Chapter 16.38 — BUILDING DESIGN STANDARDS

• A. The purpose of this chapter is to establish standards for building placement, form, and design. These requirements constitute "objective standards" under current state housing law where applicable, including, but not limited to, Government Code Sections 65913.4 , 655589.5 and 756852.21 , to provide clear development standards that allow for streamlined review processes. Further, the purposes of this chapter are to implement the Stockton General Plan, including:

  1. Improve the visual quality of the urban environment.

  2. Provide flexibility for residential development to be feasible.

  3. Ensure that exterior remodels and the siting, scale, and design of new development are compatible with surrounding and adjacent buildings, public spaces, and cultural and historic resources.

• B. Standards are provided for four types of buildings: (1) detached single-unit dwellings; (2) multiunit dwellings (including, but not limited to, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhouses, and apartment buildings); and (3) mixed use buildings. Each of these building types is the subject of one section of the chapter.

(Ord. 2025-06-03-1601, 6/3/2025)

The standards of this chapter apply in addition to all other provisions, including other design standards, of this Code.

(Ord. 2025-06-03-1601, 6/3/2025)

• A. Applicability. All dwelling units that are detached from any other unit except an accessory dwelling unit, shall meet the design standards of this section. Accessory dwelling units are subject to the standards of Section 16.80.310 (Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and junior accessory dwelling units (JADUs)).

• B. Building Entrances. All dwelling units shall provide at least one principal entrance that meets the following requirements.

  1. All units located along a street or pedestrian walkway shall have a principal entrance facing and visible to the street or pedestrian walkway, except as follows:

     • a. Where lots have frontage on two or more streets, units shall have a principal entry on at least one street.

     • b. Where lots front only onto an arterial or collector street, the principal entrance may be oriented toward an interior drive or walkway rather than the street.

  2. The principal entrance shall be emphasized using at least one of the following methods:

     • a. A projection such as a canopy or overhang with a minimum depth of three feet and a minimum horizontal area of 30 square feet.

     • b. A recess a with a minimum depth of three feet and a minimum width of six feet.

     • c. A landing, deck, or stoop with a minimum four-foot by four-foot area.

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FIGURE 3-9A DETACHED SINGLE-UNIT, PRINCIPAL ENTRANCE DESIGN

3. Waivers. Should the applicant elect not to meet the above objective building entrance standards, the applicant may request a waiver pursuant to Chapter 16.176 (Waivers). A waiver of the building entrance requirements may be approved upon finding that the project includes alternative designs that create a welcoming feeling toward the street, such as incorporating features such as a trellis, landscaped courtyard entry, enhanced walkway, columns or other architectural features.

• C. Window and Garage Door Trim. Trim shall be provided around all windows and garage doors. Should the applicant elect not to meet the objective window and garage trim requirement, the applicant may request a waiver pursuant to Chapter 16.176 (Waivers). A waiver of the window and garage trim requirement may be approved upon finding that providing window or garage trim would be inconsistent with the architectural style of the structure and alternative methods have been incorporated to create shadow and depth along the facade.

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FIGURE 3-9B DETACHED SINGLE-UNIT, WINDOW AND GARAGE DOOR TRIM

• D. Facade Articulation. No facade shall run in a continuous plane of more than 15 feet without incorporating one or more of the following:

  1. A vertical wall shift at least one foot in depth.

  2. A change in material.

  3. A window or building entrance.

4. A projection such as a stoop, bay, or overhang.

5. Waivers. Should the applicant elect not to meet the objective facade articulation standards, the applicant may request a waiver pursuant to Chapter 16.176 (Waivers). A waiver of the facade articulation requirements may be approved upon finding that adequate design features have been incorporated to create visual variety and avoid a bulky or monolithic appearance.

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FIGURE 3-9C DETACHED SINGLE-UNIT, FACADE ARTICULATION

(Ord. 2025-06-03-1601, 6/3/2025)

• A. Applicability. Development with two or more dwelling units in a single building (including, but not limited to, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhouses, and apartment buildings) shall meet the design standards of this section.

• B. Building Orientation. Buildings located along a street or pedestrian walkway shall be oriented toward the adjacent street or pedestrian walkway with the building frontage parallel to the fronting street or pedestrian walkway, except as follows:

  1. Where lots have frontage on two or more streets, buildings shall be oriented to at least one street.

  2. Where lots front only onto an arterial or collector street, buildings may be oriented toward an interior drive or walkway.

  3. Waivers. Should the applicant elect not to meet the above objective building orientation standards, the applicant may request a waiver pursuant to Chapter 16.176 (Waivers). A waiver of the building orientation requirements may be approved upon finding that orienting the buildings to the street or pedestrian walkway is incompatible design, context, and/or use and street-facing building walls exhibit architectural relief and detail, and are enhanced with landscaping to create visual interest at the pedestrian level.

• C. Entrances. Entrances to dwelling units shall be designed as individual or shared entrances at the ground floor of the building.

  1. Shared Entrances. All buildings with any exterior entrance that provides access to more than one unit shall provide a minimum of one principal shared entranceway per building in accordance with the following standards.

     • a. Buildings located along a street shall provide a principal entrance facing and visible to the street, and connected directly to a public sidewalk via a private pedestrian walkway, except as follows:

       • i. Where lots have frontage on two or more streets, buildings must have a principal entry on at least one street.

       • ii. Where lots front only onto an arterial or collector street, the principal entrance may be oriented toward the interior of the lot.

     • b. Principal entrances located in the interior of a site shall be accessed from a pedestrian walkway that is a minimum of four feet wide and connects to a public walkway.

     • c. The principal entrance shall lead to a common area a minimum of 10 feet in each dimension.

     • d. The principal entrance shall be emphasized utilizing at least one of the following methods:

       • i. A roofed projection over the door (such as an awning, canopy, or overhang) with a minimum depth of five feet and a minimum horizontal area of 30 square feet.

       • ii. A recessed entry bay with a minimum width of 15 feet and a minimum depth of five feet.

       • iii. A landing, deck, or stoop with a minimum six-foot by six-foot area.

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FIGURE 3-10A MULTI-UNIT DWELLINGS, SHARED ENTRANCE DESIGN

2. Individual Entrances. All units accessed through ground level individual entrances from the exterior shall provide a minimum of one principal individual entrance per unit that creates both a presence on the street and establishes a clear separation between the public and private realms in accordance with the following standards.

   • a. All individually accessed units located along a street or pedestrian walkway shall have a principal entrance oriented to and facing a street or pedestrian walkway, except as follows:

     • i. Where lots have frontage on two or more streets, units must have a principal entrance on at least one street.

     • ii. Where lots front only onto an arterial or collector street, the principal entrance may be oriented toward the interior of the lot.

   • b. All principal entrances located in the interior of a site shall be accessed from a pedestrian walkway that is a minimum of four feet wide and connects to a public sidewalk.

• c. The principal entrance shall be emphasized using at least one of the following methods:

  • i. A projection such as a canopy or overhang with a minimum depth of three feet.

  • ii. A recess a with a minimum depth of three feet and a minimum width of three feet.

  • iii. A landing, deck, or stoop with a minimum four-foot by four-foot area.

• d. Any individual entrance located within 10 feet of a front or street-side property line shall be raised a minimum of 18 inches above grade.

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FIGURE 3-10B MULTI-UNIT DWELLINGS, INDIVIDUAL ENTRANCE DESIGN

3. Waivers. Should the applicant elect not to meet the above objective entrance standards, the applicant may request a waiver pursuant to Chapter 16.176 (Waivers). A waiver of the entrance requirements may be approved upon finding that, the project includes features that create a welcoming feeling toward the street, such as a trellis, landscaped courtyard entry, enhanced walkway, columns or other architectural features.

• D. Building Design. Buildings shall include the following design features to create visual variety and avoid a large-scale and bulky appearance.

  1. Massing Increment. For building facades 150 feet or longer, a change in facade plane with a recess a minimum of 15 feet wide and 10 feet deep shall be provided for every 150 feet of building frontage.

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FIGURE 3-10C MULTI-UNIT DWELLINGS, MASSING INCREMENT

2. Roof Line. Roof lines shall be varied and designed to minimize the bulk of a building, screen roof-mounted equipment, and enhance the building's architectural design through the following methods:

   • a. A minimum of one roof line offset of at least 18 inches in height and 15 feet in length shall be provided for every 150 feet of facade length.

   • b. Where parapets are provided, the minimum 18-inch offset in height required above may be substituted by an offset of at least 18 inches in depth. All parapets shall provide returns of at least six feet in depth at the end of the parapet face to avoid a false front appearance.

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FIGURE 3-10D MULTI-UNIT DWELLINGS, ROOF LINE

3. Vertical Articulation. In buildings of two or more stories, upper and lower stories shall be distinguished by incorporating one or more of the following features. These features may be applied to the transitions between any floors, except where otherwise specified.

• a. A change in facade materials, along with a change in plane at least four inches in depth at the transition between the two materials.

• b. A horizontal design feature such as an awning, overhang, cornice line, water table, or belt course.

• c. A base treatment a minimum of four feet at the ground floor consisting of a material such as stone, concrete masonry, or other material distinct from the remainder of the facade and projecting at least two inches from the wall surface of the remainder of the building.

• d. Setting back the top floor or floors of the building at least five feet from the remainder of the facade.

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FIGURE 3-10E MULTI-UNIT DWELLINGS, VERTICAL ARTICULATION

4. Townhomes and Rowhouses. In addition to the other building design requirements of this Section, attached side-by-side dwelling units shall meet the following requirements.

   • a. Unit Articulation. Individual units shall be emphasized through two or more of the following methods. The methods chosen to meet this requirement may count toward other design requirements provided the necessary criteria are met.

     • i. Variations of two feet or more between the horizontal planes of the primary entrance facade of adjacent units.

     • ii. A change in roof orientation between adjacent units (e.g., a gable roof adjacent to a hipped roof).

• iii. A roofline offset of at least 18 inches for each unit exposed on the associated elevation.

• iv. Change of colors or materials.

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FIGURE 3-10F TOWNHOMES AND ROWHOUSES, UNIT ARTICULATION

5. Waivers. Should the applicant elect not to meet the objective building design standards, the applicant may request a waiver pursuant to Chapter 16.176 (Waivers). A waiver of the building design requirements may be approved upon finding that adequate design features have been incorporated to create visual variety and avoid a large-scale and bulky appearance.

• E. Window and Garage Door Trim or Recess. Windows and garage doors shall have trim at least three inches wide and one-half inch in depth, or be recessed at least two inches from the plane of the surrounding exterior wall. Should the applicant elect not to meet the objective window and garage trim or recess requirement, the applicant may request a waiver pursuant to Chapter 16.176 (Waivers). A waiver of the window and garage trim or recess requirement may be approved upon finding that providing the required window or garage trim or recess would be inconsistent with the architectural style of the structure and alternative methods have been incorporated to create shadow and depth along the facade.

requirement, the applicant may request a waiver pursuant to Chapter 16.176 (Waivers). A waiver of the window and garage trim or recess requirement may be approved upon finding that providing the required window or garage trim or recess would be inconsistent with the architectural style of the structure and alternative methods have been incorporated to create shadow and depth along the facade.

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FIGURE 3-10G MULTI-UNIT DWELLINGS, WINDOW AND GARAGE DOOR TRIM OR RECESS

• F. Street Frontage Transparency. Exterior walls facing a street shall include windows or doors, inclusive of inset frames, for at least 25% of the ground floor building wall. No wall shall run in a continuous plane of more than 30 feet without a window, door, or other opening.

  1. Waivers. Should the applicant elect not to meet the above objective residential street frontage transparency standard, the applicant may request a waiver pursuant to Chapter 16.176 (Waivers). A waiver of the residential street frontage transparency requirement may be approved upon finding that:

     • a. The proposed project or its location has certain characteristics with which providing the required windows and openings is incompatible; and

     • b. Street-facing building walls exhibit architectural relief and detail, and are enhanced with landscaping to create visual interest at the pedestrian level.

• G. Underground and Tuck Under Parking. The maximum above ground height of an underground or tuck under parking area within 20 feet of the primary street facing property line shall be three feet from finished grade.

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FIGURE 3-10H UNDERGROUND AND TUCK UNDER PARKING, MAXIMUM ABOVE GROUND HEIGHT

(Ord. 2025-06-03-1601, 6/3/2025)

• A. Applicability. Buildings containing residential and nonresidential uses as primary uses in a single building, including live-work units, shall meet the design standards of this section.

• B. Building Orientation. Buildings located along a street or pedestrian walkway shall be oriented toward the adjacent street or pedestrian walkway with the building frontage parallel to the fronting street or pedestrian walkway, except as follows:

  1. Where lots have frontage on two or more streets, buildings shall be oriented to at least one street.

  2. Where lots front only onto an arterial street, buildings may be oriented toward an interior drive or walkway.

  3. Waivers. Should the applicant elect not to meet the above objective building orientation standards, the applicant may request a waiver pursuant to Chapter 16.176 (Waivers). A waiver of the building orientation requirements may be approved upon finding that the design, context, and/or use of the project make orienting the buildings to the street or pedestrian walkway incompatible and the project includes designs that create a welcoming feeling toward the street, such as incorporating features such as a trellis, landscaped courtyard entry, enhanced walkway, columns or other architectural features.

• C. Entrances.

  1. Ground Floor Residential Uses. Ground floor residential units shall meet the entrance requirements of Section 16.38.040.C (Entrances), above.

  2. Ground Floor Nonresidential Uses. There shall be a minimum of one principal entrance for every 50 feet of building frontage with a maximum separation of 100 feet between entrances. Principal entrances shall be designed in accordance with the following standards.

• a. In buildings located within 30 feet of a street-facing property line, the principal building entrance shall face the street. Alternatively, the principal building entrance may face perpendicular to the street, provided it is within 10 feet of the street-facing property line.

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FIGURE 3-11A GROUND FLOOR NONRESIDENTIAL USES, ENTRANCE DESIGN

• b. Buildings located at corners shall provide a principal entrance toward each street or have a corner entrance that provides a common entrance to the building from both streets.

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FIGURE 3-11B GROUND FLOOR NONRESIDENTIAL USES, CORNER BUILDINGS ENTRANCE DESIGN

3. Waivers. Should the applicant elect not to meet the above objective entrance standards, the applicant may request a waiver pursuant to Chapter 16.176 (Waivers). A waiver of the entrance requirements may be approved upon finding that the design, context, and/or use of the project make the entrance requirements incompatible and that street-facing building walls incorporate architectural features, exhibit relief and detail, and are enhanced with landscaping to create visual interest at the pedestrian level.

• D. Building Design. Buildings shall include the following design features to create visual variety and avoid a large-scale and bulky appearance.

1. Massing Increment. For building facades 150 feet or longer, a change in facade plane with a recess a minimum of 15 feet wide and 10 feet deep shall be provided for every 150 feet of building frontage.

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FIGURE 3-11C MIXED USE BUILDINGS, MASSING INCREMENT

2. Roof Line. Roof lines shall be varied and designed to minimize the bulk of a building, screen roof-mounted equipment, and enhance the building's architectural design through the following methods:

   • a. A minimum of one roof line offset of at least 18 inches in height and 15 feet in length shall be provided for every 150 feet of facade length.

• b. Where parapets are provided, the minimum 18-inch offset in height required above may be substituted by an offset of at least 18 inches in depth. All parapets shall provide returns of at least six feet in depth at the end of the parapet face to avoid a false front appearance.

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FIGURE 3-11D MIXED USE BUILDINGS, ROOF LINE

3. Vertical Articulation. In buildings of two or more stories, upper and lower stories shall be distinguished by incorporating one or more of the following features. These features may be applied to the transitions between any floors, except where otherwise specified.

   • a. A change in facade materials, along with a change in plane at least one inch in depth at the transition between the two materials.

   • b. A horizontal design feature such as an awning, overhang, cornice line, water table, or belt course.

   • c. A base treatment a minimum of four feet at the ground floor consisting of a material such as stone, concrete masonry, or other material distinct from the remainder of the

facade and projecting at least two inches from the wall surface of the remainder of the building.

• d. Setting back the top floor or floors of the building at least five feet from the remainder of the façade.

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FIGURE 3-11E MIXED USE BUILDINGS, VERTICAL ARTICULATION

4. Waivers. Should the applicant elect not to meet the objective building design standards, the applicant may request a waiver pursuant to Chapter 16.176 (Waivers). A waiver of the building design requirements may be approved upon finding that adequate design features have been incorporated to create visual variety and avoid a large-scale and bulky appearance.

• E. Windows and Openings.

  1. Nonresidential Uses: Building Transparency/Required Openings. Exterior walls facing a street or pedestrian walkway shall include windows, doors, or other openings for at least 50% of the building wall area located between 2 1/2 and seven feet above the level of the sidewalk.

     • a. Design of Required Openings. Openings fulfilling this requirement shall have transparent glazing and provide views into work areas, display areas, sales areas, lobbies, or similar active spaces, or into window displays that are at least three feet deep.

• b. Waivers. Should the applicant elect not to meet the above objective building transparency/required openings standards, the applicant may request a waiver

pursuant to Chapter 16.176 (Waivers). A waiver of the building transparency/required openings requirements may be approved upon finding that:

• i. The proposed use has certain operational characteristics with which providing the required windows and openings is incompatible; and

• ii. Street-facing building walls exhibit architectural relief and detail, and are enhanced with landscaping to create visual interest at the pedestrian level.

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FIGURE 3-11F MIXED USE BUILDINGS, NONRESIDENTIAL USES: BUILDING TRANSPARENCY/REQUIRED OPENINGS

2. Residential Uses: Window Trim or Recess. Windows for residential uses shall have trim at least three inches wide and one-half inch in depth, or be recessed at least two inches from the plane of the surrounding exterior wall. Should the applicant elect not to meet the objective window trim or recess requirement, the applicant may request a waiver pursuant to Chapter 16.176 (Waivers). A waiver of the window trim or recess requirement may be approved upon finding that providing the required window trim or recess would be inconsistent with the architectural style of the structure and alternative methods have been incorporated to create shadow and depth along the facade.

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FIGURE 3-11G MIXED USE BUILDINGS, RESIDENTIAL USES: WINDOW TRIM OR RECESS

• F. Underground and Tuck Under Parking. The maximum above ground height of an underground or tuck under parking area within 20 feet of the primary street facing property line shall be three feet from finished grade.

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FIGURE 3-11H UNDERGROUND AND TUCK UNDER PARKING, MAXIMUM ABOVE GROUND HEIGHT

(Ord. 2025-06-03-1601, 6/3/2025)