WESTERN RIVERSIDE COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS
OBJECTIVEDESIGN STANDARDS
Architectural Style Standards
February 2023
Objective Design Standards Western Riverside Council of Governments Prepared by:
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Objective Design Standards Toolkit Western Riverside Council of Governments
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1: Recent Housing Law 1.1
1.1 SB 35...........................................................................................................1.3
1.2 Housing Accountability Act...............................................................1.4
1.3 SB 330........................................................................................................1.4
1.4 Applicability .............................................................................................1.5 Chapter 2: Architectural Style Standards 2.1
2.1 Spanish Revival ....................................................................................2.1
2.2 Craftsman ................................................................................................2.8
2.3 Tuscan.................................................................................................... 2.14
2.4 Modern.................................................................................................. 2.20
2.5 Architectural Style Definitions ...................................................... 2.26 This page intentionally left blank.
Objective Design Standards Toolkit Western Riverside Council of Governments
INTRODUCTION
The objective design standards are requirements that apply to certain eligible residential projects. The purpose of the objective design standards is for applicants to know beforehand what requirements apply to a proposed development and for
the applicant to be able to design a project that meets those requirements before submittal.
The Objective Design Standards were gathered from jurisdictions across Riverside County and elsewhere. The intent of this module format is to provide local jurisdictions within Western Riverside County a template for customizing Objective Design Standards to their local needs.
The Objective Development Standards contained herein have been selected by the City of Corona for eligible residential projects. Architectural Style Standards
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vi
RECENT
1 HOUSING LAW
1.2 The legislation introduced below limit the ability of local jurisdictions to deny or reduce the density of housing
developments using subjective, discretionary design review. These laws do not require cities and counties to adopt objective design standards. Rather, they restrict cities’ authority to approve, deny or manage the streamlining of, housing projects without them.
1.3 1.1 SENATE BILL (“SB”) 35
SB 35 requires cities and counties to streamline review and approval of eligible affordable housing projects through a ministerial process, exempting such projects from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”). This process does not allow public hearings to consider the merits of the project; rather only design review or public oversight of the development is allowed, which must be objective and strictly focused on assessing compliance with criteria required for streamlined projects as well as objective design review of the project (Section 65913.4(c)(1).
SB 35 requires the availability of a streamlined ministerial approval process for multifamily residential developments in jurisdictions that have not yet made sufficient progress toward meeting their regional housing need allocation (RHNA) goal for construction of above-moderate income housing and/or housing for units below 80% area median income (AMI).
As a part of this streamlining process, cities are required to establish objective design standards for multifamily residential development. SB 35 defines an objective design standard as one that involves “no personal or subjective judgment by a public official and is uniformly verifiable by reference to an external and uniform benchmark or criterion available and knowable by both the development applicant…and the public official prior to submittal.” Like quantitative development or zoning standards, objective design standards provide a clear and straight forward application and approval process for multifamily housing construction.
Projects eligible for SB 35 streamlining include multifamily infill developments with a portion of affordable units. They must be consistent with underlying zoning and be evidenced to have no human health impacts or impacts to natural or historical resources.
SB 35
A streamlined approval process for housing
projects with a specified amount of affordable
housing
Applies to jurisdictions that haven’t made
enough progress in meeting their RHNA
Applications must be for infill sites and comply
with existing GP or zoning provisions
Can only apply objective zoning, subdivision,
or design review standards to determine
consistency
Sunsets in January 2026, but…
https://www.hcd.ca.gov/policy-research/docs/
sb-35-guidelines-update-final.pdf
1.4 Chapter 1: Recent Housing Law
1.2 HHA (HOUSING
ACCOUNTABILITY ACT)
1.3 SB 330
CODE SECTION 65589.5
According to the Housing Accountability Act, no “housing development project” can be denied or reduced in density if it complies with objective general plan, zoning, and design standards, unless it is shown to have a “specific adverse impact” to public health that cannot mitigated. The amended law states that cities and counties must identify any inconsistencies with any applicable “plan, program, policy, ordinance, standard, requirement, or similar provision” within 30 days after an application for 150 units or less has been deemed complete, or within 60 days for projects with more than 150 units. If the local agency does not identify an inconsistency within the required period, the project will be “deemed consistent.” (§§ 65589.5(j)(2).)
HAA also states that if the zoning for a project site is inconsistent with the general plan, but the housing project is consistent with ‘objective’ general plan standards, the project is considered consistent, and no rezoning or zoning variance is required.
Unlike SB 35 streamlining legislation, the provisions of the HAA apply to all market rate and affordable housing projects.
These include projects with residential units only, mixed-use developments with at least 2/3 the square footage dedicated to housing and transitional or supportive housing projects.
Senate Bill 330 Housing Accountability Crisis Act of 2019 provides for a faster housing project review process. It states that all A local governments must provide a preliminary application for housing development projects seeking vesting rights. The application allows applicants to provide a limited subset of information on the proposed project. After submitting the preliminary application to the local agency, applicants have 180 days to submit a full application, or the preliminary application will expire.
SB 330 also established time limits for final application review. The law states that “Not later than 30 calendar days after any public agency has received an application for a development project, the agency shall determine in writing whether the application is complete.” SB 330 provides for an applicant appeal process, and limits review of the appeal by the jurisdiction to 60 days
1.5 Chapter 1: Recent Housing Law
1.4 APPLICABILITY
The Objective Architectural Style Standards apply to new multifamily development proposals, except those areas located within the boundary of a Specific Plan. The Streamlined Ministerial Process is available to projects using SB 35 and to projects using the City’s Affordable Housing Overlay Zone. Where there is a conflict between the City’s High Density Residential and Mixed Use Objective Design Guidelines and the Architectural Style Standards, the specific requirement associated with the architectural style shall govern.
Pursuant to SB 35, the site must meet the “infill” requirements and be zoned for residential or mixed-use development. The applicant must also demonstrate that the site is not within Prime Farmland, or farmland within statewide importance, wetlands, a very high fire hazard severity zone, an earthquake fault zone, special flood hazard area, protected habitat area, or a conservation easement. 3 This page intentionally left blank
ARCHITECTURAL STYLE 2 STANDARDS
2.1 Architectural Style Standards
The following cut-sheets identify key attributes of each style with example imagery appropriate to Western Riverside County.
2.2 2.1 SPANISH REVIVAL
Derived from Spanish/Mediterranean and early Californian influences, these styles emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Projects a visually rich environment with allusions to regional history. Generally, Spanish Colonial Revival style buildings are asymmetrically arranged. The style features low-pitched roofs with little or no overhang covered with S Type Clay red roofing tiles.
These houses were almost always wood frame with stucco siding.
The use of the arch was common, especially above doors, porch entries, and main windows.
2.3 b
c
g
d
a
Chapter 2: Architectural Style Standards
2.1.1 FORM & MASSING
f
Required Elements
a. Asymmetrical
façade/elevations
b. Multiple roof planes
c. Balconies or small
porches
d. Entrances recessed at
least 12”
e. Articulated facades with
massing breaks
2.4 ab
a, b c
Chapter2: Architectural Style Standards
2.1.2 ROOF
c
d,e
Required Elements
a. Low pitched roof (4:12 maximum)
b. Red, fired, clay tile roofs. Common
shapes include both
Spanish (S-shaped) and
Mission (half- cylinder)
types
c. Shallow eaves
d. Overhanging eaves (minimum
24 inches on elevation that
face a public street) with
exposed rafter tails or beams
e. Small 1’−0” or less decorative
exposed rafter tails
2.5 a
c
Chapter 2: Architectural Style Standards
2.1.3 MATERIALS & COLORS
a
Required Elements
a. White or tan stucco wall with
smooth or lightly textured finish
(i.e. hand troweled or smaller
particles)
b. Wood window frames
c. Wooden beams and brackets
Acceptable
Optional Elements
d. Decorative metal hardware
(typically iron)
a, d
a, b
2.6 ac
Chapter2: Architectural Style Standards
2.1.4 DOORS& WINDOWS
a
b,h
f,g
Required Elements
a. Arched (flat arch or semi-circle
arch) windows
b. Recessed windows with sill
and/or headers surrounds
c. Simple divisions of
window muntin
Acceptable
Optional Elements
d. Casement windows,
typically arranged in pairs
e. Tall, double–hung windows
f. Small sparse windows
g. Window Grilles
h. Wooden shutters
a,b d,
e
2.7 adg
hi
ef
bc
Chapter2: Architectural Style Standards
2.1.5 DECORATIVE DETAILS
Acceptable Optional Elements
a. Small porches
b. Decorative tiles
c. Clay tile vents
d. Wrought iron railing
e. Courtyards
f. Recessed niches
g. Dark metal or wrought iron light
fixture with curving brackets
h. Paired wood garage doors
with iron hardware
i. Fabric awnings with metal
spear supports
2.8 2.2 CRAFTSMAN
The Craftsman or California Bungalow style is derived from the influential residential style that emerged in the early 20th century out of the Arts and Crafts movement. This style is deployed to create a visually rich residential environment with allusions to regional history. As indicated in the accompanying precedent images and illustrative diagram, recognizable elements include the artful use of wood and natural materials, low-pitched gabled or hipped roofs, horizontal orientation, and earth-toned colors.
Common design elements also include exposed rafters and beams under eaves, decorative brackets, and fasteners, full- or partialwidth porches and large columns or piers. Though this style exhibits a horizontal emphasis, vertical architectural elements are often deployed to accentuate corners and entrances. Period Craftsman residences often featured exterior cladding of wood shingles or clapboard siding and details such as extended lintels and decorative lighting with geometric detailing.
2.9 c d
Chapter 2: Architectural Style Standards
2.2.2 FORM & MASSING
a b
b
a, b
Required Elements
a. Multiple roof planes
b. Porches or balconies
c. Design elements that emphasize
horizontal orientation, such as
long window groupings, fencing,
rails, siding, balconies
d. Articulated facades with a
minimum massing break
every 25 feet
2.10 Chapter2: Architectural Style Standards
2.2.3 ROOF
d,e
b,c
a,c
Required Elements
a. Low- to moderate-pitched gable
or hipped roofs (typically from
6:12 to 8:12)
b. Overhanging eaves (minimum 24
inches along primary elevation)
with exposed rafter tails or
beams
c. Brackets or knee braces at
gabled ends
d. Flat roof concrete tiles
Acceptable
Optional Elements
e. Chimneys visible at the exterior
and located on the side façade
are acceptable
b
ea
2.11 a
d
Chapter2: Architectural Style Standards
2.2.4 MATERIALS& COLORS
b,d
a,d b,
c
Required Elements
a. Use of clapboard siding, or
fiber cement siding and natural
materials such as arroyo stone
or bricks
b. Use of dark, neutral, earth-
toned color palette, such as
browns and greens
c. However, lighter paint palettes
may also be appropriate,
particularly for details (columns,
rafter tails)
d. Commonly feature three (and
sometimes four) paint colors: one
for the cladding, one for trim, and
one or two for accents such as
windows and decorative details
b,c a,
c
2.12 a
d
b
Chapter 2: Architectural Style Standards
2.2.5 DOORS & WINDOWS
c, d
Required Elements
a. Windows shall have mullion
and divided lites
b. Utilize wood trim around windows
and doors
c. Extended lintels above doors
and windows
d. Window and door trim color
shall contrast with color of
walls
e. Door is typically stained,
rather than painted
f. Window combinations in group
of two or three
a, c a, f
2.13 ac
efgb
Chapter2: Architectural Style Standards
2.2.6 DECORATIVE DETAILS
60 d,e
Required Elements
a. Stone pier and battered
wood support
b. Exposed rafter tails and knee-
brace brackets
c. Dormers are often located on
the front façade
d. Second-story balcony
e. Decorative attic/gable vent
f. Light fixtures are typically
box- shaped, with metal
frame and geometric
pattern.
g. Chimneys are visible at the
exterior and arranged on a side
elevation.
2.14 2.3 TUSCAN
An interpretation of traditional Mediterranean architectural style based on precedents found in the Spanish Revival style joined by rural Italian elements. This style harkens to the Mediterranean variants found throughout California. As indicated in the accompanying precedent images and illustrative diagram, recognizable elements include the use of stone and stucco, light earth tones, and red-tiled roofs. Classical elements such as columns and arches and decorative ironwork add visual complexity. Squared towers and projections speak to Italianate references. Porches and porticoes are common, as are vertically oriented recessed windows.
2.15 a a
a
Chapter 2: Architectural Style Standards
2.3.2 FORM & MASSING
b
Required Elements
a. Asymmetrical arrangement
of windows and design
elements along primary
elevation
b. Porches, porticoes and/or
Juliet balconies
c. Recessed entries
b, c b, c
2.16 Chapter 2: Architectural Style Standards
2.3.3 ROOF
a, b b
Required Elements
a. Flat or low to moderatepitched roof (maximum 6:12
slope)
b. Red-toned clay tiles
c. Variation of roof planes
d. Large overhanging eaves
(minimum 12 inches) along
primary elevation
e. Shaped timber tiles at eaves
c, d c, d, e
c, e e
2.17 a
b
Chapter 2: Architectural Style Standards
2.3.4 MATERIALS & COLORS
a b
a, b
Required Elements
a. Incorporate rough-hewn stone
as accent feature
b. Flat stucco walls in light earth
tones
a
2.18 b
g
a
f
Chapter2: Architectural Style Standards
2.3.5 DOORS& WINDOWS
b, g
a, d,e
a, b,d
Required Elements
a. Vertically oriented
rectangular or arched
windows arranged in
asymmetrical patterns
b. Casement or double-hung sash
with flat or arched lintels
c. Walls shall be composed
of predominantly flat
surfaces
d. Windows shall be recessed3 to
12 inches from outer wall
e. Divided lite windows
Acceptable
Optional Elements
f. Pedimented or framed windows
g. Paired decorative wood shutters
2.19 ce
f
h
b
d
g,i
Chapter2: Architectural Style Standards
2.3.6 DECORATIVE DETAILS
d
a,i
Required Elements
a. ShallowJuliet balconies
b. Rafter extensions and brackets
c. Stone or stucco window /door trim
d. Rectangular or arched
wooden door
e. Stucco or stone chimneys
f. Deep overhangs
g. Arcade or porch at entry
h. Use of brick, stone, or
wood columns
i. Decorative ironwork
(window grilles, railings,
light fixtures, decorative
planters)
2.20 2.4 MODERN
Modern is a contemporary style derived from utilitarian precedents, utilizing block forms, contrasting colors and eclectic combinations of materials in modern compositions. This style projects a minimalist, clean aesthetic. Simple rectangular shapes and forms are combined within horizontal and vertical planes to create dynamic lines. Flat roofs reinforce the rectangular shapes and provide an opportunity for outdoor deck areas. Accents are simple and modest, usually taking the form of trellis elements.
2.21 Chapter 2: Architectural Style Standards
2.4.2 FORM & MASSING
Required Elements
a. Asymmetrical composition
b. Emphasis of rectangular forms
c. Horizontal massing with elevation
breaks
d. Lack of ornament or moldings
e. Geometric shapes
2.22 Chapter 2: Architectural Style Standards
2.4.3 ROOF
Required Element
a. Flat or low-pitched roofs (4:12
slope max)
2.23 Chapter 2: Architectural Style Standards
2.4.4 MATERIALS & COLORS
Required Elements
a. Traditional materials such as
stucco, wood, brick, and stone
reflect a contemporary aesthetic
b. Color blocking to emphasize
geometric forms and break
down massing elements
2.24 Chapter 2: Architectural Style Standards
2.4.5 DOORS & WINDOWS
Required Elements
a. Large windows set in horizontal or
vertical bands
b. Narrow window frame
2.25 ac
d
e
fb
Chapter2: Architectural Style Standards
2.4.6 DECORATIVE DETAILS
Acceptable
Optional Elements
a. Metal balcony railings
b. Eclectic mix of materials
including steel, concrete block,
brick, iron, and/ or glass
c. Broad roof overhangs
d. Usable outdoor roof decks
e. Trellis shade structures
f. Playful use of color to
provide contrasting
elements
2.26 Chapter 2: Architectural Style Standards
2.5 ARCHITECTURAL STYLE DEFINITIONS
Arcade. A roofed passageway or lane. A series of arches supported by columns, piers, or pillars, either freestanding or attached to a wall to form a gallery.
Awning: An architectural fabric or metal projection that provides weather protection, building identity, or decoration, and is wholly supported by the building to which it is attached. An awning is comprised of a lightweight frame structure over which a cover is attached.
Board and batten: a form of sheathing for wood frame buildings consisting of wide boards, usually placed vertically, whose joints are covered by narrow strips of wood over joints or cracks.
Brackets: A projection from a vertical surface providing structural or visual support under cornices, balconies, windows, or any other overhanging member.
Coping (Cap). A flat cover of stone or brick that protects the top of a wall.
Cupola. A small dome or tower, placed on the roof level. A cupola is used to ventilate and provide natural light for the structure underneath it.
Corbel: A structural piece of stone, wood or metal jutting from a wall to carry a superincumbent weight, a type of bracket.
Cornice Return: Also called an eave return, a cornice return is a graceful way to transition the eave and the main fascia board around the gable end of a house.
AWNING
CORBEL
CORNICE RETURN
BOARD BATTEN
CABLE VENT
DORMER
2.27 Chapter 2: Architectural Style Standards
Decorative Gable Vents: A non-venting louver mounted in the top of the gable.
Divided Lite: Individual panes of glass held in place by wood or synthetic material to create a pattern.
Dormer: A structure projecting from a sloping roof usually housing a vertical window that is placed in a small gable or containing a ventilating louver.
Front-gabled Roof: A gabled-roof that faces the road or main entrance.
Gable Roof: A roof having a gable at one or both ends; a roof sloping downward in two opposite directions from a central ridge, so as to form a gable at each end.
Hipped Roof: A roof which slopes upward from all four sides of a building, requiring a hip rafter at each corner.
Juliet Balcony: A pseudo balcony; a low ornamental railing to a window, projecting but slightly beyond the plane of the window, threshold or sill, having the appearance of a balcony when the window is fully open.
Mission Parapet: A low protective wall or railing along the edge of a roof, balcony, or similar structure; in an exterior wall, the part entirely above the roof.
Mullion: A dividing piece between the lights of windows, usually taking on the characteristics of the style of the building.
Muntin: A secondary framing member to hold panes in a window, window wall, or glazed door; an intermediate vertical member that divides panels of a door.
JULIET BALCONY
RAKE OVERHANGING
M
MISSION PARAPET
EAVE OVERHANGING
PEDIMENT
2.28 Chapter 2: Architectural Style Standards
Overhanging Eaves: The projecting overhang at the lower edge of a roof that sheds rainwater.
Pediments: A low-pitched triangular gable above the doorway or above a window; a triangular gable end of the roof above the horizontal cornice, often with sculpture.
Rafter Tails: The portion of the rafter that hangs over the wall.
Shingle: A small thin piece of building material often with one end thicker than the other for laying in overlapping rows as a covering for the roof or sides of a building.
Shutter: Each of a pair of hinged panels, often louvered, fixed inside or outside a window that can be closed for security or privacy or to keep out light.
Side-gabled Roof: A gabled-roof that faces either side of the main entrance.
Sill: The horizontal exterior member at the bottom of a window or door opening, usually sloped away from the bottom of the window or door for drainage of water and overhanging the wall below.
Window Sash: The movable part of a window made up of the vertical and horizontal frame that holds the glass.
RAFTER TAILS
SIDE-GABLED FRONT-GABLED
CASEMENT WINDOW DOUBLE HUNG WINDOW BAY WINDOW PARTS OF A WINDOW