Residential Design Principles

Background

On August 15, 2000, the City Council adopted the Multi-Family Design Principles document. At a subsequent meeting on September 5, 2000, the Council approved the Single Family Design Principles document.
The documents will provide homebuilders and developers with design principles that the Planning Commission and City Council endorse and expect to see reflected in new projects.
The Design Principles should be used for the review and conditioning of new projects that are subject to discretionary planning entitlements.
The Design Principles are intended to provide guidance in areas where no design guidelines exists, and to complement design guidelines where they exist.

Program Focus

The goal of the design principles documents is to provide guidance for desirable elements to be considered in new residential development. The information provided in the principles will provide opportunities for:

improved initial designs
consistent review by staff
reduced application processing time (fewer re-designs)
more efficient City review
sustainable development practices

For Further Information

Single Family Residential Design Principles (PDF: 140kB)
Multi-Family Residential Design Principles (PDF: 618kB)
Contact Luis Sanchez , Director of Design Review at 916-808-5957
The Single Family and Multi-Family Residential Design Principles documents are available free of cost at the public counter, 915 I Street, Second Floor, or by requesting the publication by calling 916-808-5656.