San Dimas Municipal Code Art. IV 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. 15 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. 806 § 1 (D), 1984; Ord. 1324, 6/10/2025)

Building architecture should convey its own blend of building forms, textures and site relationships. There is not one particular style but rather an atmosphere which should be the result of building designs, sensitively integrated with the site, the topography and character of the property. Desirable building design goals include, but are not limited to, the following:

A. The creation of a human scale of buildings such that the structures do not appear to be monumental in size or visual scale;

B. The promotion of controlled variety by the use of such techniques as breaking up long wall surfaces and roof lines into staggered masses, employing natural or highly textured materials on buildings or walls and employing balconies to provide usable outdoor space as well as visual relief;

C. Variation in roof forms by the mixing of single with two-story elements, occasional turning on end, the addition of architectural details, or the use of differing heights of roof peaks;

D. Avoidance of conflicting or "hodge-podge" effects in style or materials on adjacent lots.

(Ord. 806 § 1 (D), 1984)

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, solar access circulation and topography should be dominant factors in the design or orientation of structures on each site.

(Ord. 806 § 1 (D), 1984)

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 micro-climatic control around structures and outdoor use areas. The design of fencing and exterior lighting is an integral part of the landscape design process.

(Ord. 806 § 1 (D), 1984)

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 or natural setting. Nature provides a strong coherent order without monotony which includes symmetrical, asymmetrical, linear and curvilinear forms, and rough and smooth textures. The design of improvements should complement this natural site order in form, texture and color.

(Ord. 806 § 1 (D), 1984)