Objective Design Standards
La Puente City Council
June 23, 2026
Presentation for Item B.1
Objective Design Standards (ODS)
Objective Design Standards (ODS)
• SB 330 (2019) requires that the denial
of any multifamily residential/mixeduse
with
project be due
an objective
to
design
inconformity
standard
• Streamlined ministerial approval processes
prescribed in state law (e.g. SB 35/423) limit
designreviewtobe“strictlyfocusedonassessing
compliance with...reasonable objective design
standards published and adopted...” (GOV
65913.4(d)(1)), requires 90-day timeline
• Objective standards involve “no personal or
subjective judgment by a public official and are
uniformly verifiable by reference to an external
and uniform benchmark or criterion available
andknowablebyboth theapplicantor developer
and the public official before submittal.” (GOV
65913.4(a)(5))
• These objective design standards were
developed as part ofa Regional Objective Design
Standards project funded by SGVCOG and with
participation of four San Gabriel Valley cities.
2 Background Research
Background Research
• Review of participating cities’ existing design
guidelines and standards, and experience
implementing them
• Fieldwork within key areas of participating cities
• Analysis of other local and regional objective
design standard efforts
• Identification of successful projects within the
San Gabriel Valley, including design topics that
they successfully implement
3 House and Block Scale Zones
House and Block Scale Zones
Different building types are anticipated in houseand block-scale zones Some standards differ between house-scale and
block-scale zones, e.g. house-scale zones:
• Have tighter modulation requirements
• Allow porch frontage type
• Require upperfloor shared decks to bestepped
back from neighbors
• Allow shared walkways/driveways for small
projects
Two- to Four- plexes Rowhomes Courtyard Apartments
Podium Mixed-Use Wrap Multiplex
HOUSE AND BLOCK SCALE ZONES
House Scale Zones (R-3, R-4)
Zones that contain buildings that contribute to a smaller-scale, neighborhood-oriented environment. House scale buildings include multiple detached dwellings on a lot, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, bungalow courts, courtyard apartments, rowhouses, townhouses, and small-scale mixed-use buildings with neighborhood-serving ground-floor uses.
Block Scale Zones (C-2, DBD)
Zones that contain buildings that contribute to a larger-scale, urban environment, often occupying most or all of a city block. Block scale buildings include mid-rise buildings, podium buildings, and wrap buildings.
House Scale Context
4 Block Scale Context
House Scale vs. Block Scale
GN STANDARDS 10
Section 1: Site Planning and Access
INTENT
Buildings should be placed and oriented to reinforce
apedestrian-oriented public realm and to establish a
strong visual and physical relationship with adjacent
streets, sidewalks, and open spaces. Site planning
should prioritize pedestrian access and activity by
aligning building frontages along public streets,
ther publicly accessiblespaces,
ank walls, excessive setbacks,
reet edges. Primary entrances,
ses, and transparent facades
wardthe publicrealmto support
d street vitality.
emphasize open spaces and
hancing connectivity by linking
o sidewalks, transit stops, open
as, and neighboring parcels.
d be legible and well integrated
ng circulation network, while
paseos, plazas,ando
and by minimizing bl
and parking along st
active ground-floor u
should beoriented to
walkability, safety, an
Site design should
the public realm, en
building entrances t
spaces, parking are
Access points shoul
into the surroundi
vehicular and servic e access should be designed
to minimize conflicts with pedestrians a
impacts on the public realm. Overall sit
should activate streets and open sp
contribute to acohesive, human-scaleden
STANDARDS
Street Relationships
1.1 The primary entrance to all buildings a
a public street shall be visible from the sidewalk
and directly connected via a pedestrian pathway
2. All projects shall comply with the Frontage Type
Standards in Section 4.
3. In house-scale zones, the length of any building
along the primary street shall not exceed 80'.
However if the ground floor is broken by an
opening of at least 10' wide and 10' high, leading
to a visible interior courtyard or other common
open space on the ground level, the building m
continue above one such opening. The length
any building, along a secondary street shall n
exceed 150'.
1.4 In block-scale zones, the length of a
along apublic street shall not exceed
1.5 Developmentswith at least 150' of fro
the primary street shall include at least one of the
following open spaces along the primary street:
a. A community plaza, commons, forecourt, or
publicly accessible neighborhood park.
b. A terrace of a minimum 50' deep and 15% of
the primary frontage width above the first
level.
c. A paseo is provided from the primary street,
connecting to acourtyard in the interior of the
site.
All open spaces shall comply with standards
defined in Section 5: and Appendices B and C,
as applicable.
Residential Privacy
1.6 When units face eachother through the open air
n 30', windows shall be
landscaping as shown
tree per 30' of buffer
be of sufficient density
ctive visual separation
scale zones only, this
y to units built to face
ning property.
gs are located within 10'
nd reduce at a distance of less tha
e planning offset, or screened with
aces and below, at a rate of one
vironment. length. Landscaping shall
and height to provide effe
between units. In house
standard shall also appl
existing units on an adjoi
1.7 When residential buildin
of one another, windows
djacent to
on the facing building
facades shall avoid unfiltered or direct views by
one or more of the following:
a. Utilize non-transparent or obscured glazing,
such as frosted or patterned glass, glass block,
or non-operable opaque windows. Reflective
glazing is not permitted.
b. Provide permanent architectural screens or
affixed louvers at windows.
c. Utilize clerestory windows a minimum height
of six feet from the ground or floor plate.
1.5: Developments with at l
street shall include a ay primary of open sp
ot
aces
Terrace
Community plaza, Commons, Forecourt,
or Publicly Accessible Neighborhood Park
ny building
350'.
ntage along May be located on
corner or midblock
Connects to
Interior Courtyar
Paseo
1.6: Windows within 30 ft offset and screened
e an opening leading
mon open space on
east 150' of frontage along
t least one of the following 1.3: Continuation of a building abov to a visible interior courtyard or com
the ground level.
SGVCOG REGIONAL OBJECTIVE DESI
Standards Approach
Standards Approach
Each topic’s discussion
begins with a short set
of guidelines expressing
the design intent of the
standards. This forms
the basis for findings
to deviate from the
standards
The paper format is ledger
size (11x17), landscape
format, single-sided. This
format adapts well to
computer monitors and TV
screens.
This is followed by
numbered standards
expressed with clear,
regulatory text meeting
the state’s definition of
an objective standard
Numerical, dimensional
and spatial standards
are further described
through simple, two
or three-dimensional
diagrams.
Other standards are supplemented
with photographic examples,
drawing from projects within the
San Gabriel Valley where possible.
Standards may apply across an entire
jurisdiction in “house-scale” or “blockscale” zones, or only in unique zoning districts
5 Topics Covered
Topics Covered
1. Site Planning and Access
2. Building Modulation and Articulation
3. Materials, Finishes and Color
4. Frontages
5. Open Space
6. Entries
7. Exterior Lighting
8. Walls and Fences
9. Loading Areas, Trash and Utilities
Other Standards
Porch shall serve a single residential unit or
buildingentry.
Reasonable accommodation shall be provided as
appropriate.
Stairs shall be perpendicular to the building
façade.
Entrydoors shall be covered or recessed.
All yard areas adjacent to porches shall be filled
with landscaping, and all semi-subterranean
parking areas shall be hidden with landscaping.
The Director may exempt projects from the
requirement in each of these frontage types to
provide access from the sidewalk when compliance
is infeasible or impractical.
A.4 Porch
Applicable Uses: Residential
The front door is accessed through a decently-sized, covered outdoor living area which provides an opportunity for seating and "eyes on the street," while maintaining significant privacy for residents. The porch accentuates residential character and provides a unifying element between single-family and modest-density multifamily structures within house-scale neighborhoods.
Required Dimensions
Width, Clear (A) 10ft min.
Depth, Clear (B) 6 ft min., 10ft max.
FinishLevel above
Sidewalk (C) 1ft min.,4 ft max.
Distance Between
Porch Elements And
Right-of-Way(D)
5ft min., Max. is the
min. setback ofthe
zone
Building Setback from
Right-of-Way (E)
Min setback applicable
to the zone.
Transparency, Ground
Floor 35%min.
E
C
B
D
A
B.3 Courtyards
An open, unroofed outdoor area, often paved, that is partially or completely enclosed by the walls of adjacent buildings, providing a semi-private, secluded outdoor space for light, air, relaxation, or gathering.
B.2 Neighborhood Parks and and Recreational Amenity Areas Accessible local parks and recreation spaces offering nearby residents places for activity, exercise, play, and community connection, featuring amenities like outdoor seating and shade, green spaces, recreational facilities, barbeques/picnic, and more. They serve as essential neighborhood hubs for physical activity, social interaction, and easy access to nature, fostering healthier, more resilient communities. Designed for people living in the surrounding residential developments, usually within a quarter-mile radius or less.
Size: spaces can vary significantly in size / shape but shall have aminimum area of 1,000 square feet and aminimum
dimension of 25 feet in each direction.
Location & Application: located at ground level, to be
visible from an adjacent roadway or primary circulation route. Spaces intended to be accessible for all residents within a1320' radius (1/4 mile, 5-minute walk) and can be a single space or a distributed series of spaces as required to serve the full development.
Development Frontage: primarily residential uses, can
also include small or limited ground floor retail / commercial uses required to support park / amenity area programming, eg. corner shops, small cafes, vending kiosks, etc.
6 Access & Usage: publicly or privately accessible. Permitted to provide barrier controls to limit public access to the space after business hours or at night consistent with city park hours of operation. Public street with sidewalk, or pedestrian walkway of at least 15’ width required on at least one side of the space connecting to key circulation routes and destinations within and outside the development.
Landscape: include aminimum of 50% planted areas and
a minimum of one 24-inch box tree for every 500 square
feet of common open space for the first 2,500 square
feet, then one 24-inch box tree for every 1,000 square feet of common open space thereafter. Exceptions may be
given for small spaces dedicated to dense, more active
programmingthat provide significantcommunity benefit.
Programming: primarily active uses with focus on serving resident recreation, activity, and social needs including sports courts, kids play, community swimming pools,
picnic and barbeques, etc. Refer to 5.8 for shortlist of potential programming options to consider when planning the space.
Additional Requirements: n/a.
Size: spaces shall have a minimum area of 600 square feet and a minimum dimension of at least 20' wide, with secondary dimensions relative to the height of the abutting building(s) wall.
Secondary dimensions shall be: up to 2.5 stories = 30’ wide, 3 to 5 stories = at least 40’ wide, 6 to 8 stories = at least 1/2 the height of the tallest wall.
Location & Application: located at ground level, buildings shall define at least two edges of the courtyard space. Courtyards encouraged to be accessible from a primary roadway when requiring public access, otherwise discretionary for private access but should comply with and support all frontage and building break requirements (e.g. visibility from public street required when using paseo and Courtyard to comply with
building break standard 1.3).
Development Frontage: primarily residential uses, can also include small or limited ground floor retail / commercial uses required to support Courtyard programming, eg. corner shops, small cafes, vending kiosks, etc.
Access & Usage: publicly or privately accessible when in residential frontage conditions, publicly accessible when in retail or commercial frontage conditions. Permitted to provide barrier controls to limit public access to the space after business hours or at night consistent with city park hours of operation.
No specific pedestrian thoroughfare requirements for this type of space but linking Courtyard spaces to other open spaces, including other Courtyards, is always encouraged.
Landscape: include a minimum of 25% planted areas and a minimum of one 24-inch box tree for every 500 square feet of common open space for the first 2,500 square feet, then one 24-inch box tree for every 1,000 square feet of common open space thereafter.
Programming: more passive uses focused on fulfilling resident needs for quiet, intimate spaces serving as tranquil areas for relaxation, connection to nature, socializing, dining, or gardening, while also improving a building's microclimate and aesthetics by integrating indoor/outdoor living. The physical spaces may vary significantly from hardscape type courtyard plazas to more heavily planted courtyard gardens. Refer to 5.8 for shortlist of potential programming options to consider when planning the space.
Additional Requirements: n/a.
Frontage Type Example
Open Space Types Example
Recommended Changes from Staff Report Version
Recommended Changes from Staff Report Version
Completed cover, introductory sections and
images
Clerical changes identified from other cities’
review of the document
• Providing more precise language to ensure that
readers understand the exact meaning of the
standard
• Clarifying the meaning of “length,” “width,” and
“depth” / clarifying the precise direction that
was being referred to with aparticular standard
• Harmonizing number and unit measurement
formats
• Providing additional flexibility to designers
complying with privacy standards
June 18, 2026
City of La Puente
Objective Design Standards
Section 2: Building Modulation and Articulation
20’
+15’ Max.
New
Construction
Historic
Resource
New
Construction
Historic
Resource
20’
2.19 c,d: Setback requirements adjacent to a historic
resource
CITY OF LA PUENTE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 14
2.19 a,b: Expression Line and Transitional Height adjacent to historic resources
c d
Roof Design
2.17 The building roof height or roof form shall have
a minimum of one roof variation for every 50
feet of façade length along the street. Each roof
variation shall meet at least one of the following
requirements:
a. A change in roof plane that results in a
minimum two-foot projection or recession,
measured perpendicular to the façade.
b. A shift in the roof line of 18 inches or greater,
measured vertically from the highest point of
the adjoining roof line(s).
c. The use of adormer, gable, ridge break, offset
eave, or similar architectural element that
creates a minimum five-foot horizontal break
or relief in the roof plan before continuation of
the primary roof form.
2.18 Roof forms shall terminate in a manner that
accurately expresses the true building volume and
prevents the appearance of a false or enlarged
building mass. All roof terminations shall comply
with the standards in this section.
a. When a sloped roof adjoins a side wall or a
shared lot line, the sloped roof profile shall
terminate directly at the lot line or side wall.
The sloped form shall not wrap, project
beyond, or extend around the adjoining wall
or lot line
b. Flat roof parapets may extend along the rear
façade, side wall, or shared lot line, provided
the parapet accurately reflects the true
building mass and does not imply additional
interior volume
c. Where a roof parapet transitions from or
connects to a sloped roof form, the parapet
shall extend to the point necessary to maintain
the continuityof the sloped roof profile
d. Where a roof parapet extends beyond the
roof plane, the parapet return shall measure a
minimum of six feet (6'), measured horizontally
from the roof edge, before terminating or
changing direction
Design in Proximity to Historic Resources
2.19 The following standards apply to all new
developments located on a site that is directly
adjacent to adesignated historical resource:
a. The building façade along the primary or
secondary front of new development shall
incorporate a ground floor expression line or
entablature that aligns with the height of the
corresponding architectural feature on the
adjacent historical resource. Where there are
two existing historical resource buildings abut
the site, the resource with the taller expression
line applies.
b. The height within the first 20 feet of the
development shall be no more than 15 feet
greater than the historic resource.
c. The side setback shall match the side setback
of the historic resource, up to a maximum of
15feet.
d. The street-facing setback of the 20 feet
adjacent to the historic resource shall be
no less than the average of the minimum
permitted setback on the development
property, and the existing setback of the
historic resource.
2.17 a,b.: Roof form variation options
2’
50’
2.17 c.: Roof form variation options
5’ Min.
50’
a
b
18”
c
2.18 a,c.: Rooftermination
50’
6’
a
c
7 Design Review Process
Design Review Process
Streamlined Ministerial Review Process
Minor Site Plan and Design Review Approval Process
Major Site Plan and Design Review Process
Staff Review
Compliance with Zoning Regs, Objective Design Standards (ODS), & Pre-2020 Design Guidelines
Application Submittal
Staff Review
Compliance with Zoning Regs, General Plan, Objective Design Standards, and Pre-2020 Design Guidelines
Application Submittal
Approve Deny
Recommend to
Approve
PC Hearing
Approve Approve with
Variation Deny
Recommend to
Deny
Recommendation
to Approve with a Variation
Approve with
Variation
Application Submittal
Qualifies for Major Site Plan and Design
Review
Qualifies for Minor Site Plan and
Design Review
Must abide by streamlined timeline:
90 days for developments with 150 units or less
180 days for developments with more than 150 units.
8 Objective Design Standards
La Puente City Council
June 23, 2026