Burbank City Council
February 15, 2022

City of Burbank
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ATTACHMENT 4-254

Neighborhood Compatibility Residential Design Guidelines Table of Contents

1. Design Guidelines Purpose

2. Neighborhood Compatibility Review and Approval
Process

3. Design Guidelines Objectives

4. Neighborhood Design Contexts
A. Flats
B. Cut Hillside
C. Rancho
D. Hillside

5. Burbank’s Characteristic Architectural Styles
A. Craftsman Style
B. Spanish Revival Style
C. T udor Style
D. Minimal Traditional/Colonial Revival Style
E. Ranch Style
F. Split-Level Style
G. Storybook Style

6. Single-Family Design Guidelines
A. Dwelling Setbacks
B. Dwelling Orientation
C. Rooflines
D. Major and Minor Massing
E. Modulation
F. Residential Dwelling Height, Upper Stories,
and Height Transitions
G. Windows
H. 360° Architecture
I. Accessory Structures
J. Fences and Property Line Walls
K. Landscape
L. Use of Characteristic Residential Architectural
Styles
M. Use of Other Architectural Styles

7. Application Materials

8. Glossary

9. City of Burbank Neighborhood Compatibility
Review - Design Guidelines Checklist
Figure 1 - The look, feel, and experience of Burbank’s
single-family residential streets and architecture is a key factor that defines the environmental quality of this city.

ATTACHMENT 4-255

City of Burbank
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ATTACHMENT 4-256

Neighborhood Compatibility Residential Design Guidelines Figure 2 - The continuity of the streetscape through the Rancho and Flats neighborhoods including the preponderance of one-story homes on both sides of the street is a treasured context for Burbank residents.

ATTACHMENT 4-257

City of Burbank

1. Design Guidelines Purpose
These City of Burbank Single-Family Residential
Design Guidelines (Guidelines) are utilized by
project applicants, home owners, architects and
residential designers to assist in the development
of residential designs that relate to existing single-
family neighborhood contexts.

These Guidelines were developed in response to
community concerns that there are too many
examples of new single-family construction that
do not relate to the scale and character of existing
homes, and that the cumulative impact of non-
contextual single-family dwelling construction
diminishes Burbank’s neighborhood quality
and values. T o address these concerns, the City
adopted an Interim Control Ordinance on
April 1, 2015. Simultaneously the City retained
consultants and undertook a planning process
to address the challenges and opportunities
associated with alterations, additions, and new
construction of single-family residences.

Concerns noted during “walkshops” of
neighborhoods, public workshops, meetings,
group and one-on-one conversations, and surveys
included observations that many new dwellings
are much larger than adjoining residences, new
second floors on existing homes sometimes loom
over adjacent yards and single-story homes, over
height fences and walls are too often located
inappropriately in yards, new or expanded
garages are placed contrary to existing patterns of
development, hillside views are impeded by new
construction, and the quality and character of
new architecture is inappropriate in relationship
to characteristic Burbank styles. At the same time
there were many voices that expressed a need
to balance the qualities of existing residential
development patterns with contemporary lifestyles
that include larger multi-generational families,
trends towards increased home sizes, increases in
automobile ownership and larger garages, and
individual design expression.

These Guidelines seek to balance these issues
and concerns. They are primarily based upon the
enduring qualities and characteristics that for
decades have shaped Burbank’s existing single-
family residential neighborhoods and at the same
time acknowledge that new home-building trends
and expressions.

The Guidelines first and foremost create a
framework of design decision-making that relates
new structures and additions to the settings,
orientation, forms, masses, and characters of
Burbank’s residential communities.

Specifically, the Guidelines are used by applicants
to understand community expectations for design
of residential construction, and utilized by City
staff and decision-makers to process and approve
Neighborhood Compatibility Review applications
(see also Section 10-1-106 of the Municipal
Code) for new homes, additions to existing
homes, alterations to structures, and residential
landscapes.

ATTACHMENT 4-258

Neighborhood Compatibility Residential Design Guidelines

2. Neighborhood Compatibility Review and Approval Process A. Purpose - The purpose of neighborhood
compatibility review is to enhance the character of
Burbank’s residential neighborhoods and ensure that
the design of new homes, additions, and alterations to
existing dwellings relates to the existing community
character. Design review by City staff is intended to
promote high-quality design, which will be achieved
with well-crafted and maintained buildings and
landscaping, use of high-quality building materials,
and well-executed details. This review shall be
carried out in a manner that encourages creative and
appropriate solutions while avoiding unnecessary
delays in project approval or burdens on projects that
are deemed approved.

B. Applicability and Review Process - Neighborhood
compatibility review and compliance is required for
all projects for which a building permit is required
that involves new construction, additions, and/or
exterior alterations greater than 500 square feet, or
resulting in a house with a Floor Area Ratio (FAR)
greater than 0.35, or resulting in a house greater
than 3,500 square feet. Neighborhood compatibility
review will be conducted by City staff simultaneously
with other required permit reviews including those
for Single Family Development Permits and Hillside
Development Permits.

C. Design Review - Design review is a discretionary
review process for projects where the FAR is more than

0.35 or more than 500 square feet are being added. In
these cases, compliance with the Design Guidelines, as
adopted by the City Council, is required. Reasonable
conditions of approval may be imposed as part of the
design review process including limitations on building size, height, and setbacks (see also Section 2.E below).

Alterations, additions, and repairs that do not change
any aspect of the exterior appearance or footprint of
a structure, including replacement in-kind of existing
building features, do not require Design Review.

D. Scope of Design Review - Neighborhood
compatibility design review shall be based on
consideration of the following features of a permit
submittal and/or application:

1. Prevailing and/or transitional heights, massing,
setbacks and garage location so as to relate to
neighborhood built-form patterns.

2. Orientation and location of main residential
buildings and accessory structures in relationship
to streets, topography, yards, and other physical
features of the existing built and natural
environment.

3. The size, location, and arrangement of on-site
parking and paved areas.

4. Building massing, bulk, and skyline appearance.

5. Height, materials, and variety of fences, walls,
and screen plantings.

6. Location and type of landscaping, including
selection and size of plant materials, and design
of hardscape.

E. Required Findings - Prior to approving an
application for neighborhood compatibility review,
the Director or his/her designee must make all of the
following findings on the basis of the application and
the design submitted:

1. That the proposal is consistent with City zoning
standards

2. The proposal, as submitted or modified by
conditions of approval is consistent with the
adopted Design Guidelines as determined by use
of the Design Guidelines Checklist.

ATTACHMENT 4-259

City of Burbank
F. Limitations On Building Size, Height, and
Setback - Where a project is subject to Neighborhood
Compatibility Review, the Director or his/her designee
may impose more restrictive size and height limitations and may require greater setbacks and required yards
than those specified in this article where specific and unusual site circumstances or natural or topographic
features such as the following are present on the site:

1. The lot has an irregular configuration (e.g., a flag lot).

2. The proposed building site is located on a steep
slope above or below a street or other homes.

3. The lot contains natural or topographic features;
large trees or other significant vegetation; other
significant site features such as a major rock
outcropping; other drainage way or riparian
area(s); areas of very steep slope which limit the
practical building area on the lot; is in a visually
prominent location; or portions of the lot are
inaccessible due to a creek or other feature
intersecting the lot.

4. The maximum permitted size and/or height
would result in a home and/or garage which is/
are not generally compatible with the scale of
other homes and/or garages in the vicinity such
as where, for example, the lot is considerably
larger than other lots in the vicinity.

G. Appeals - Neighborhood compatibility review
decisions are subject to appeal to the Planning Board
under the provisions of Section 10-10-1907-3. Appeal
of a neighborhood compatibility review decision shall
be based on design issues that are within the scope
of this article and the purview of the Community
Development Director unless the appellant asserts
that the Director’s decision exceeded the authority
granted for conducting the review. Consistent with the
requirements in Section 10-10-1907, evidence must
be provided to the Planning Board as to the ability to
make the required findings and consistency with the
approved Design Guidelines.

H. Conformance to Approved Plans Required -
All building permit plans shall incorporate all of the
project elements reviewed as part of the determination
of project compatibility when issuing the Single
Family Development Permit. All construction shall
comply with building permit plans approved following
neighborhood compatibility review and issuance of
the Single Family Development Permit unless very
minor modifications or changes are approved by the
Community Development Director.

ATTACHMENT 4-260

Neighborhood Compatibility Residential Design Guidelines Application
/T_hat Meets Submittal Requirements 1
Approval
Yes
Staff-Level Neighborhood
Compatibility Review
No
Yes
No
Resubmit
FAR ≤ 0.35
AND
Additional Area ≤ 500 sf
AND
No Change to Exterior
Appearance
Compliance
With Design Guideline
Checklist2
Appeal3
Withdraw
Application
Neighborhood Compatibility Review and Approval Process
Notes

1. See Section 7 - Application Materials.

2. See Section 9.

3. See Section 2.G.

Figure 3 - Neighborhood Compatibility Review and Approval Process ATTACHMENT 4-261

City of Burbank

3. Design Guidelines Objectives
All residential design projects ideally begin with careful study and observation of the existing neighborhood
and then use this study and observation to relate to
and conserve an existing neighborhood setting. The
Design Guidelines Objectives (Objectives) of this
section provide an overarching yet flexible design
framework to assist in the realization of this goal. The Objectives acknowledge characteristic Burbank settings
and architectural styles while allowing for additional
architectural expressions, including contemporary and
innovative architecture.

A. Projects that are subject to these Design Guidelines shall be in compliance with the Objectives of this
section. A project shall be determined to be in
compliance with these Objectives, as determined
by the Director or his/her designee, if compliance
with the Design Guidelines Checklist described in
Section 8, is met.

B. Notwithstanding the Design Guidelines of Section
6 below, when an appeal to a Director or his/
her designee Neighborhood Compatibility review
decision is filed by an Applicant, in addition to
any required findings that may be required by the
Municipal Code, the design shall be determined to
be in compliance with the Objectives of this Section
as follows:

1. A project design shall follow the prevailing
setbacks at front and side yards and
provide similar entry and residence orientation
as seen at the majority of other residences on the
same block on the same side of the street

2. A project design shall maintain the prevailing
neighborhood pattern of garage placement and
orientation in relationship to the main residential
structure on the lot. When the prevailing garage
placement pattern allows for placement of a
front-yard-adjoining garage, the impact of this
type shall be minimized by subordinating the
length and height of the garage in relationship
to the front building plane of the residential
structure.

3. The bulk, mass, and skyline of a project design
shall relate to the prevailing scale of adjoining
residential properties as seen from the front
yard and the street by utilizing similar heights,
roof types, and massing, or establishing distinct
transitions in height, mass, bulk, and skyline
that relate and subordinate new construction,
and in particular upper level stories, to adjoining
residences along the same side of the block and
street.

4. The architectural character of a design shall
extend to all building facades. When a
characteristic Burbank architectural style, as
defined by Section 5 below, is used for a project
design, the design shall be consistent with
examples of the characteristic architectural style
as seen in the community and/or as developed
through research.

ATTACHMENT 4-262

Neighborhood Compatibility Residential Design Guidelines

4. Neighborhood Design Contexts
Four key and distinct single-family residential
neighborhood types have been observed in Burbank;
“Flats,” “Cut-Hillside,” “Rancho,” and “Hillside.” Each is shaped by divergent topography, lot sizes, and the
era of development. In general, the Flats were the first neighborhoods developed in Burbank, starting in the
1920s. The Rancho and Cut-Hillside neighborhoods
followed, with much of the construction in these areas
occurring before and after World War II and through the 1950s. While Hillside neighborhoods were developed
from the City’s inception, much of the construction in
the hillier areas of the community is more recent. While the character of all of these neighborhoods is eclectic, inclusive of a variety of architectural styles ranging from the traditional to the whimsical, to the contemporary (see also Section 5, Characteristic Architectural Styles), there is nevertheless overall consistency and continuity of observed setbacks, massing, heights, and landscape expression on a neighborhood-by-neighborhood basis.

The Design Guidelines of Section 6 are based upon the
goal of conserving the settings and character of the four neighborhood types. When proposing a project, the design should begin with an understanding, of and sensitivity to, the specific neighborhood context as well as the adjoining property characteristics. T o assist this understanding, the following descriptions of the key neighborhood types are provided.

Figure 4 - A view down Hampton road from Scott road.

ATTACHMENT 4-263

City of Burbank
A. Flats.

Flats incorporate some of the oldest residential
communities in Burbank and contain the largest
percentage of homes in the city. Smaller lot sizes and
shallow side yard setbacks between typically one-story
pitched roof homes establish a built-form pattern that
is compact, but with a sense of space, light, and air
between structures. Residential streetscapes are lined
with shade trees.

The design character of the Flats is established by an
eclectic mix of Spanish Revival, Colonial Revival/
Minimal T raditional, and Ranch homes. An occasional
Storybook, Art-Deco, or Contemporary design
compliments the diversity of styles. While each house
is unique, common elements include respect for front
setbacks and use of pitched roofs appropriate to the
house’s architectural style. Other observed architectural components include front-facing picture and bay
windows as well as covered porches. Along most streets
in the Flats, garages are located to the rear of lots.

Figure 5 - Small single-family homes with garages placed to the rear of the lot characterize the Flats.

Figure 6 - One story construction characterizes the sidewalk and neighborhood context in the Flats.

Figure 7 - Front-facing picture/bay windows, covered porches and awnings are observed as typical architectural components in the Flats. Note the massing of the second-story addition to the rear maintaining the one-story context.

ATTACHMENT 4-264

Neighborhood Compatibility Residential Design Guidelines Figure 8 - Illustration of the typical houses, yards, and features seen in the “Flats”. In these neighborhoods, the quality of the experience is created by the consistency of front yard setbacks and landscaping, clearly delineated entries oriented to the sidewalk, low one-story heights with higher second stories and masses set back from the front yards, and the preponderance of garages placed within rear yards. T o maintain these architectural qualities, the Design Guidelines encourage the conservation of these built form patterns when designing alterations, additions, and new homes. ±50’Typ. Lot Width
±125’
Typ. Lot Depth
Typically single-story
Prevailing
setback
Pitched roof
Second story setback
Covered Porch Side yard setback
Garage rear of lot, typical
ATTACHMENT 4-265

City of Burbank
B. Cut Hillside.

Cut Hillside communities are the second-most
predominant neighborhood type in Burbank and
were developed both before and after World War II.

Lots trend larger than in the Flats. Here, in contrast
to the Flats, sloping topography is step-graded into
flat building pads along the length of the streets. Low retaining walls, often constructed of clay or concrete
brick, are often built perpendicular to the public
roadways. Occasionally, retaining walls wrap around
the front lawn to support an elevated lot, creating a
street-facing wall along the front property line.

Homes in the Cut Hillside neighborhoods are
typically one- and two-story multi-level pitched roofs.

Front yard facing garages are more common than
in the Flats, reflecting changing attitudes towards
the importance of cars and increased automobile
ownership after the war. A few properties employ
front yard car courts with garages set beneath a front
gabled structure and the main residence set behind the
garage. Regardless of the placement of the garage, front setbacks remain typically uniform.

While a range of 20th Century building styles are
seen in the Cut Hillside communities, many homes,
because of the later period of development, reflect
Ranch and T raditional Minimal influences. Given
the topography, many also incorporate Split-Level
designs, introducing a sense of varied massing, multi-
level height, and modulation along the Cut Hillside
neighborhood street frontages.

Figure 9 - Sloping topography that is step-graded into flat building pads characterizes Cut Hillside neighborhoods
Figure 10 - Cut Hillside homes often deploy multi-ridged roofs at differing levels, reducing the bulk of the residence.

Figure 11 - Changes in topography across Cut Hillside lots often allows garages to be discretely tucked into the cross-section of a parcel.

ATTACHMENT 4-266

Neighborhood Compatibility Residential Design Guidelines ±60’Typ. Lot Width
±160’
Typ. Lot Depth
Sloping topography step-graded
into /f_lat building pads
Prevailing
setback
1- & 2- story building with
multi-level pitched roofs
1- & 2- story building with
multi-level pitched roofs
Split-level designs due to topography
Retaining wall built perpendicular to
roadway providing support for level lot
Front yard facing garages are more
common in Cut Hill Side Neightborhoods
Figure 12 - Illustration of the typical houses, yards, and features seen in the “Cut Hillside” districts. In these neighborhoods, the quality of the experience is created by the consistency of front yard setbacks and landscaping, multi- ridged pitched rooflines that reduce bulk, and garage placement and massing that is subordinate to the primary mass and character of the house. T o maintain these architectural qualities, the Design Guidelines encourage the conservation of these built form patterns when designing alterations, additions, and new homes.

ATTACHMENT 4-267

City of Burbank
C. Rancho.

Curving along Burbank’s border with the City of
Glendale, the Rancho’s character derives from the
equestrian needs of the community. Horse trails follow
roadways or the rear of properties along the edge of
the Los Angeles River. Homes display broader and
lower architectural massing that takes advantage of the generally larger lot sizes. Typical streets are well shaded by generous tree canopies.

One and two-story Ranch style homes are
predominant, though Spanish Revival, Colonial
Revival, and T raditional Minimal styles are also
common. Occasional split-level homes and Storybook
style residences are also seen. Front lawns are deeper.

Hipped and low slope roofs are typical. Garages or
carports are accessed from the sides of lots and are
often contiguous with the front of the residence, with
doors and distinct massing incorporated into the
facade.

Figure 13 - Low pitched and broad roofs and single-story homes characterize the Rancho style of architecture.

Figure 14 - In the Rancho, trees shade front lawns. In this residence, change in materials, from brick to vertical board and batten at the garage, and its separate small projecting mass, subordinate this latter volume in relationship to the horizontal length and breadth of the home. The entry, marked by the recess in the front wall plane, creates further visual interest.

Figure 15 - The garage of this home is contiguous with the front of the main massing of the residence, but the lowered ridgeline subordinates its mass to the primary bulk of the dwelling.

ATTACHMENT 4-268

Neighborhood Compatibility Residential Design Guidelines Figure 16 - Illustration of the typical houses, yards, and features seen in the “Rancho” districts. In these neighborhoods, the quality of the experience is created by the consistency of front yard setbacks and landscaping, simple one-story massing topped by low pitched hipped and gabled roof ridges, and garage placement and massing that is subordinate to the primary mass and character of the house. Entries are typically recessed from the front façade plane, set back under shallow porches.

T o maintain these architectural qualities, the Design Guidelines encourage the conservation of these built form patterns when designing alterations, additions, and new homes.
±60’ - 70’Typ. Lot Width
±135’
Typ. Lot Depth
Low pitched roofs
Boarder and lower predominantly
1-story massing takes
advantage of larger lot sizes
Deeper front lawns
Garage contiguous
with front facade
Prevailing
setback
ATTACHMENT 4-269

City of Burbank
D. Hillside.

Along the ridgelines of the Verdugo Mountains,
Hillside neighborhoods enjoy views of Downtown
Burbank, the Flats, the Bob Hope Airport, and the San
Fernando Valley. Hillside lots are generally larger, but often greatly vary in size and are set amidst switchback streets that follow the steeper topography that edges
the city.

Unlike the Cut Hillside communities, many of
the homes in the Hillside neighborhoods are set
within the hillside and massing consequently follows
the topography. Minimal grading results in more
irregularity of front yard setbacks, more street-facing garages, and greater variety of built-forms. Garages
are typically attached to the main structure with entry points at the front facade.

As many homes follow the topography, house-by-
house (and even within the same structure) there are
variations in rooflines, heights, and bulk as buildings move up and down the hillside. Retaining walls
are also common where changes in grade call for
adjustments in elevation.

In the hillside communities, one-, two-, and
sometimes three-story homes are observed. However,
there are hillside subdivisions where there is great
consistency of building types; for instance, there
are tracts from the 1960s and 1970s where almost
all of the homes are one-story. This consistency is
often prized. There are other blocks in the hillside
neighborhoods where one sees a mix of both one- and
two-story structures and some homes are able to realize a third story tucked into a downslope or upslope
conditions. Street by street, fit within the topography and sensitivity to existing story heights of adjoining
properties as well as maintenance of views to and from
properties are typical design considerations that should shape architectural decisions. Though there is no
one dominant style of architecture utilized in hillside neighborhoods, architectural character ranges across
20th Century styles, with numerous Spanish Revival,
Craftsman, Minimal T raditional, and Split-Level
examples seen.

Figure 17 - The most visually fitting Hillside residences are cut into and/or follow the topography to reduce the perception of height and bulk and honor the natural settings.

Figure 18 - Along some streets in the Hillside neighborhoods, irregular and topographically challenging sites lead to innovative expressions. Here the visual impact of the three-car garage is diminished by the character of the projecting roof, recess, and horizontal glass of the third level, creating a visual crown that leads the eye upward.

Figure 19 - This three-story home on a downslope lot follows the topography by having one story below street level, reducing the bulk and mass observed. Note the below-grade minimally visible garage.

ATTACHMENT 4-270

Neighborhood Compatibility Residential Design Guidelines Figure 20 - Illustration of the typical houses, yards, and features seen in the “Hillside” districts. In these neighborhoods, the quality of the experience is primarily established when residences have a sense of fit that follows the topography. The overall bulk of homes is broken down by secondary and subordinate masses, ridge lines of roofs are broken and follow the topography, reducing the perception of height. While garages on both upslope and downslope sites often adjoin front yards, they are subordinate to the overall mass and bulk. In Hillside subdivisions there is great consistency of setbacks, heights, and architectural character forming a strong context that alterations, additions, and new construction need to address. T o maintain these architectural qualities, the Design Guidelines encourage the conservation of these built form patterns when designing alterations, additions, and new homes.

Typ. Lot Width Varies
Typ. Lot Depth Varies
Street-facing garages
Prevailing
setback
Building with varied
form; typically max.
2-stories, modulated
bulk and mass
Generally larger lots
that are varied in size
Steeper topography
with minimal grading
Retaining walls are common
where changes in grade call
for adjustments in elevation
Building with varied
form; typically 2-stories
ATTACHMENT 4-271

City of Burbank

5. Characteristic Architectural Styles
Almost every architectural style that has been
historically utilized for the design of American
homes since Burbank’s incorporation in 1911 is seen
in this city. During the time of Burbank’s greatest
growth, the 1920’s to the 1950’s, five period styles
collectively established the architectural character of the neighborhoods; “Craftsman”, “Spanish Revival”,
“T udor”, “Minimal T raditional with Colonial Revival”, and “Ranch”. T wo additional styles “Storybook” and
“Split-Level” may be seen respectively as a fanciful
1920s outlier style and a post-war building type, both
creating distinct impact when encountered.

High quality examples of every architectural expression from traditional to contemporary are present in
Burbank’s neighborhoods and these Guidelines
encourage all forms of creative expression. Many
homeowners choose to make additions to existing
homes or build new homes utilizing existing
community design cues. In these cases, careful
observation of the characteristics of these seven styles, how they utilize rooflines, modulate massing, deploy
proportions, incorporate materials and colors, and
express features and details such as porches, window
divides, and overhangs, stimulates design knowledge
as well as points of design departure. T o assist in
understanding these design choices, the following
descriptions of the seven characteristic Burbank
residential architectural styles and types are provided.

Figure 21 - This Tudor style home has steep roofs, expressed on the front façade by different sized equilateral-shaped gables. The roofed bay window contrasts with the vertical and narrow slot windows. The decorative brick and stucco chimney introduces additional visual variety and interest to this house.

ATTACHMENT 4-272

Neighborhood Compatibility Residential Design Guidelines A. Craftsman Style
Rustic in its feeling and typically incorporating
indoor-outdoor relationships, Craftsman architecture
establishes a natural sensibility through use of gabled and overhanging roof forms, eaves with expressed
structure and detail, raised and broad porches, and
typical use of shingles, wood siding, and earth-tone
materials and colors. Craftsman houses are typically
raised several steps off the ground and sit on exposed
foundation walls, sometimes of cobbled stone tapered
at the corners. Protruding rafter tails and brackets
visually support roof eaves while rooflines maintain
a low pitch. When more than one story is present,
dormers with lower ridgelines are subordinated to the
main ridgeline, which often sits behind and parallel
to the front façade. Entryway porches are covered
by broad roofs, supported by roof-to-foundation
columns, and extend across the front façade. Windows
are often divided and typically at least one prominent
window or window bay faces the front yard.

B. Spanish Revival Style
Red tiles on multi-level or cross-gabled roofs, light
colored stucco walls, asymmetry, and decorative
exposed beams at overhangs and gables characterize
this characteristically Southern California style.

Roofs typically have little or no overhang and are of
low to moderate pitch, rarely exceeding a 1:3 slope.

Entryways are framed by columns or arches and some
houses incorporate arcade components or landscaped
forecourts. On more decorative residences, doors and
openings are outlined with spiral columns, carved
stonework, or patterned surrounds of tiles. Windows
may also be arched and divided, and sometimes are
further defined by decorative treatments such as wood
or iron grilles. Square or rounded towers with hipped
and polygonal roofs may be incorporated into and
punctuate the roofline and offset building wings.

Chimneys create additional visual counterpoints
and are often topped with terracotta pots. T wo-story
massing is typically modulated by lower gabled wings
and ells that break up the bulk of the residence.

Figure 22 - A Craftsman style home with expressed structure and a front-facing open gable. The recessed porch, raised three steps above the front lawn, invites entry.

Figure 23 - Asymmetric massing and a forward-thrusting but subordinate living room mass characterize this Spanish Revival dwelling. The 1:3 roof pitch pierced by a trapezoidal chimney, use of red roof tile and light colored stucco, recessed front entry, and low-walled forecourt are all typical of the style.

ATTACHMENT 4-273

City of Burbank
C. T udor Style
Steeply pitched cross-gable and multi-ridged roofs
with proportions based on near-equilateral triangles,
decorative half-timbering, use of stucco or brick,
and vertical sensibility mark the T udor style. Roofs
commonly include protruding dormers and massive
decorative brick chimneys that may be crowned with
decorative tops. Homes are typically side-gabled and
incorporate a prominent front facing, sometimes
overhanging, triangular gable at the second level that
encompasses an offset main entryway. Doors are
framed with round or T udor arches, sometimes feature
observation windows, and are often of board and
batten construction. Facades are a balanced collage of
offset asymmetrical planes with windows clustered in
tall, narrow, multi-pane groupings. Common materials
include stucco and masonry, as well as decorative wood
and half-timbering.

D. Minimal Traditional/Colonial Revival Style
Simple in massing and detail, the design of a Minimal
T raditional home is often realized using stucco,
horizontal lap siding, or brick panels facing the street.

Massing is predominantly side-gabled (Cape Cod in
derivation), with pitched roofs sloping towards the
sidewalk, through many examples utilize side-hipped
roofs creating a greater sense of horizontal expression.

Use of decorative vertical siding under street-facing
gabled roof forms is also common. Windows are
typically double-hung and often paired and framed
by shutters. Main doors are accented with sidelights
and overhead lamps. Second stories are expressed as
a secondary mass rising behind the parallel-to-the-
street main ridgeline. This style, popular in Burbank,
is often embellished with simplified Colonial Revival
treatments, including decorative crowns at entryway
doors, shallow pitched roofs over entries, side porches supported by slender pillars, and living rooms
expressed as forward thrusting gabled or hipped house
wings.

Figure 24 - A Tudor style home with diamond window panes, a board and batten entry door, and half timbering. Note also the steeply pitched roofs and equilateral gable that faces the street that expresses the function of the main living area.

Figure 25 - A home with decorative shutters, and low pitched and hipped roofs, as well as minimal detailing exemplifies the Minimal Traditional/Colonial Revival style.

ATTACHMENT 4-274

Neighborhood Compatibility Residential Design Guidelines F. Split-Level Style
This post World War II modern type is best suited
and most often seen along the sloping grades of
either the Cut Hillside or Hillside neighborhoods.

Split-level homes are often realized as variants of
Minimal T raditional and Ranch styles, though the type
accommodates all architectural expressions. Split-
level buildings typically stack three levels along the
length of a sloped grade. These tri-level buildings are connected by half-flights of stairs in the interior. At the exterior, the entry level and garage are connected
either by a short stair or sloped sidewalk. Garages are typically built into the lowest level and face the street.

Front entries are situated half a level up adjacent to
the garage. Second levels usually sit over the garage
and sit partially over the one-story living area, realizing a one and one-half level massing with multi-level
overhanging low-pitched roofs that are either gabled
or hipped. The overall result accommodates generous
square footage with a sense of reduced bulk and
modulated mass.

E. Ranch Style
This popular post-World War II style incorporates
longer, ground-hugging designs with gently pitched
and sometimes hipped roofs reaching to the horizon.

Shallow entries and porches, sometimes supported
by slender wood columns, rest under deep-set eaves.

Mostly one story tall, these structures use brick,
wood, stone and stucco to characterize otherwise
simply detailed asymmetrical facades. Large picture
windows define open living areas and traditional
decorative emphasis is often limited to door or
entryway treatments with hand-carving or wrought
iron hardware. Garages or porte-cocheres often
attach to the main façade and directly face the street; though given the increased lengths of the homes these
elements are not dominant in appearance. Second
stories are atypical and the primary mass and bulk is
almost always limited to the first level. Ranch designs, a Southern California innovation, are well suited
for the combination of house, garage, stable and
equestrian use located in the Rancho neighborhoods.

Figure 27 - This Split-Level home utilizes its parts to create a sense of more intimate scale. The garage is placed below the street-facing gabled form that features decorative roof brackets.

In turn, this element, as well as the dormer over the recessed entry porch, create smaller masses that contrast with the overall bulk. The overall sense of size is further mitigated by the retreating slope of the main roof.

Figure 26 - The ground-hugging form of this one-story Ranch home is also echoed by the low-pitched, gabled and hipped and deep-eaved roof line.

ATTACHMENT 4-275

City of Burbank
G. Storybook Style
Storybook style uses decorative rustic features,
purposely uneven and asymmetrical lines and masses,
and collages of both diminutive and exaggerated
architectural components. Roofs use steep pitches,
rolled eaves, shaped ridgelines, and planes of curving
roof shingles or tiles to create shifts in scale, mass, bulk, and texture. T owers and turrets are common
features, often accompanied by twisting and shaped
chimneys with decorative brick or stonework inlay.

Facades are generally built of face stone or stucco and may be decorated by half-timbering, carving, or other
ironwork. Doors typically use board and batten wood
construction with heavy wrought-iron hardware.

Multi-pane windows are set in wood or steel frames.

Ornate lighting fixtures are also common. Derived
from Cottage, Gothic Revival, Medieval Revival,
T udor, and other romantic sensibilities, this whimsical design style emerged in the 1920s as both a built
antidote to modernism and a physical celebration of
fairy tales.

Figure 28 - The rolled eaves, steep roof, vertically proportioned windows and doors, and Gothic style arch of the entry door are indicators of a Storybook style home.

ATTACHMENT 4-276

Neighborhood Compatibility Residential Design Guidelines

6. Single-Family Design Guidelines
The realization of a high-quality residential project
in Burbank starts with design sensitivity to existing
neighborhood conditions including respect for
existing setbacks, use of typical orientation of entries to sidewalks, acknowledgement through massing and
bulk variation of lower surrounding structures, similar modulation and scale to what is seen along the same
street, maintenance of views to and from properties,
and use of building character, materials, and colors
that relate to the surrounding neighborhood. The
following guidelines establish a framework for
evaluating these relationships and form the evaluative
and qualitative criteria for neighborhood compatibility review.

T o determine compliance with the following Design
Guidelines, City staff will utilize a checklist (see
Section 9 - Design Guidelines Checklist). When
designing an alteration, addition, or new home,
this checklist should be carefully considered as
some guidelines, for instance those relating to mass,
bulk and setbacks, carry more weight than others,
for example use of a characteristic Burbank style.

The applicant’s and residential designer’s critical
responsibility is to utilize these guidelines and the
checklist to shape the highest quality project that
contributes to the residential setting of the existing
community.

Figure 29 - This home combines the character-defining features of more than one Burbank-defining architectural style. In this case elements of both the Ranch style (use of horizontal lap board and recessed front porch across the majority of the house front), as well as the Minimal Traditional/Colonial Revival (use of shutters, side yard-facing gables, and simple and singular bulk) are observed (see also Section 5 for a discussion of Burbank Characteristic Architectural Styles).

ATTACHMENT 4-277

City of Burbank
A. Dwelling Setbacks

1. Front Yard Setbacks. A project design should
follow the prevailing front yard setback and in
those cases where adjoining dwellings have different
setbacks, the project design should establish
transitions in the front building plane that average
and blend the different front yard setbacks.

2. Side Yard Setbacks. A project design should
provide sufficiently proportioned side yard setbacks
to provide for buffering and privacy between
adjacent dwellings. Privacy may be achieved
through use of landscape buffering such as hedges,
the alternating of windows such that they do not
look directly into each other, or increased side
yard setbacks along all or a portion of the side yard
building face. When a second story adjoins a side
yard, all or portions of the side yards should be
increased in size to provide for privacy between
adjoining properties.

3. Rear Yard Setbacks. Accessory buildings should
be setback from rear property lines to ensure
adequate space for landscape buffers along rear
property lines that enhance the sense of openness
and privacy between adjacent homes.

B. Dwelling Orientation

1. Dwelling Frontage Orientation. The frontages
of residences that face public streets and sidewalks
should incorporate secondary and minor elements
such as entry porches, recessed front doors,
overhangs, building wings, use of more than one
material, and building modulation of front building
planes and roof lines to create visual interest.

2. Front Entry Orientation. Front entries and doors
should be visible and accessible from the front yard
and sidewalk.

3. Front Entry Design. Front entries should
incorporate a sense of design interest that leads the
eye and person to the entry and creates a sense of
Figure 30 - Maintaining front yard setbacks is key to
conserving existing contexts.

Figure 31 - The entry orientation of this Craftsman style home is accentuated by the recessed porch drawn across the entirety of the house’s front façade.

Figure 32 - Beneath the recessed porch, the eye is drawn to the front entry of this Tudor style dwelling.

ATTACHMENT 4-278

Neighborhood Compatibility Residential Design Guidelines transition between the front yard and the interior
of the home. This can be accomplished by many
design means including but not limited to recessing
the entry behind the main front building plane and
within a front porch or overhang, raising the front
door above the grade of the front yard, placing the
front entry within a minor mass subordinate to the
overall form of the house, and/or utilizing a high-
quality material, contrasting colors, and details
surrounding the front door.

4. Front Entry Height. The front entry should be
recessed within and not exceed the height of the
volume of the architecture. If the entry is placed
within a secondary mass, this form and any roof
elements associated with this form and the entry
should be clearly subordinate to and lower than the
overall height of the building and the building’s
highest ridge line.

5. Garage Orientation, General. Front yard garages
are allowed but discouraged except for those parcels
where it is impractical due to considerations of
topography, geometry of the lot, and constraining
dimensions of property boundaries. Front yard
facing garages may be considered where there is
precedent along the same block and side of the
street. When there is precedent for front yard
garages, or front yard garages are allowed, the garage
should be subordinate to the bulk and mass of the
dwelling.

6. Garage Orientation, Alleys. Where an alley
provides access to a residential lot, the garage should be accessed from the alley.

7. Garages, Design. Garage character should be
subordinated to the overall length, height, mass,
and bulk of the dwelling, or be configured as a
subordinate wing or ell. Rear yard garages should
be similar in character and detail to the main
residential structure but when not visible from the
street may utilize simpler massing and detail.

Figure 33 - Front entry placed within a secondary mass that is subordinate to and lower than the overall height of the building.

Figure 34 - A carport adjoins the front yard. The deep
overhang minimizes the visual impact of the garage beyond.

Figure 35 - In those locations where garages are typically placed behind the home, this built-form pattern should be respected.

ATTACHMENT 4-279

City of Burbank
C. Rooflines

1. Pitched Roofs. Buildings should utilize pitched
roofs, roofs with intersecting ridgelines, and roofs
with multi-level ridgelines at differing heights
that are similar to those along the same block face
as well as those at adjoining properties along the
same street. When new dwellings and upper level
additions with roof pitches are proposed adjacent to
homes of lesser height, bulk, and/or mass, the new
roofs should express a transition in height and/or
mass from the adjacent dwelling to the high point
of the new roof construction.

2. Flat Roofs. Where flat roofs are utilized, there
should be precedent for flat roofs as seen along the
same block face on the same side of street. Or, the
design of a flat roofed main residential structure,
through use of major and minor masses, wings and
ells such as at porches, entries, and living areas,
should be modulated with different roof heights
and parapet heights to create a sense of varied and
intersecting massing.

3. Skyline Interest. When utilizing a Characteristic
Residential Architectural Style or other design
expression, design components typical to the style
or consistent to the expression such as multi-
level ridgelines, cross gables, chimneys, and tower
elements should be utilized to enhance skyline
interest.

D. Major and Minor Massing

1. Major and Minor Massing. Residences should
incorporate both major and minor massing at
a variety of heights to create visual modulation
and interest. This type of modulation should be
related to the massing, rooflines, heights, setbacks,
front building planes, and overhangs of adjoining
residences. Elements that establish major and minor
massing include but are not limited to porches,
front entries, one-story building wings, second story
wings that overhang first stories, integral balconies
that sit under rooflines, first story wings that
Figure 36 - Bulk is diminished when multiple intersecting ridgelines of varying height are introduced.

Figure 37 - The tower element breaks the line of the roof ridge.

The three smaller masses contrast with the overall bulk, reducing the perception of a large, box-like form.

Figure 38 - The overall bulk of this home is reduced through the introduction of two smaller masses, the gabled second-story mass that is smaller than the overall bulk, and the subordinate garage mass. The chimney creates additional variety and interest and a sense of smaller scale.

ATTACHMENT 4-280

Neighborhood Compatibility Residential Design Guidelines foreground second stories, and second stories that
are smaller than first stories.

2. Major Versus Minor Massing. When minor
massing becomes the dominant visual expression of
a home, the overall mass, form, and design of the
dwelling is often perceived to be diminished. Where
major and minor massing are utilized, the minor
massing should be clearly subordinate to the major
massing. This can be accomplished by decreasing
the number of minor masses so as not to obscure
the major mass and/or limiting the height of minor
masses to below the major mass ridge line and/or
eave height.

E. Modulation

1. Residential Modulation, Front Yards. Building
mass and bulk visible from the street, i.e. the front
building plane, should be modulated and broken,
to reduce the length of the overall façade and
repeat the scale and size of building components
seen along the block length of the same side of the
street including but not limited to building wings
and ells, multi-level ridgelines and cross gables,
overhangs, and the length and height of existing
one story components such as entries, porches and
wings.

2. Residential Modulation Side Yards. At both
the first and upper stories, building mass along
the side yards, i.e. the side building plane, should
be modulated with regard to length and height to
maintain at a minimum the maximum side yard
while further reducing the sense of bulk through use
of one story building wings that step down towards
the side yard, additional setbacks, at the first and
second stories, and/or multi-planed building faces
along side yards that both set back and step back
away from the side property lines.

3. Residential Modulation, Minor. Consider use of
bay windows, dormers, covered and recessed entries,
porches, stoops, one story wings, awnings and
other minor architectural components to reduce the
overall sense of mass and bulk.

Figure 39 - The bulk of this home, under a uniform-in-height ridgeline, is articulated by a major mass that incorporates a recessed corner entry, and a minor asymmetric mass, accented by a vertical chimney.

Figure 40 - An illustration of intersecting masses, ridgelines, gables, and a recessed entry porch, together realize a modulated and smaller sense of bulk, mass, and scale. The second story portion steps back from the minimum side yard
Figure 41 - Minor architectural components including
dormers, planter boxes, three ridgelines at differing heights, a change of materials that distinguishes the second floor from the first floor, shutters, and a two-sided entrance porch and overhang each contribute to reducing the overall sense of bulk.

ATTACHMENT 4-281

City of Burbank
F. Residential Dwelling Height, Upper Stories, and
Height Transitions

1. Residential Height, One Story. On streets and
in neighborhoods with a predominance of one-story
houses, and where adjoining dwellings are one-story,
one-story additions, and when new construction is
permitted, one-story dwellings, are encouraged.

2. Alterations Under Existing Rooflines. At
existing residences with roof pitches, where roof
pitches above first stories allow for adequate
height and floor area, second stories should
be placed under the existing roofline and the
existing characteristic residential architectural style maintained.

3. Residential Height and Upper Levels Adjoining
Existing One-Story Dwellings. Where one-story
dwellings adjoin the front and/or side yards of new
residences, or additions to existing residences, new
homes with upper levels, or upper level additions,
should incorporate or maintain elements of one-
story massing oriented towards the front yard and
the side yards of adjoining and existing one-story
homes, and create height transitions between the
adjoining one-story dwelling and the new upper
level mass.

4. Upper Stories, New Construction. The area of
second stories should be smaller than the footprint
of first stories and a portion of the second story
should be set back from the front building plane.

5. Window, Balcony, and Roof T errace
Placement at Upper Stories Overlooking Side
Yards. Windows, balconies, and roof terraces at
upper stories should be located to avoid direct views
across side yards into windows of existing adjoining
residences. Landscape in the form of screening
hedges that meet City height requirements and/or
trees should be placed along affected property lines.

Figure 42 - On streets with a preponderance of one-story homes, alterations, additions, and new houses are encouraged to maintain the one-story context.

Figure 43 - When second stories are added to one-story homes, the project design should incorporate elements of one-story massing oriented to the front yard. Second story massing should be oriented to the rear of lots. Side yard massing should be modulated to minimize impacts of second-story construction.

Figure 44 - Setting the mass of the second story behind the one- story roof ridgeline reduces the perception of bulk and maintains one-story character oriented towards the sidewalk.

ATTACHMENT 4-282

Neighborhood Compatibility Residential Design Guidelines

6. Window, Balcony, and Roof T errace
Placement at Upper Stories Overlooking Rear
Yards. Windows, balconies, and roof terraces at
upper stories that overlook rear yards of adjoining
residences should be screened from adjoining
residences by landscape in the form of screening
hedges that meet City height requirements, and/or
trees placed along affected property lines.

7. Upper Levels and Views; Hillside Only. Upper
levels, bulk, mass, and height of proposed Hillside
projects should be placed to the maximum extent
feasible to maintain the view corridors of existing
homes. “T o the maximum extent feasible” means
that upper levels may be permitted where there
are view corridors, but that the footprint of upper
levels should be smaller than the first stories, and/or that the upper level bulk, mass, and height should
be placed way from the view corridor, and/or that
where a view corridor is impacted, that first stories
should be optimized before second stories affect
view corridors.

8. Third Stories, General. Third stories are
discouraged except in cases where they fit within a
permitted roof pitch.

9. Third Stories, Hillside. When third stories are
proposed in Hillside neighborhoods, whether on
upslope or downslope sites, they should not impact
view corridors.

G. Windows

1. Window Quality and Design. In new residences,
windows should be of enduring materials and
window divides and the size of individual window
lights should be similar to the size of window lights
at adjoining residences along the same street. In
addition and alteration projects, windows should
be similar in scale, include devides if appropriate
and be similar in existing windows. And, in projects
that utilize a Characteristic Residential Architectural Style, windows should be based upon traditional
materials, scales and proportions appropriate to the
characteristic design expression of the style.

Figure 45 - The third story of this home is set under the pitch of the roof planes. The dormer at the third level adds visual interest to the home.

Figure 46 - Windows should be matched to and maintain the original character of the home.

Figure 47 - The architectural detail, character, and landscape of this home extends to all visible building details along both street frontages, establishing a sense of 360° design care and quality.

ATTACHMENT 4-283

City of Burbank
H. 360° Architecture

1. 360° New Construction. The architectural
character of new residential projects should extend
to all building frontages visible from the street and
adjacent and adjoining dwellings.

2. 360° Additions. The architectural character of
additions should be similar to and complimentary
in character to the proportions, massing, and
details, of the existing residence.

3. 360° Alterations. Alteration projects should
typically utilize in-kind, similar, and/or equivalent
proportions, massing, materials, and details, when
improvements are proposed for existing residences.

Where the existing architectural design is not
reflective of a characteristic Burbank architectural
style, or lacks a sense of quality as defined by
these Design Guidelines, the alteration should
utilize these Design Guidelines to develop a
distinct architectural direction as demonstrated by
compliance with these Design Guidelines.

I. Accessory Structures

1. Accessory Structure, Design. Accessory structure
design for separate garages, carports, stables,
porte-cocheres, sheds and other buildings should
be similar in character and detail to the main
residential structure but may utilize simpler massing
and detailing or alternative design means when not
visible to the street or public rights-of-way.

Figure 48 - Fences, walls, and hedges, if provided at front yards, need to meet City height requirements and should be set back from the back of sidewalk to provide landscape opportunities on both sides.

Figure 49 - Fences, walls and hedges at side yards need to meet City height requirements and should maintain the tradition of views across front yards.

Figure 50 - Accessory structures and garages should be
subordinate to the primary expression of the dwelling. In this home, the garage is set back from the front building plane and the placement downslope further reduces its bulk and impact on the appearance of the front yard and the public streetscape.

ATTACHMENT 4-284

Neighborhood Compatibility Residential Design Guidelines J. Fences and Property Line Walls

1. At Front Yards. Fences and walls at front yards
are discouraged to maintain the traditional open
front yard views and feel across property lines,
along sidewalks, and up and down streets. When
proposed, only low hedges or fences that are open,
i.e. with pickets or similar should be utilized, and
fences should be set back from the back of sidewalk
to allow for landscape on both sides of the fence,
such as climbing vines and low-growing plant
materials. Low fences and hedges, if used, should
be maintained so that their organic height does not
exceed City requirements.

2. At Street-Facing Side Yard When proposed,
fences and walls should be set back from the back
of sidewalk to provide for plant materials including
climbing vines.

3. Retaining Walls, at Front Yards and Street-Facing
Side Yards. Retaining walls in front yards and
at street-facing side yards are discouraged and
when provided should be set back from the back
of sidewalk to allow for landscape including low
shrubs and climbing vines.

K. Landscape

1. Landscape Design. Landscape design and
materials, both plant materials and hardscape,
should be integral and related to the architectural
design of the project and additionally meet City and
State requirements for irrigation and low water use.

2. Landscape Along Street Frontages. Landscaping
along the street sides of residences should maintain
a sense of continuity and openness along the block
face and at adjoining properties along the same
street. Continuity and openness conserve the
traditions and views of continuous open planting
areas along streetscapes, avoidance of dividing
walls and hedges between properties at front yards,
and limiting of fences and walls at the backs of
sidewalks. Hedges should be considered as the
equivalent of walls and meet City requirements with
Figure 53 - Continuous, low, and open landscape and views across front yards characterize high-quality single-family residential streetscapes in Burbank.

Figure 51 - When an accessory structure is visible to the street, the design should be similar in character to the main structure, though simpler detailing may be utilized given its distance from the street.

Figure 52 - Contemporary landscape design needs to meet City requirements for low water use.

ATTACHMENT 4-285

City of Burbank
regard to height at mature growth and will need
ongoing maintenance to maintain these limiting
heights.

3. Lawns and T urf Substitutes. Grass lawns still
characterize the majority of Burbank front yards
and establish a key component of the typical
residential streetscape experience, especially in the
Rancho neighborhoods. Maintenance of substantial
front yard areas utilizing drought resistant grasses,
turf substitutes, or ground covers that maintain a
living, organic, and continuous sense of a green
carpet are encouraged.

4. Artificial T urf, Front Yards. Use of artificial turf at front yards is discouraged.

5. Hardscape, Front Yards. Hardscape at front
yards should be minimized and never constitute a
majority of the available landscape area.

6. Trees. Additional trees should be planted at front
yards and/or parkways and street-facing side yards
to enhance the City’s shade canopy.

7. Landscape at Buildings. Base plantings including
shrubs should be planted along building perimeters
at street-facing facades.

8. Side Yard Landscape. Landscape, including plant
materials, hedges, and trees should be proportioned
to the depth of the side yard and designed to
enhance privacy between adjoining properties.

Hedges should be considered as the equivalent of
walls and meet City requirements with regard to
height and be maintained at this limiting height.

9. Rear Yard Landscape. Landscape including plant
materials, hedges, and trees should be provided and
proportioned to enhance privacy between adjoining
properties. Hedges should be considered as the
equivalent of walls and meet City requirements
with regard to height at mature growth and be
maintained at this limiting height.

Figure 54 - Trees in front yards create additional shade along streets.

Figure 55 - Foundation plantings at the front façade create a natural transition from the lawn to the home. Low bushes and ground cover maintain views across the front yard, reduce the area of the traditional turf lawn, and save water.

Figure 56 - Low hedges at the back of sidewalk, low walls at the entry, foundation plantings, and a traditional turf lawn maintain the appearance and character of this home.

ATTACHMENT 4-286

Neighborhood Compatibility Residential Design Guidelines Choice of color and use of materials are very specific
to the type of architecture designed and the eye of
the individual homeowner. Given the broad range
of architectural styles and color palettes observed
in Burbank, specific guidelines are not proposed.

However, observation of Burbank single-family
neighborhoods suggests that there is consistency
with regard to use of materials and colors. Materials
are typically based upon the architectural style
utilized. Colors are the choice of the homeowner,
yet tend to reflect unspoken consensus street by
street. The following recommendations for color
and material choice are presented for information
purposes only, are not reviewed as part of the
neighborhood compatibility review and approval
process, but should be considered as a design means
to further optimize the quality of the existing built
environment.

Consider Use of Appropriate Local Colors
A. Consider utilizing exterior colors that are similar
in hue, intensity, and lightness to those seen
within the neighborhood. Alternatively, use
Southern California regional colors, earth-toned
colors, or colors associated with a Burbank
Characteristic Residential Architectural Style.

These latter color choices are often catalogued by
and available at local paint stores. For example,
if the project is based upon the Craftsman style,
most paint companies will offer color choices
based upon this type of design.

B. Quality paint schemes often use of two or more
colors that harmonize. Consider use of a base
color for broad building planes, a contrasting
color for windows and window casings, and trim
or accent colors for details. Again, a paint store
or design professional can offer good suggestions
for highlights and contrasts based upon the
architectural character of the home.

Design Considerations Regarding Colors and Materials
Consider Use of Architecturally Appropriate
Materials
A. Burbank Characteristic Residential Architectural
Styles utilize specific building and roof materials
as well as finishes associated with the style. For
example, Spanish Revival style homes incorporate
tile roofs, exposed beams at eave lines, and on
more decorative designs, cast stone door and
window surrounds. Similarly, Ranch style homes
typically utilize more than one façade material,
for instance stucco complimented by vertical
board and batten or brick relief planes that
highlight entries, under-gable areas, or building
wings. Even the many post-war Minimal
T raditional/Colonial Revival homes feature
complimentary window shutters, and secondary
brick or wood panels providing visual interest
and detail.

B. T o create a sense of design consistency, a quality
seen along most Burbank residential streets,
utilize a material palette typical of the design
character, or finishes similar to those observed on
the same block, or at adjoining residences along
the same street.

Figure 57 - Some of the colors and materials typically seen in Burbank single-family residential neighborhoods.

ATTACHMENT 4-287

City of Burbank

10. Exterior Lighting. Exterior lighting should
enhance safety between streets, sidewalks, and
residential entries, and additionally utilize shielded
fixtures to avoid glare and light intrusion between
adjoining and adjacent residences.

11. Landscape at Views. In Hillside neighborhood,
landscape should be designed to minimize impacts
on views. T rees should be carefully selected and
located to avoid interference with existing view
corridors from both private properties and public
rights-of-way.

L. Use of Characteristic Residential Architectural
Styles

1. Use of Characteristic Residential Architectural
Styles. Characteristic residential architectural
styles observed in Burbank neighborhoods includes
but are not limited to the Craftsman, Spanish
Revival, T udor, Minimal T raditional with Colonial
Revival, Ranch, Split-Level, and Storybook
styles (For more information on characteristic
architectural styles see Section 5 above).

Use of Burbank Characteristic Architectural Styles
in residential design is encouraged. When a
characteristic architectural style is utilized the design character, rooflines, components, proportions,
details, materials, and typical color palettes should
be extended to all exterior portions of the structure.

M. Use of Other Architectural Styles

1. Use of other architectural styles and expressions
including contemporary architecture is
encouraged. When other architectural styles
are used, these Neighborhood Compatibility
Review Design Guidelines shall be complied with
and the design character, rooflines, components,
proportions, and details of the architectural
expression should be extended to all exterior
portions of the structure.

Figure 58 - Street by street, consistency in the character of residential architecture is often observed in Burbank.

Figure 59 - In addition to the characteristic Burbank
architectural styles noted, the Design Guidelines encourage other well-executed and high-quality design languages, such as seen in this post and beam Mid-Century Modern residence.

ATTACHMENT 4-288

Neighborhood Compatibility Residential Design Guidelines

7. Application Materials
T o facilitate staff neighborhood compatibility review
and approvals, the following minimum of drawings
and design materials should be submitted with each
application. Applications may be deemed incomplete if
the minimum materials as noted in this section are not
provided by applicants.

Site Documentation. Photographs should be
provided of adjoining properties to either side of
the project site as well as color photographs of each
property along the same side of the street as well as the block from intersection to intersection and/or street
terminus.

Site Plan. A site plan should be provided and
be to-scale, preferably 1/16” or 1/10” to the foot,
and illustrate the entire project site, landscaping
treatments, first level versus any upper levels,
topography at minimum five foot contours, property
corner elevations, as well as the basic layout of
buildings and yards at adjoining properties to the
side and rear of the project. Site plans should be fully dimensioned and include the lengths and widths of all
elements including but not limited to building foot
prints, yards, and outdoor features such as patios and
driveways. Fences and hedges should be shown and
their heights notated, and all existing and proposed
trees should be illustrated.

Floor Plans. Dimensioned and noted to-scale floor
plans of every proposed level, at a minimum of 1/8” or
1/4” to the foot, should be delineated with each room
clearly described, all windows, doors, and openings
shown, and a summary of square footages provided.

Elevations. Dimensioned and noted to-scale
elevations of every building façade visible from public- rights-of way or adjoining properties, at a minimum
of 1/8” or 1/4” to the foot, should be delineated with
all elevations of floors, building ridgelines, major and minor roofs, and massing dimensioned. All openings
such as windows and doors should be shown and
dimensioned, materials should be called out, and
finishes specified. At least one of the elevations,
typically the most visible elevation from a public right- of-way, shall be colored to fully describe the proposed quality of the architectural character.

Sections. At least two, to-scale building sections,
one latitudinal and one longitudinal, at a minimum of
1/8” or 1/4” to the foot, should be provided. Building
sections should incorporate all project building and
site features from property line to property line and
additionally depict adjoining properties to the sides
and rear of the project.

Hillside Requirements. A view analysis that may
include but is not limited to enhanced building
sections, expanded site plans, and perspective
renderings should be provided that demonstrates the
impacts, if any, on views from public rights-of-way and adjoining properties.

Optional Application Materials

1. Materials and finishes board or sheets.

2. Landscape and planting plan.

3. Rendering(s) of the project from public rights-of-
way and adjoining properties.

4. Physical and/or digital model of the project
including its context and surrounds.

Preparation of Application Materials. Application
materials, as provided in this section, may be prepared directly by the applicant. Use of an experienced
residential designer or architect is encouraged.

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ATTACHMENT 4-290

Neighborhood Compatibility Residential Design Guidelines

8. Glossary
Arcade. A pedestrian walkway defined by columns,
pilasters, or short-length open-to-the-outside walls
supporting a roof that provides shelter along its length.

Art-Deco. A decorative style of the machine-age
popular during the 1920s and 1930s, characterized
by simple geometric shapes, strong colors, and
streamlining.

Asymmetry. Buildings faces that do not have
identical features or the property of mirroring on both sides of a central line.

Bay Window. A window within a curved or angular
projection of a building.

Block Face. One side of a street, or the building
facades that make up one side of a street, between two
consecutive intersections, or an intersection and a cul- de-sac or street terminus.

Board and Batten. A type of exterior siding that
has alternating wide boards and narrow wooden strips
(called battens).

Bracket. Any strut or angled support of a shelf,
beam, overhang, or projecting roof.

Building Pads. A level plot to build on.

Building Plane. The vertical face of a building or
the vertical outer envelope of the structure.

Built Form. The pattern of masses, heights, details,
expressions, and characters in a structure both in
relationship to each other and to their environmental
surrounds.

Bulk. The overall magnitude or largeness of
the aggregate sizes and/or shape(s) of a building,
particularly in comparison to the visible overall
magnitude or largeness of adjoining buildings.

Cape Cod. A style of house originating in New
England in the 17th century. The style is characterized by a main story generally overhung with moderately
steep, gable-ended roof with a ridge line parallel to the frontage, a second story tucked underneath the roof, a
large central chimney, and little ornamentation.

Casement. A window or part of a window set on a
hinge so that it opens like a door.

Column. A supporting post.

Contemporary. Present day architecture that reflects
present day trends, styles, and culture.

Context. The whole of the surrounding natural,
built, historic, and cultural environment.

Cottage. A small, single story home.

Cross-Gabled Roofs. Roofs that have two or more
ridgelines that intersect and that feature at the ends
of the ridgelines triangle shapes that terminate the
building plane.

Cut Hillside. The second-most predominant
neighborhood type in Burbank, characteristically built
on sloping topography, which typically incorporates
Split-Level designs, retaining walls, and one- to two-
story homes.

Design Guidelines. A toolbox of a broad range of
design approaches that assists project proponents and
their design teams in reaching compliance with the
Zoning Code.

Design Objectives. Overarching urban design and
built-form principles. When a project is required to be in compliance with the Design Guidelines, the project
needs to meet the intent of the Design Objectives as
determined by the appropriate review authority.

Dormer. A window and roofline placed as an inset
in a sloping roof.

Double-Hung Windows. A window having two
operating sashes that move up and down allowing for
ventilation on the top, bottom, or both.

Elevation, Building. The flat side or external face of
a building.

Elevation, Height. The height of a building above a
fixed reference point.

ATTACHMENT 4-291

City of Burbank
Ell. A minor extension of a building.

Façade. A face and/or plane of a building typically
incorporating windows, entries, and architectural
treatments.

Flats. A Burbank neighborhood that is home
to some of the oldest residential communities,
characterized by near horizontal topography, smaller
lot sizes, shallow side-yard setbacks, and an overall
compact built form.

Floor Area Ratio (FAR). The ratio of a building’s
total floor area to the size of the lot’s square footage upon which it is built.

Floor Plate. The flat surface of a building level
contained within the extent of the exterior walls and
including habited and permanently covered outdoor
areas.

Front Yard Adjoining Garage. A garage structure
that adjoins the front yard or is located such that entry to the garage is directly from the front yard.

Gable. A triangular feature, often the upper section
of a wall at the end of a pitched roof.

Gothic Revival. A revival of Gothic styles featuring
pointed arches, ribbed vaults, flying buttresses, and
walls reduced to a minimum by spacious arcades,
galleries, and clerestory windows.

Half-Timbering. A method of building in which
external and internal walls are constructed of timber
frames with diagonal members, with the spaces
between the structural members filled with materials
including brick, plaster, or wattle and daub. In more
recent times, half-timbering is a decorative treatment
as opposed to a building technique.

Hardscape. The nonliving or man-made paving
materials of a planned exterior yard.

Hillside. Burbank neighborhoods set amidst
switchback streets and/or steeper hillsides that follow the hills at the edge the city.

Hipped Roof. A roof with ends inclined from a
ridgeline.

Horizontal Lap Siding. Exterior wall covering made
of wood (or any other type of similar material on the
outer frame of a building.

Mass. The general shape, form, and consequent
volume of components that come together to form a
building.

Medieval Revival. A revival of architecture
common to medieval Europe including Gothic and
Romanesque styles characterized by flying buttresses,
sharply pointed spires, barrel vaults, and skeletal stone structures. This type of design was often used in the for religious buildings.

Modulation, Architectural. Adjustment and
variation of proportion, scale, detail, and/or change in expression of architectural components, elements, and
design to realize architectural variety and enhanced
complexity of design expression; to modulate.

Modulation, Façade Plane. Adjustment and
breaking of a façade plane(s) to realize variations in
massing, scale, materials, color, and/or proportion,
to introduce a sense of variety and major and minor
building plane rhythms.

Multi-Pane Window. Multiple-panes of glass
separated by sticking or mullions.

Multi-Ridged Roofs. A roof with one or more
ridgelines often at different heights.

One Story Wings. A single level portion of a
building that is subordinate to the main, central
structure.

Parapet. A low wall that edges a balcony, terrace, or
roof, immediately below which is a drop.

Picture Windows. A large window, typically in a
living room overlooking a street.

Pillar. Upright members primarily used for
supporting structures; distinguished from columns in
that pillars need not be cylindrical or conform to the
measures of classically inspired columns.

Pitch. The slope of a roof, usually given in degrees or as a ratio of height to length as in a 1 to 3 or 3 to 4.

ATTACHMENT 4-292

Neighborhood Compatibility Residential Design Guidelines Polygonal Roofs. Roof structures with more than
four sides, typically in the form of turrets or towers.

Porte-Cochere. A covered entrance porch for
vehicles, attached to and projected into either the front or side yard.

Public Right-of-Way. A type of easement granted
or reserved over the land for roads, footpaths, railways, canals, as well as electrical transmission lines and other utilities.

Rancho. This Burbank neighborhood incorporates
horse trails and includes homes on larger lots that
accommodate stables or other accessory structures.

Homes are typically Ranch style and one story.

Retaining Walls. A wall that supports a weight of
earth or water.

Ridgelines. A horizontal line at the top af two
sloping roof surfaces.

Riparian. Of, relating to, or situated on the banks of
a river.

Roof Eaves. The under part of a roof overhanging a
wall.

Scale, Building. The perceived effect on humans of
the combined elements of a structure in relationship to the scale of adjoining buildings, urban and/or natural
features, open spaces, and/or the human body.

Scale. The direct relationship of components and
details to the dimensions and physical, behavioral, and cultural patterns of humans.

Screening Hedges. Any variant of thick greenery
that is planted or grown to purposefully create a
privacy barrier.

Setback. The minimum permitted distance between
a property line and a building plane or a distance
between one building plane and a second building
plane.

Side-Gabled. A house with a roof ridgeline parallel
to its front.

Side-Hipped Roofs. A pitched roof that parallels its
frontage with slopes at either side.

Single-Family Residential. A free-standing
residential building designated for one group of
individuals.

Skyline, Skyline Expression. The intersection of
roof lines, building ridges, parapets, building bulk and mass, and architectural projections such as chimneys
with the sky.

Step-Graded. Grading in a short, step-like manner,
along a street’s natural slope to provide level pads for development.

Streetscape. The scene along a street; the design
quality of the street and its visual effect.

Switchback Streets. Roads that make a series of 180°
bends, that more gently move up the side of a slope.

T opographic. The arrangement of the natural and
artificial physical features of a landform or area.

T udor Revival. Architecture with characteristic
features such as lavish half-timber work; large groups
of vertical and grouped windows, complex and steep
roofs with many gables, interesting and sometimes
fantastic chimney treatment,; and much brickwork,
frequently in patterns.

T urret. A very small and slender tower.

View Corridor. The line of sight of an observer
looking toward an object of significance to the
community (e.g., ridgeline, river, historic building,
etc.)
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City of Burbank
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ATTACHMENT 4-294

Neighborhood Compatibility Residential Design Guidelines

9. City of Burbank
Neighborhood Compatibility Review - Design Guidelines Checklist The purpose of these design guidelines is to ensure that new homes and alterations and additions to existing homes, enhance the character of Burbank’s residential neighborhoods, while allowing flexibility in design.

Standards on maximum allowable building mass and building form, coupled with a neighborhood compatibility review process, are established to implement this policy.

Compliance with the Design Guidelines shall be determined by the Director or his/her designee or Planning Board or City Council through use of the following checklist. Compliance with the design Guidelines may also be required for projects that are required to secure a Single Family Development Permit or a Hillside Development Permit. The design Guidelines for a description of the Neighborhood Compatibility Review and Approval Process, Section 2.G for an understanding of the appeals process, and Figure 3 for an illustration of the review and approval process.

Design Guidelines Description In Compliance

DWELLING SETBACKS
T able A. Must meet all 3 below.

1. Front Yard Setbacks A project design should follow the prevailing front yard setback and in those cases where adjoining dwellings have different setbacks, the project design should establish transitions in the front building plane that average and blend the different front yard setbacks. (see Section 6.A.1).

2. Side Yard Setbacks A project design should provide sufficiently proportioned side yard setbacks to provide for buffering and privacy between adjacent dwellings. Privacy may be achieved through use of landscape buffering such as hedges, the alternating of windows such that they do not look directly into each other, or increased side yard setbacks along all or a portion of the side yard building face. When a second story adjoins a side yard, all or portions of the side yards should be increased in size to provide for privacy between adjoining properties. (see Section 6.A.2).

3. Rear Yard Setbacks Accessory buildings should be setback from rear property lines to ensure adequate space for landscape buffers along rear property lines that enhance the sense of openness and privacy between adjacent homes. (see Section 6.A.3).

DWELLING ORIENTATION
T able B. Must meet minimum 1 of 4 below.

1. Dwelling Frontage
Orientation
Incorporate secondary and minor elements and visual interest (see Section 6.B.1).

2. Front Entry Orientation Visible and accessible from front yard and sidewalk (see Section 6.B.2).

3. Front Entry Design Lead eye and person to entry (see Section 6.B.3).

4. Front Entry Height When placed within secondary mass, subordinate to overall height (see Section

6.B.4).

T able C. Must meet minimum 1 of 2 below.

1. Garage Orientation,
General
Generally should be placed behind main dwelling; EXCEPT - • When garages are attached to front building elevation, the garage should be subordinate to the bulk and mass of primary dwelling (see Section 6.B.5). • Where there are alleys, it is preferable to provide alley access to garage (see Section 6.B.6).

2. Garages, Design Subordinate to bulk of building and utilize similar character, when not visible to street may utilize simpler mass and detail (see Section 6.B.7).

ATTACHMENT 4-295

City of Burbank

ROOFLINES
T able D. Must meet minimum 1 of 3 below.

1. Pitched Roofs Utilize pitched roof, intersecting and multi-level ridgelines and transitions to lower adjoining dwellings (see Section 6.C.1).

2. Flat Roofs Utilize where there is precedent at block face at same side of street; modulate flat roofs with major and minor masses and different heights (see Section 6.C.2).

3. Skyline Interest When utilizing a Characteristic Residential Architectural Style or other design expression, design components typical to the style or consistent to the expression should be utilized (see Section 6.C.3).

MAJOR & MINOR MASSING & MODULATION
T able E. Must meet minimum 2 of 4 below.

1. Major & Minor Massing Utilize major and minor massing and variety of heights (see Section 6.D.1) and subordinate minor massing to major massing (see Section 6.D.2).

2. Residential Modulation,
Front Yards
Modulate and break front building plane (see S ection 6.E.1.)

3. Residential Modulation,
Side Yards
At both the first and upper stories, modulate along both length and/or height (see Section 6.E.2)

4. Residential Modulation,
Minor
Use minor massing components such as bay windows, dormers, porches, recessed entries, one-story wings, awnings, etc. (see Section 6.E.3)

RESIDENTIAL D

WELLING HEIGHT , UPPER STORIES & HEIGHT TRANSITIONS
T able F. With one story only, must meet minimum 1 of 2 below and then do not complete T able G; OR With two or more stories, skip T able F and complete T able G.

1. Residential Height,
One Story
One story in height dwellings and additions are encouraged (see S ection 6.F .1).

2. Alterations,
Under Existing Rooflines
Place additional upper-level area under existing roof with no changes to r ooflines (see Section 6.F .2).

T able G. With two stories or more, must meet minimum 3 of 4 below.

1. Residential Height and
Upper Levels,
Adjoining Existing One-
Story Dwellings
Pr
ovide one-story component and/or minor massing at front yard and/or side yard when adjoining existing single-story dwelling(s) (see Section 6.F .3).

2. Upper Stories,
New Construction
Provide upper story footprint(s) smaller than the first stor y (see Section 6.F .4).

3. Window, Balcony, and
Roof T errace Placement,
at Upper Stories
Overlooking Side Yards
Locate to av
oid direct views into windows of adjoining residences; provide landscape screening that meets City standards (see Section 6.F .5).

4. Window, Balcony, and
Roof T errace Placement,
at Upper Stories
Overlooking Rear Yards
When pr
esent, provide landscape screening that meets City standards (see Section

6.F .6).

T able H. With third story, must meet the following.

1. Third Stories Discouraged except when placed within roof pitches (see Section 6.F .8), or where view corridors not impacted at Hillside lots (see Section 6.F .9).

ATTACHMENT 4-296

Neighborhood Compatibility Residential Design Guidelines WINDOWS & 360° ARCHITECTURE
T able I. Must meet minimum 1 of 4 below.

1. Window Quality and
Design
At alterations and additions provide windows similar to original, and/or similar to existing in neighborhood, and/or windows representative of Characteristic Burbank Architectural Style (see Section 6.G.1).

2. 360° New Construction Extend to all building frontages visible from street and adjacent and adjoining dwellings (see Section 6.H.1).

3. 360° Additions Similar to and complimentary in character to the proportions, massing, and details of existing residence (H.2)

4. 360° Alterations Utilize in-kind proportions, massing, and details (see Section 6.H.3).

ACCESSORY STRUCTURES
T able J. If provided, must meet the following.

1. Accessory Structure
Design
Similar in character and intensity of detail to main dwelling when visible to the street; when not visible may be of simpler design (see Section 6.I.1).

FENCES & PROPERTY LINE W ALLS
T able K. If provided, must meet all 3 below.

1. At Front Yards Walls are discouraged; utilize low hedges and fences only that meet City requirements. Set back from sidewalk; landscape both sides (see Section 6.J.1).

2. At Street-Facing Side Yards Set back from sidewalk to allow for landscape (see Section 6.J.2).

3. Retaining Walls,
at Front Yards and Street-
Facing Side Yards
Set back from back of sidewalk to allow for landscape (see Section 6.J.3).

LANDSCAPE
T able L. Must meet minimum 2 of 4 below.

1. Landscape Design Integrated and related to architectural design; provide landscape design (see Section

6.K.1). (A landscape plan is only required for construction of new homes, not for additions )

2. Artificial T urf,
Front Lawns
Not utilized (see Section 6.K.4).

3. Hardscape, Front Yards Less than majority of available landscape area (see Section 6.K.5)

4. T rees Place additional trees at front yards and/or parkways and street-facing side yards (see Section 6.K.6).

T able M. Must meet minimum 3 of 7 below.

1. Landscape along Street
Frontages
Maintains continuity and openness along block face at front yards (see Section

6.K.2).

2. Lawns and Low
Maintenance Lawn
Alternatives
Low Maintenance Lawn Alternatives and ground covers encouraged (see Section

6.K.3).

3. Landscape at Buildings Use base/foundation plantings and shrubs at visible street-facing building perimeters (see Section 6.K.7)

4. Side Yard Landscape Utilize to enhance privacy between adjoining dwellings (see Section 6.K.8).

5. Rear Yard Landscape Include trees to enhance shade and privacy (see Section 6.K.9)

6. Exterior Lighting Enhance safety and use shielded fixtures (see Section 6.K.10)

7. Landscape at Views Avoid interference with existing view corridors (see Section 6.K.11).

ATTACHMENT 4-297

City of Burbank

USE OF CHARACTERISTIC OR OTHER ARCHITECTURAL STYLES
T able N. Meet 1 of 2 below.

1. Use of Characteristic Style Character defining features utilized at all exterior elevations (see Section 6.L.1)

2. Use of other architectural
styles
Character defining features utilized at all exterior elevations (see Section 6.M.1) YES NO
Overall Compliance Finding
by
(printed name here)
ATTACHMENT 4-298

Neighborhood Compatibility Residential Design Guidelines

10. Acknowlegement
City Council
Jess Talamantes, Mayor
Will Rogers, Vice Mayor
Emily Gable-Luddy, Council Member
Dr. David Gordon, Council Member
Bob Frutos, Council Member
Planning Board
Christopher Rizzotti, Chair
Kimberly Jo, Vice-Chair
Apraham Atteukenian
Diane Eaton
Undine M. Petrulis
Ron Davis, City Manager
Patrick Prescott, Community Development Director
Carol Barrett, City Planner
Consultants
John Kaliski Architects with Dyett and Bhatia | Urban and Regional Planners John Kaliski, Principal
Wenchong Lai, Senior Designer
Sarah Mercurio, Intern
Lydia Yen, Intern
Jean Yang, Designer
ATTACHMENT 4-299
Zoning/Public Noticing/Fair Political
Practices Compliance Map – EXHIBIT C-1
Hillside Area
Map Showing Designated Hillside Area Within City of Burbank ATTACHMENT 4-300