San Dimas Municipal Code Art. III Architectural Guidelines

The purpose of the architectural guidelines is threefold:

A. To provide the city the necessary assurance at the time of adoption of Specific Plan No. 13 that the community will develop in accordance with the quality and character proposed in this chapter;

B. To provide policy guidance to builders, home residents, engineers, architects, landscape architects and other design professionals in order to maintain design continuity throughout the development and within the home area;

C. To provide guidance to the review authority pursuant to Chapter 18.12 of this title in the subsequent review of building plans as noted in the plan review and plan disposition procedures.

(Ord. 792 § 1 (G), 1983; Ord. 1324, 6/10/2025)

The architectural style shall be California Spanish. The residential area should convey its own blend of building forms, textures and site relationships. The building design will be sensitively integrated with the site, topography and character of the property.

(Ord. 792 § 1 (G), 1983)

Buildings and other improvements should be appropriate in mass and scale to the site on which they are placed. The site and its relationship to other structures, scenic values, climatic orientation, access and topography should be dominant factors in the design and orientation of structures on each site.

(Ord. 792 § 1 (G), 1983)

Landscape design and proper use of plant materials can dominate the total visual image presented by the buildings and building clusters. Landscape materials should include native materials. Landscape design should respect solar access rights and should be utilized for microclimatic control around structures and outdoor use areas. The design of fencing and exterior lighting is an integral part of the landscape design process.

(Ord. 792 § 1 (G), 1983)

The building and its elements should be unified in textures, colors and materials to provide an order and coherence, not only with themselves, but with the surrounding environment of country setting. Nature provides a strong coherent order without monotony, including symmetrical, asymmetrical, linear and curvilinear forms, and rough and smooth textures. The design of improvements should complement this natural site order and present a visual imagery of area identity and at the same time, a country appearance of randomness in form, texture and color.

(Ord. 792 § 1 (G), 1983)