window or other decorative treatment, including, but not limited to, raised panels, metal work, etc.

(5)

Screening of exterior equipment:

No exterior components of plumbing, processing, heating, cooling, and ventilating systems shall be mounted on any building wall unless they are an integrated architectural design feature.

(6)

Central air conditioning or cooling system:

All new residential structures shall be equipped with a central air conditioning or cooling system.

(7)

Water heaters: Each dwelling unit shall have a separate hot water heater or may be provided with a centralized circulation water heating system sufficient to serve all dwelling units on the property.

(8)

Laundry facilities: All multiple-residential units shall be provided washer and dryer hookups and laundry space within the unit or garage. The laundry area shall not infringe upon garage parking area. In the case of apartments, common laundry facilities may be included in addition to the individual unit hookups.

(9)

Storage facilities: A separate area having a minimum of 125 cubic feet of private and secure storage space shall be provided for each unit.

Said storage area may be located within the garage, provided it does not interfere with garage use for automobile parking.

Normal closet and cupboard space within the dwelling unit shall not count toward meeting this requirement.

No storage shall be in a carport.

(Ord. No. 1923, § 5(Exh. A), 9-12-23)

Exceptions & meaning →