HomeMy WebLinkAboutUrban Design District D Report_textbox.v2 rentonwa.gov/permitservices | planningcustomerservice@rentonwa.gov | 425-430-7294 06/01/2026 Page 1 of 23
CITY OF RENTON Ι PERMIT SERVICES
DESIGN DISTRICT “D” CHECKLIST
PURPOSE
Ensure compliance with design review regulations located in the Renton Municipal Code in order to:
•Maintain and protect property values;
•Enhance the general appearance of the City;
•Encourage creativity in building and site design;
•Achieve predictability, balanced with flexibility; and
•Consider the individual merits of proposals.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICANTS
This design district checklist asks you to describe some basic information about your proposal. The City will use
this checklist to determine whether the proposal complies with the Urban Design Regulations in the Renton
Municipal Code (RMC 4-3-100). Answer the questions briefly, with the most precise information known, or give the
best description you can.
There are two categories that have been established: (a) “minimum standards” that must be met, and (b)
“guidelines” that, while not mandatory, are considered by the Planning Director in determining if the proposed action
meets the intent of the design guidelines.
If you really do not know the answer, or if a question does not apply to your proposal, write "do not know" or "does not apply". Complete answers to the questions now may avoid unnecessary delays later.
A.SITE DESIGN AND BUILDING LOCATION
Intent: To ensure that buildings are located in relation to streets and other buildings so that the Vision of the City of
Renton can be realized for a high-density urban environment; so that businesses enjoy visibility from public rights-
of-way; and to encourage pedestrian activity throughout the district.
1.Building Location and Orientation
Intent: To ensure visibility of businesses and to establish active, lively uses along sidewalks and pedestrian
pathways. To organize buildings for pedestrian use and so that natural light is available to other structures and open
space. To ensure an appropriate transition between buildings, parking areas, and other land uses; and increase
privacy for residential uses.
Guideline Standard: Developments shall enhance the mutual relationship of buildings with each other, as
well as with the roads, open space, and pedestrian amenities while working to create a pedestrian oriented
environment. Lots shall be configured to encourage variety and so that natural light is available to buildings
and open space. The privacy of individuals in residential uses shall be provided for.
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Minimum Standard: The availability of natural light (both direct and reflected) and direct sun exposure to
nearby buildings and open space (except parking areas) shall be considered when siting structures.
Minimum Standard: Buildings shall be oriented to the street with clear connections to the sidewalk.
Minimum Standard: The front entry of a building shall be oriented to the street or a landscaped pedestrian-
only courtyard.
Minimum Standard: Buildings with residential uses located at the street level shall be:
a.Set back from the sidewalk a minimum of ten feet (10') and feature substantial landscaping
between the sidewalk and the building; or
b.Have the ground floor residential uses raised above street level for residents’ privacy.
Minimum Standard: Office buildings shall have pedestrian-oriented facades. In limited circumstances
the Administrator may allow facades that do not feature a pedestrian orientation; if so, substantial
landscaping between the sidewalk and building shall be provided. Such landscaping shall be at least
thirty feet (30') in width as measured from the sidewalk.
2.Building Entries
Intent: To make building entrances convenient to locate and easy to access, and ensure that building entries further
the pedestrian nature of the fronting sidewalk and the urban character of the district.
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Guideline Standard: Primary entries shall face the street, serve as a focal point, and allow space for social
interaction. All entries shall include features that make them easily identifiable while reflecting the
architectural character of the building. The primary entry shall be the most visually prominent entry.
Pedestrian access to the building from the sidewalk, parking lots, and/or other areas shall be provided and
shall enhance the overall quality of the pedestrian experience on the site.
Minimum Standard: The primary entrance of each building shall be:
a.Located on the facade facing a street, shall be prominent, visible from the street, connected by a
walkway to the public sidewalk, and include human-scale elements; and
b.Made visibly prominent by incorporating architectural features such as a facade overhang, trellis,
large entry doors, and/or ornamental lighting
Minimum Standard: Building entries from a street shall be clearly marked with canopies, architectural
elements, ornamental lighting, or landscaping and include weather protection at least four and one-half feet
(4-1/2') wide. Buildings that are taller than thirty feet (30') in height shall also ensure that the weather
protection is proportional to the distance above ground level.
Minimum Standard: Building entries from a parking lot shall be subordinate to those related to the street.
Minimum Standard: Features such as entries, lobbies, and display windows shall be oriented to a street or
pedestrian-oriented space; otherwise, screening or decorative features should be incorporated.
Minimum Standard: Multiple buildings on the same site shall direct views to building entries by providing a
continuous network of pedestrian paths and open spaces that incorporate landscaping.
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Minimum Standard: Ground floor residential units that are directly accessible from the street shall include:
a.Entries from front yards to provide transition space from the street; or
b.Entries from an open space such as a courtyard or garden that is accessible from the street.
3.Transition to Surrounding Development
Intent: To shape redevelopment projects so that the character and value of Renton’s long-established, existing
neighborhoods are preserved.
Guideline Standard: Careful siting and design treatment shall be used to achieve a compatible transition
where new buildings differ from surrounding development in terms of building height, bulk and scale.
Minimum Standard: At least one of the following design elements shall be used to promote a transition to
surrounding uses:
a.Building proportions, including step-backs on upper levels in accordance with the surrounding
planned and existing land use forms; or
b.Building articulation to divide a larger architectural element into smaller increments; or
c.Roof lines, roof pitches, and roof shapes designed to reduce apparent bulk and transition with
existing development.
Additionally, the Administrator may require increased setbacks at the side or rear of a building in order to
reduce the bulk and scale of larger buildings and/or so that sunlight reaches adjacent and/or abutting yards.
4.Service Element Location and Design
Intent: To reduce the potential negative impacts of service elements (i.e., waste receptacles, loading docks) by
locating service and loading areas away from high-volume pedestrian areas, and screening them from view in high
visibility areas.
Guideline Standard: Service elements shall be concentrated and located so that impacts to pedestrians and
other abutting uses are minimized. The impacts of service elements shall be mitigated with landscaping and
an enclosure with fencing that is made of quality materials. Service areas not adjacent to streets, pathways,
or pedestrian-oriented spaces are encouraged to implement vegetative screening in addition to or as part of
service enclosures.
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Minimum Standard: Service elements shall be located and designed to minimize the impacts on the
pedestrian environment and adjacent uses. Service elements shall be concentrated and located where they
are accessible to service vehicles and convenient for tenant use.
Minimum Standard: In addition to standard enclosure requirements, garbage, recycling collection, and utility
areas shall be enclosed on all sides, include a roof and be screened around their perimeter by a wall or fence
and have self-closing doors.
Minimum Standard: Service enclosures shall be made of masonry, ornamental metal or wood, or some
combination of the three (3).
Minimum Standard: If the service area is adjacent to a street, pathway, or pedestrian-oriented space, a
landscaped planting strip, minimum 3 feet wide, shall be located on 3 sides of such facility.
5.Gateways
Intent: To distinguish gateways as primary entrances to districts or to the City, special design features and
architectural elements at gateways should be provided. While gateways should be distinctive within the context of
the district, they should also be compatible with the district in form and scale.
Guideline Standard: Development that occurs at gateways shall be distinguished with features that visually
indicate to both pedestrians and vehicular traffic the uniqueness and prominence of their locations in the City.
Examples of these types of features include monuments, public art, and public plazas.
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Minimum Standard: Developments located at district gateways shall be marked with visually prominent
features.
Minimum Standard: Gateway elements shall be oriented toward and scaled for both pedestrians and
vehicles.
Minimum Standard: Visual prominence shall be distinguished by two or more of the following:
a.Public art;
b.Special landscape treatment;
c.Open space/plaza;
d.Landmark building form;
e.Special paving, unique pedestrian scale lighting, or bollards;
f.Prominent architectural features (trellis, arbor, pergola, or gazebo);
g.Neighborhood or district entry identification (commercial signs do not qualify).
B.PARKING AND VEHICULAR ACCESS
Intent: To provide safe, convenient access; incorporate various modes of transportation, including public transit, in
order to reduce traffic volumes and other impacts from vehicles; ensure sufficient parking is provided, while
encouraging creativity in reducing the impacts of parking areas; allow an active pedestrian environment by
maintaining contiguous street frontages, without parking lot siting along sidewalks and building facades; minimize
the visual impact of parking lots; and use access streets and parking to maintain an urban edge to the district.
1.Surface Parking
Intent: To maintain active pedestrian environments along streets by placing parking lots primarily in back of
buildings.
Guideline Standard: Surface parking shall be located and designed so as to reduce the visual impact of the
parking area and associated vehicles. Large areas of surface parking shall also be designed to accommodate
future infill development.
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Minimum Standard: Parking shall be located so that no surface parking is located between:
a.A building and the front property line; and/or
b.A building and the side property line (when on a corner lot).
Minimum Standard: Parking shall be located so that it is screened from surrounding streets by buildings,
landscaping, and/or gateway features as dictated by location.
2.Structured Parking Garages
Intent: To promote more efficient use of land needed for vehicle parking; encourage the use of structured parking;
physically and visually integrate parking garages with other uses; and reduce the overall impact of parking garages.
Guideline Standard: Parking garages shall not dominate the streetscape; they shall be designed to be
complementary with adjacent and abutting buildings. They shall be sited to complement, not subordinate,
pedestrian entries. Similar forms, materials, and/or details to the primary building(s) should be used to
enhance garages.
Minimum Standard: Parking structures shall provide space for ground floor commercial uses along street
frontages at a minimum of seventy five percent (75%) of the building frontage width
Minimum Standard: The entire public facing facade shall be pedestrian-oriented. The Administrator may
approve parking structures that do not feature a pedestrian orientation in limited circumstances. If allowed,
the structure shall be set back at least six feet (6') from the sidewalk and feature substantial landscaping. This
landscaping shall include a combination of evergreen and deciduous trees, shrubs, and ground cover. This
setback shall be increased to ten feet (10') when abutting a primary arterial and/or minor arterial.
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Minimum Standard: Public facing facades shall be articulated by arches, lintels, masonry trim, or other
architectural elements and/or materials.
Minimum Standard: The entry to the parking garage shall be located away from the primary street, to either
the side or rear of the building.
Minimum Standard: Parking garages at grade shall include screening or be enclosed from view with
treatment such as walls, decorative grilles, trellis with landscaping, or a combination of treatments.
Minimum Standard: The Administrator may allow a reduced setback where the applicant can successfully
demonstrate that the landscaped area and/or other design treatment meets the intent of these standards and
guidelines. Possible treatments to reduce the setback include landscaping components plus one or more of
the following integrated with the architectural design of the building:
a.Ornamental grillwork (other than vertical bars);
b.Decorative artwork;
c.Display windows;
d.Brick, tile, or stone;
e.Pre-cast decorative panels;
f.Vine-covered trellis;
g.Raised landscaping beds with decorative materials; or
h.Other treatments that meet the intent of this standard.
3.Vehicular Access
Intent: To maintain a contiguous, uninterrupted sidewalk by minimizing, consolidating and/or eliminating vehicular
access off streets.
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Guideline Standard: Vehicular access to parking garages and parking lots shall not impede or interrupt
pedestrian mobility. The impacts of curb cuts to pedestrian access on sidewalks shall be minimized.
Minimum Standard: Access to parking lots and garages shall be from alleys, when available. If not available,
access shall occur at side streets.
Minimum Standard: The number of driveways and curb cuts shall be minimized for vehicular access
purposes, so that pedestrian circulation along the sidewalk is minimally impeded.
C.PEDESTRIAN ENVIRONMENT
Intent: To enhance the urban character of development by creating pedestrian networks and by providing strong
links from streets and drives to building entrances; make the pedestrian environment safe, convenient, comfortable,
and pleasant to walk between businesses, on sidewalks, to and from access points, and through parking lots; and
promote the use of multi-modal and public transportation systems in order to reduce other vehicular traffic.
1.Pedestrian Circulation
Intent: To create a network of linkages for pedestrians, that is safe and convenient, enhances the pedestrian
environment, and provides a way for pedestrians to walk from one location to another without having to drive their
vehicle.
Guideline Standard: The pedestrian environment shall be given priority and importance in the design of
projects. Sidewalks and/or pathways shall be provided and shall provide safe access to buildings from parking
areas. Providing pedestrian connections to abutting properties is an important aspect of connectivity and
encourages pedestrian activity and shall be considered. Pathways shall be easily identifiable to pedestrians
and drivers.
Minimum Standard: A pedestrian circulation system of pathways that are clearly delineated and connect
buildings, open space, and parking areas with the sidewalk system and abutting properties shall be provided.
a.Pathways shall be located so that there are clear sight lines, to increase safety.
b.Pathways shall be an all-weather or appropriate permeable walking surface material, unless the
applicant can demonstrate that the proposed surface is appropriate for the anticipated number of
users and complementary to the design of the development.
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Minimum Standard: Pathways within parking areas shall be provided and differentiated by material or texture
(i.e., raised walkway, stamped concrete, or pavers) from abutting paving materials. Permeable materials are
encouraged. The pathways shall be perpendicular to the applicable building facade and no greater than one
hundred fifty feet (150') apart.
Minimum Standard: Sidewalks and pathways along the facades of buildings shall be of sufficient width to
accommodate anticipated numbers of users. Specifically:
a.Sidewalks and pathways along the facades of mixed use and retail buildings one hundred (100) or
more feet in width (measured along the facade) shall provide sidewalks at least twelve feet (12') in
width. The pathway shall include an eight-foot (8') minimum unobstructed walking surface.
b.Interior pathways shall be provided and shall vary in width to establish a hierarchy. The widths shall
be based on the intended number of users; to be no smaller than five feet (5') and no greater than
twelve feet (12').
Minimum Standard: Mid-block connections between buildings shall be provided.
Minimum Standard: Permeable pavement pedestrian circulation features shall be used where feasible,
consistent with the Surface Water Design Manual.
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2.Pedestrian Amenities
Intent: To create attractive spaces that unify the building and street environments and are inviting and comfortable
for pedestrians; and provide publicly accessible areas that function for a variety of year-round activities, under
typical seasonal weather conditions.
Guideline Standard: The pedestrian environment shall be given priority and importance in the design of
projects. Amenities that encourage pedestrian use and enhance the pedestrian experience shall be included.
Minimum Standard: Architectural elements that incorporate plants, particularly at building entrances, in
publicly accessible spaces and at facades along streets, shall be provided.
Minimum Standard: Amenities such as outdoor group seating, benches, transit shelters, fountains, and
public art shall be provided.
a.Site furniture shall be made of durable, vandal- and weather-resistant materials that do not retain
rainwater and can be reasonably maintained over an extended period of time.
b.Site furniture and amenities shall not impede or block pedestrian access to public spaces or
building entrances.
Minimum Standard: Pedestrian overhead weather protection in the form of awnings, marquees, canopies, or
building overhangs shall be provided. These elements shall be a minimum of four and one-half feet (4-1/2')
wide along at least seventy five percent (75%) of the length of the building facade facing the street, a maximum
height of fifteen feet (15') above the ground elevation, and no lower than eight feet (8') above ground level.
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D.RECREATION AREAS AND COMMON OPEN SPACE
1.Recreation Areas and Common Open Space
Intent: To ensure that areas for both passive and active recreation are available to residents, workers, and visitors
and that these areas are of sufficient size for the intended activity and in convenient locations. To create usable and
inviting open space that is accessible to the public; and to promote pedestrian activity on streets particularly at
street corners.
Guideline Standard: Developments located at street intersections should provide pedestrian-oriented space
at the street corner to emphasize pedestrian activity. Recreation and common open space areas are integral
aspects of quality development that encourage pedestrians and users. These areas shall be provided in an
amount that is adequate to be functional and usable; they shall also be landscaped and located so that they
are appealing to users and pedestrians.
Minimum Standard: All mixed use residential and attached housing developments of ten (10) or more
dwelling units shall provide common open space and/or recreation areas.
a.At minimum, fifty (50) square feet per unit shall be provided.
b.The location, layout, and proposed type of common space or recreation area shall be subject to
approval by the Administrator.
c.Open space or recreation areas shall be located to provide sun and light exposure to the area and
located so that they are aggregated to provide usable area(s) for residents.
d.For projects with more than one hundred (100) dwelling units, vegetated low impact development
facilities may be used in required or provided open space where feasible and designed consistent
with the Surface Water Design Manual. Such facilities shall be counted towards no more than fifty
percent (50%) of the required open space.
e.At least one of the following shall be provided in each open space and/or recreation area (the
Administrator may require more than one of the following elements for developments having more
than one hundred (100) units):
i.Courtyards, plazas, pea-patches, or multi-purpose open spaces;
ii. Upper level common decks, patios, terraces, or roof gardens. Such spaces above the street
level must feature views or amenities that are unique to the site and are provided as an asset to
the development;
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iii. Pedestrian corridors dedicated to passive recreation and separate from the public street
system;
iv. Recreation facilities including, but not limited to, tennis/sports courts, swimming pools,
exercise areas, game rooms, or other similar facilities; or
v.Children’s play spaces that are centrally located near a majority of dwelling units and visible
from surrounding units. They shall also be located away from hazardous areas such as garbage
dumpsters, drainage facilities, and parking areas.
f.The following shall not be counted toward the common open space or recreation area requirement:
i.Required landscaping, driveways, parking, or other vehicular use areas.
ii. Required yard setback areas. Except for areas that are developed as private or semi-private
(from abutting or adjacent properties) courtyards, plazas or passive use areas containing
landscaping and fencing sufficient to create a fully usable area accessible to all residents of the
development.
iii.Private decks, balconies, and private ground floor open space.
iv. Other required landscaping and sensitive area buffers without common access links, such
as pedestrian trails.
Minimum Standard: All buildings and developments with over thirty thousand (30,000) square feet of
nonresidential uses (excludes parking garage floorplate areas) shall provide pedestrian-oriented space.
a.The pedestrian-oriented space shall be provided according to the following formula: 1% of the site
area + 1% of the gross building area, at minimum.
b.The pedestrian-oriented space shall include all of the following:
i.Visual and pedestrian access (including barrier-free access) to the abutting structures from
the public right-of-way or a nonvehicular courtyard; and
ii.Paved walking surfaces of either concrete or approved unit paving; and
iii.On-site or building-mounted lighting providing at least four (4) foot-candles (average) on the
ground; and
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iv. At least three (3) lineal feet of seating area (bench, ledge, etc.) or one individual seat per sixty
(60)square feet of plaza area or open space.
c.The following areas shall not count as pedestrian-oriented space:
i. The minimum required walkway. However, where walkways are widened or enhanced beyond
minimum requirements, the area may count as pedestrian-oriented space if the Administrator
determines such space meets the definition of pedestrian-oriented space.
ii.Areas that abut landscaped parking lots, chain link fences, blank walls, and/or dumpsters or
service areas.
d.Outdoor storage (shopping carts, potting soil bags, firewood, etc.) is prohibited within pedestrian-
oriented space.
Minimum Standard: Open space substitution: see RMC 4-1-240.
Minimum Standard: Public plazas shall be provided at intersections identified in the Commercial Arterial
Zone Public Plaza Locations Map and as listed below.
Minimum Standard: The plaza shall measure no less than one thousand (1,000) square feet with a minimum
dimension of twenty feet (20') on one side abutting the sidewalk.
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Minimum Standard: The public plaza must be landscaped consistent with RMC 4-4-070, including at
minimum street trees, decorative paving, pedestrian-scaled lighting, and seating. Vegetated low impact
development facilities may be used in the plaza where feasible and designed consistent with the Surface
Water Design Manual. Such facilities shall count towards no more than fifty percent (50%) of the plaza
requirement.
Minimum Standard: Public plazas are to be provided at the following intersections:
a.Benson Area: Benson Drive S./108th Avenue S.E. and S.E. 176th.
b.Bronson Area: Intersections with Bronson Way North at:
i.Factory Avenue N./Houser Way S.;
ii.Garden Avenue N.; and
iii.Park Avenue N. and N. First Street.
c.Cascade Area: Intersection of 116th Avenue S.E. and S.E. 168th Street.
d.Northeast Fourth Area: Intersections with N.E. Fourth at:
i.Duvall Avenue N.E.;
ii.Monroe Avenue N.E.; and
iii.Union Avenue N.E.
e.Grady Area: Intersections with Grady Way at:
i.Lind Avenue S.W.;
ii.Rainier Avenue S.;
iii.Shattuck Avenue S.; and
iv.Talbot Road S.
f.Puget Area: Intersection of S. Puget Drive and Benson Road S.
g.Rainier Avenue Area: Intersections with Rainier Avenue S. at:
i.Airport Way/Renton Avenue S.;
ii.S. Second Street;
iii.S. Third Street/S.W. Sunset Boulevard;
iv.S. Fourth Street; and
v.S. Seventh Street.
h.North Renton Area: Intersections with Park Avenue N. at:
i.N. Fourth Street; and
ii.N. Fifth Street.
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i.Northeast Sunset Area: Intersections with N.E. Sunset Boulevard at:
i.Duvall Avenue N.E.; and
ii.Union Avenue N.E.
E.Building Architectural Design
Intent: To encourage building design that is unique and urban in character, comfortable on a human scale, and uses
appropriate building materials that are suitable for the Pacific Northwest climate and to discourage franchise retail
architecture.
1.Building Character and Massing
Intent: To ensure that buildings are not bland and so that they appear to be at a human scale, as well as to ensure
that all sides of a building which can be seen by the public are visually interesting.
Guideline Standard: Building facades shall be modulated and/or articulated to reduce the apparent size of
buildings, break up long blank walls, add visual interest, and enhance the character of the neighborhood.
Articulation, modulation, and their intervals should create a sense of scale important to residential buildings.
Minimum Standard: All building facades shall include modulation or articulation at intervals of no more than
forty feet (40').
Minimum Standard: Modulations shall be a minimum of two feet (2') deep, sixteen feet (16') in height, and
eight feet (8') in width.
Minimum Standard: Buildings greater than one hundred sixty feet (160') in length shall provide a variety of
modulations and articulations to reduce the apparent bulk and scale of the facade; or provide an additional
special feature such as a clock tower, courtyard, fountain, or public gathering area.
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2.Ground Level Details
Intent: To ensure that buildings are visually interesting and reinforce the intended human-scale character of the
pedestrian environment; and ensure that all sides of a building within near or distant public view have visual interest.
Guideline Standard: The use of material variations such as colors, brick, shingles, stucco, and horizontal
wood siding is encouraged. The primary building entrance should be made visibly prominent by incorporating
architectural features such as a facade overhang, trellis, large entry doors, and/or ornamental lighting. Detail
features should also be used, to include things such as decorative entry paving, street furniture (benches,
etc.), and/or public art.
Minimum Standard: Human-scaled elements such as a lighting fixture, trellis, or other landscape feature
shall be provided along the facade’s ground floor.
Minimum Standard: Upper portions of building facades shall have clear windows with visibility into and out
of the building. However, screening may be applied to provide shade and energy efficiency. The minimum
amount of light transmittance for windows shall be fifty percent (50%).
Minimum Standard: Display windows shall be designed for frequent change of merchandise, rather than
permanent displays. Display racks and fixtures may not obscure more than fifty percent (50%) of the window
space.
Minimum Standard: Window coverings, such as blinds and curtains, must be functional, they may not be
affixed so that they cannot be open and/or closed.
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Minimum Standard: All of the following are prohibited:
a.Tinted and dark glass, highly reflective (mirror-type) glass and film.
b.Untreated blank walls visible from public streets, sidewalks, or interior pedestrian pathways.
i.A wall (including building facades and retaining walls) is considered a blank wall if:
(a)It is a ground floor wall or portion of a ground floor wall over six feet (6') in height, has
a horizontal length greater than fifteen feet (15'), and does not include a window, door,
building modulation or other architectural detailing; or
(b)Any portion of a ground floor wall has a surface area of four hundred (400) square
feet or greater and does not include a window, door, building modulation or other
architectural detailing.
ii. If blank walls are required or unavoidable, they shall be treated. The treatment shall be
proportional to the wall and use one or more of the following:
(a)A planting bed at least five feet (5') in width abutting the blank wall that contains
trees, shrubs, evergreen ground cover, or vines;
(b)Trellis or other vine supports with evergreen climbing vines;
(c)Architectural detailing such as reveals, contrasting materials, or other special
detailing that meets the intent of this standard;
(d)Artwork, such as bas-relief sculpture, mural, or similar; or
(e)Seating area with special paving and seasonal planting.
Minimum Standard: Any facade visible to the public shall be comprised of at least fifty percent (50%)
transparent windows and/or doors for at least the portion of the ground floor facade that is between four feet
(4') and eight feet (8') above ground (as measured on the true elevation).
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Minimum Standard: Where windows or storefronts occur, they must principally contain clear glazing.
Tinted, dark, and highly reflective (mirror-type) glass and film are prohibited.
3.Building Roof Lines
Intent: To ensure that roof forms provide distinctive profiles and interest consistent with an urban project and
contribute to the visual continuity of the district.
Guideline Standard: Building roof lines shall be varied and include architectural elements to add visual
interest to the building.
Minimum Standard: At least one of the following elements shall be used to create varied and interesting roof
profiles:
a.Extended parapets;
b.Feature elements projecting above parapets;
c.Projected cornices;
d.Pitched or sloped roofs.
Minimum Standard: Roof mounted mechanical equipment shall not be visible to pedestrians.
Minimum Standard: Buildings containing predominantly residential uses shall have pitched roofs with a
minimum slope of one to four (1:4) and shall have dormers or interesting roof forms that break up the
massiveness of an uninterrupted sloping roof.
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4.Building Materials:
Intent: To ensure high standards of quality and effective maintenance over time and encourage the use of materials
that reduce the visual bulk of large buildings, as well as to encourage the use of materials that add visual interest to
the neighborhood.
Guideline Standard: Building materials are an important and integral part of the architectural design of a
building that is attractive and of high quality. Material variation shall be used to create visual appeal and
eliminate monotony of facades. This shall occur on all facades in a consistent manner. High quality materials
shall be used. If materials like concrete or block walls are used they shall be enhanced to create variation and
enhance their visual appeal.
Minimum Standard: All sides of buildings visible from a street, pathway, parking area, or open space shall be
finished with the same building materials, detailing, and color scheme. A different treatment may be used if
the materials are of the same quality.
Minimum Standard: All buildings shall use material variations such as colors, brick or metal banding,
patterns or textural changes.
Minimum Standard: Materials, individually or in combination, shall have texture, pattern, and be detailed on
all visible facades.
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Minimum Standard: Materials shall be durable, high quality, and consistent with more traditional urban
development, such as brick, integrally colored concrete masonry, pre-finished metal, stone, steel, glass and
cast-in-place concrete.
Minimum Standard: If concrete is used, walls shall be enhanced by techniques such as texturing, reveals,
and/or coloring with a concrete coating or admixture.
Minimum Standard: If concrete block walls are used, they shall be enhanced with integral color, textured
blocks and colored mortar, decorative bond pattern and/or shall incorporate other masonry materials.
Minimum Standard: All buildings shall use material variations such as colors, brick or metal banding,
patterns, or textural changes.
F.SIGNAGE
Minimum Standard: Signage shall be an integral part of the design approach to the building.
Minimum Standard: In mixed use and multi-use buildings, signage shall be coordinated with the overall
building design.
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Minimum Standard: Corporate logos and signs shall be sized appropriately for their location.
Minimum Standard: Entry signs shall be limited to the name of the larger development.
Minimum Standard: Alteration of trademarks notwithstanding, corporate signage should not be garish in
color nor overly lit, although creative design, strong accent colors, and interesting surface materials and
lighting techniques are encouraged.
Minimum Standard: Front-lit, ground-mounted monument signs are the preferred type of freestanding sign.
Minimum Standard: Blade type signs, proportional to the building facade on which they are mounted, are
encouraged on pedestrian-oriented streets.
Minimum Standard: Prohibited signs include:
a.Pole signs;
b.Roof signs;
c.Back-lit signs with letters or graphics on a plastic sheet (can signs or illuminated cabinet signs).
Exceptions: Back-lit logo signs less than ten (10) square feet are permitted as are signs with only
the individual letters back-lit.
Minimum Standard: Freestanding ground-related monument signs, with the exception of primary entry signs,
shall be limited to five feet above finished grade, including support structure.
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Minimum Standard: Freestanding signs shall include decorative landscaping (ground cover and/or shrubs)
to provide seasonal interest in the area surrounding the sign. Alternately, signage may incorporate stone, brick,
or other decorative materials as approved by the Director.
G.LIGHTING
Intent: To ensure safety and security; provide adequate lighting levels in pedestrian areas such as plazas, pedestrian
walkways, parking areas, building entries, and other public places; and increase the visual attractiveness of the area
at all times of the day and night.
Guideline Standard: Lighting that improves pedestrian safety and also that creates visual interest in the
building and site during the evening hours shall be provided.
Minimum Standard: Pedestrian-scale lighting shall be provided at primary and secondary building entrances.
Examples include sconces on building facades, awnings with down-lighting and decorative street lighting.
Minimum Standard: Accent lighting shall also be provided on building facades (such as sconces) and/or to
illuminate other key elements of the site such as gateways, specimen trees, other significant landscaping,
water features, and/or artwork.
Minimum Standard: Downlighting shall be used in all cases to assure safe pedestrian and vehicular
movement, unless alternative pedestrian-scale lighting has been approved administratively or is specifically
listed as exempt from provisions located in RMC 4-4-075, Lighting, Exterior On-Site (i.e., signage,
governmental flags, temporary holiday or decorative lighting, right-of-way lighting, etc.).