CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
COMPREHENSIVE ZONING CODE UPDATE
NOVEMBER 2025
for the development of
Single-Family and Two-Family Residential
Design Standards
Existing
Conditions
Report
Prepared by:
Attachment 3
77 2 CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
SINGLE-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS TOC
IN THIS REPORT
1 PROJECT INTRODUCTION 3
Objective Design Standards 4
Project Goals 5
Project Timeline 6
Project Applicability 7
2 DOCUMENT OBSERVATIONS 8
Landscape & Scenic Highways Resource Document 9
Historic Resources Element 10
Land Use Element 11
Development Standards 12
Design Guidelines 13
3 PROJECT OBSERVATIONS 14
Exemplary Projects 15
Controversial Projects 16
4 PRECEDENT OBSERVATIONS 17
Precedents 18
5 NEIGHBORHOOD OBSERVATIONS 19
Laguna Beach Neighborhoods 20
1 Downtown Laguna 21
2 North Laguna 22
3 Central Laguna 23
4 Laguna Canyon 24
5 Mystic Hills 25
6 Temple Hills 26
7 Bluebird Canyon 27
8 Diamond Crestview 28
9 Arch Beach Heights 29
10 Portafina 30
11 Top of the World 31
12 South Laguna 32
13 Sycamore Hills 33
Consultant Findings 34
6 “STYLE” / “GROUP” CONSIDERATIONS 35
Arts & Crafts / Shingle / Bungalow 36
Spanish Revival / Monterey 37
Cottage / Storybook / Tudor 38
Period Styles 39
Minimal Traditional with “Style” Overtones 40
“Beach” / Cottage 41
Midcentury / Modern / Post & Beam 42
Contemporary 43
Questions for Discussion 44
78 CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
SINGLE-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS 3 TOC PROJECT 1 INTRODUCTION
79 4 CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
SINGLE-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS TOC
OBJECTIVE DESIGN
STANDARDS (ODS)
“... standards that 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 and knowable by both
the development applicant or
proponent and the public official
before submittal.”
(California Government Code, Section 65913.4)
• Senate Bill 9: “...a local agency may impose objective zoning standards, objective subdivision standards, and objective design review standards that do not conflict with this section.” • City staff can approve single-family and two-family projects if they comply with one of the defined architectural styles and the ODS associated with the architectural style.
• New homes would still require discretionary approval (CDP process).
DESIGN GUIDELINES DESIGN STANDARDS
• Subjective: open to interpretation and difficult to measure • “Should” statements
• Recommendation, which may/may not be enforced by DRB
• Discretionary project approval process
• Objective: measurable and verifiable
• “Shall” statements
• Requirements, which are enforceable as regulations
• Ministerial project approval process
80 5 CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
SINGLE-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS TOC
PROJECT GOALS
• Explore and define Laguna Beach single- and twofamily architectural character on a neighborhood-byneighborhood basis. • Engage with Staff and decision-makers to understand
the expectations and aspirations of single-family and
two-family development in Laguna Beach.
• Prepare objective design standards (ODS) for singlefamily and two-family developments, inclusive of hillside standards.
• PROJECT KICK-OFF
• CITY TOUR WITH STAFF
• ADDITIONAL CITY VISITS & DOCUMENTATION
• EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT
• 11/19 JOINT PLANNING COMMISSION & DESIGN
REVIEW BOARD STUDY SESSION
• TWO ADDITIONAL STUDY SESSIONS WITH DECISIONMAKERS
• TWO PUBLIC HEARINGS
• ADMINISTRATIVE DRAFT DESIGN STANDARDS
• PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT DESIGN STANDARDS
• FINAL DESIGN STANDARDS
PROJECT TASKS
81 6 CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
SINGLE-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS TOC
PROJECT TIMELINE
SEPTEMBER
2025
OCTOBER
2025
NOVEMBER
2025
DECEMBER
2025
JANUARY
2026
FEBRUARY
2026
MARCH
2026
APRIL
2026
MAY
2026
JUNE
2026
JULY
2026
AUGUST
2026
PROJECT
KICKOFF &
CITY TOUR
JOINT PLANNING COMMISSION
& DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
STUDY SESSION
11/19/2025
DECISION-MAKER
STUDY SESSION
date TBD
DECISION-MAKER
STUDY SESSION
date TBD
Existing Conditions
Report Administrative Draft Design Standards Staff Review Staff Review Public Review
Draft Design
Standards
Final
Design
Standards
Public Hearings
dates TBD
Staff
Review
FALL
2026
Training
dates TBD
82 TOC
PROJECT
APPLICABILITY
7 CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
mile SINGLE-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS 0 1/4 1/2 3/4 1
R/HP
Residential Hillside Protection Zone
Laguna Canyon Annexation Area
Specific Plan
Sarah Thurston Park
Specific Plan
Downtown
Specific Plan
Diamond Crestview Specific Plan
Arch Beach Heights Specific Plan
CH-M
Commercial Hotel-Motel Zone
R-1
Residential Low Density Zone
STP
Sarah Thurston Park
R-2
Residential Medium Density Zone
DSP
Downtown Specific Plan
VC
Village Community Zone
R-3
Residential High Density Zone
LBP
Local Business Professional Zone
TAB
Three Arch Bay Zone
LAG
Lagunita Zone
Applicable zones permit singlefamily and two-family dwellings per the existing Laguna Beach
Municipal Code as well projects
permitted under SB 9.
83 CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
SINGLE-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS 8 TOC DOCUMENT 2 OBSERVATIONS
84 9 CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
SINGLE
-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS TOC
LANDSCAPE & SCENIC HIGHWAYS
RESOURCE DOCUMENT
(2018)
Laguna Beach General Plan • 1992-1995: Master Landscape Task Force developed community-wide landscape
guidelines, working with community residents
to identify residential neighborhoods related
to topography and other visual distinctions
• 2018: Updates to neighborhood character
descriptions, with more detailed site-specific
landscape lists and recommendations
This Existing Conditions Report uses the same
neighborhood areas to organize observations
of architectural character (see Section 5:
Neighborhood Observations).
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SINGLE-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS TOC
HISTORIC RESOURCES
ELEMENT (2022)
Laguna Beach General Plan
• Laguna Beach: a “pedestrian community with a unique
village atmosphere and significant aesthetic amenities” • Pre-1927 homes: Craftsman style, those remaining are
Bungalow style
• late 1920s-mid 1930s: Period Revival styles, recreating the architecture of Europe (Spanish Colonial Revival,
Mediterranean Revival, English Tudor Revival)
• Depression: Art Deco, Streamline Moderne, Minimal
Traditional
• Excerpts from a Historic Resources Report from 1980
identify six architectural styles in Laguna Beach:
Craftsman, Bungalow, Beach Cottage, Period Revival,
Moderne, Eclectic
Are the six architectural styles identified in this
Element still relevant in describing Laguna Beach
35 years later?
If Laguna Beach has one-of-a-kind interpretations
of style, how can styles be identified?
• Artist influence in Laguna Beach led to an
individualized architecture: “Laguna Beach
architecture illustrates the personality that results
from one-of-a-kind interpretations of styles, as
well as strong European influences in the desire to
emphasize the village quality.”
86 11 CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
SINGLE-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS TOC
LAND USE
ELEMENT (2025)
Laguna Beach General Plan
Related to Community and Single-Family Architectural Character:
• Guiding Principle 5: Preserve the village atmosphere of the downtown, characterized by diverse architectural styles. • Policy 2.1: Maintain the diversity and uniqueness of individual neighborhoods.
• Policy 2.7: Evaluate the impact of proposed development on hillsides and along ridgelines and require building design, location, and arrangement to avoid continuous and intrusive impacts on hillside view areas and skyline profiles.
• Policy 2.8: Require building design and siting to be compatible and integrated with natural topographic features.
• Action 2.10.2: Ensure that the Design Guidelines sufficiently protect public views.
Related to Relevant Process and Procedures:
• Action 2.4.1: Investigate methods to encourage
neighborhoods to establish overlay zones or special
development standards to address neighborhood-specific
development impacts.
• Action 5.1.1: Improve design guidelines and review
procedures to more effectively evaluate development
projects.
• Action 9.4.1: Provide ongoing education to the City
Council, Planning Commission, and Design Review
Board to achieve consistent application, interpretation, and implementation of the zoning standards, General Plan policies, and Design Review Guidelines.
The General Plan envisions Laguna Beach as a place of
abundant scenic and natural beauty, small-town village
charm, and cultural diversity. Ensure that new singlefamily and two-family design standards reflect goals, policies, and actions established in the Land Use Element. 87 12 CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
SINGLE-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS TOC
DEVELOPMENT
STANDARDS
LBMC Title 25: Zoning
The City shared a matrix summarizing the development
standards for the following zones:
• Residential Low, Medium, and High Density Zones
• Residential Hillside Protection Zone
• Lagunita Zone
• Arch Beach Heights Specific Plan
• Sarah Thurston Park Specific Plan
• Three Arch Bay Zone
• Village Community Zone
• Laguna Canyon Annexation Area Specific Plan
• Diamond Crestview Specific Plan
Development Standards Topic Areas:
• Lot Coverage
• Gross Floor Area
• Setbacks
• Height
• Fences, Hedges, and Walls
• Spaces Between Buildings
• Access
• Parking
• Landscape Open Space
• Chimneys
• Patios, Stairs, Terraces
• Accessory Structures
• Driveways
Are there development standards that should be refined
for single-family projects going through a ministerial
process?
Are there development standards that need to be tailored to reflect particular architectural styles?
88 13 CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
SINGLE-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS TOC DESIGN
GUIDELINES (2010)
The Design Guidelines present an opportunity to convert subjective language into measurable and quantifiable standards that allow for Staff to ministerially approve single-family and twofamily developments in compliance with the design standards. • “Should” vs. “shall”: Design Guidelines are mostly subjective language, “should” statements, that begin to describe Laguna Beach character
• Precedent photos and diagrams supplement the guidelines to illustrate design intent
• Architecture styles are not explicitly described, but neighborhood context is crucial in the selection of style 89 14 CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
SINGLE-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS TOC PROJECT 3 OBSERVATIONS
90 15 CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
SINGLE-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS TOC
EXEMPLARY
PROJECTS
*as provided by City Staff
*
GENERAL
FINDINGS
• Broken down massing.
• Varied roof expression.
• Larger overhangs for contemporary
architecture.
• Clear progression between public to semiprivate to private. • Light/beige color tones.
• Darker roof contrast.
• Designed perimeter fencing and walls.
• Second level of detail (i.e. trellises, chimneys,
breakdown of fence elements, bay windows,
etc.).
IRVINE COVE PLACE
• Contemporary with traditional period
style ranch massing
• Broken down massing
• High quality materials/details
• Landscaped retaining walls
BLUEBIRD CANYON DRIVE
• Contemporary Hawaiian Plantation
• Overhangs
• Indoor/outdoor
• Broken massing
• Varied roofline
• Foundation landscape walls
ALTA VISTA WAY
• Contemporary
• Broken down massing
• Vertical stepbacks
• Modest overhangs
• Foundation landscape walls
ASTER STREET
• Contemporary Spanish Revival
• Broken massing
• Varied roofline
• Trellis
• Foundation landscape walls
CRESCENT BAY DRIVE
• Contemporary
• Overhanging eaves
• Broken massing
• Entry element at sidewalk
• Varied materials
CORAL DRIVE
• Contemporary Arts and Crafts Ranch
• Broken massing
• Entry porch and trellis
• Low perimeter wall
• Rake details
91 16 CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
SINGLE-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS TOC
CONTROVERSIAL
PROJECTS
*as provided by City Staff
*
• Size, mass, bulk, and setback areas.
• View equity and privacy issues.
• Poor depictions of context and views.
• DRB conversations about aesthetics in controversial project tend to be more about gross development parameters and less about architectural style.
General Findings
92 17 CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
SINGLE-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS TOC PRECEDENT 4 OBSERVATIONS
93 18 CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
SINGLE-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS TOC
CITY OF DEL MAR
CALIFORNIA
CITY OF SOUTH PASADENA
CALIFORNIA
CITY OF CORAL GABLES
FLORIDA
6 single-family zones 3 single-family zones; 1 single-family zone defines front yard & side yard setbacks
lot-by-lot
1 single-family zone with some parcelspecific standards by locale No specific character or style requirement No specific character or style requirement Robust development/design standards with additional architecture standards
Design review for all single-family
developments by a Design Review Board,
plus a required Citizen Participation process
Design review for all single-family
developments by a Planning Commission
Design review for all single-family
developments by a Board of Architects
Allowance for a minor project Administrative
Design Review process
Review allowance for a defined minor
project by a Planning Commission Chair or
Community Development Director
Defined City Architect position
Standards and guidelines for ocean views
from adjoining properties, 360-degree
architecture, privacy/modesty, compatible
colors
Encouragement of character based upon
tradition, context, and historical structures;
but with guidelines that emphasize
distinction from tradition with equal
detailing and materials
Requirement for original design with
Colonial, Venetian, Mediterranean, Italian,
French, Bahamian, or other identifiable style
(local precedents cited)
Availability and required use of a Best
Practices: Single-Family Residences For
Aesthetic Review Manual
94 19 CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
SINGLE-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS TOC NEIGHBORHOOD 5 OBSERVATIONS
95 TOC
LAGUNA BEACH
NEIGHBORHOODS*
*per the Landscape and Scenic Highways Element (2018)
and Downtown Specific Plan area
1 2
3 4
5 6 7
8 9
10 11
12 13
20 CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
SINGLE-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS 1 Downtown Laguna 7 Bluebird Canyon
2 North Laguna 8 Diamond Crestview
3 Central Laguna 9 Arch Beach Heights
4 Laguna Canyon 10 Portafina
5 Mystic Hills 11 Top of the World
6 Temple Hills 12 South Laguna
13 Sycamore Hills
mile
0 1/4 1/2 3/4 1
96 21 CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
SINGLE-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS TOC DOWNTOWN 1 LAGUNA*
• Tudor / Cottage Style
• Period Style
• Spanish Revival
• Minimal Traditional
OBSERVED
“STYLES”
Unincorporated
Orange County
North
Laguna
Mystic
Hills
Central
Laguna
Laguna
CanyonBroadway St.
Park Ave.
Forest Ave.
N. Coast Hwy.
3rd St.
Pacific
Ocean
Neighborhood Boundary
Applicable Zoning
Sub-Neighborhood Boundary
Not Applicable Zoning
*neighborhood boundary inclusive of
the Downtown Specific Plan area
97 22 CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
SINGLE-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS TOC NORTH 2 LAGUNA
• Prairie, but updated
• Minimal Traditional
• Spanish Revival meets Frank Lloyd
Wright-inspired
• Arts and Crafts
• Shingle Style meets Minimal Traditional
• Farmhouse meets Bungalow Arts and
Crafts
• Mid-Century Modern Post and Beam
• Storybook
• Ranch with customizations
• Monterey
IRVINE COVE Neighborhood Boundary
Applicable Zoning
Sub-Neighborhood Boundary
Not Applicable Zoning
2G
2G
2A
2A NORTH LAGUNA
2E
2E SUNSET RIDGE
2F
2F SMITHCLIFFS
2C
2C HILLCREST
2D
2D CRESCENT BAY
2B
2B HEISLER
Unincorporated
Orange County
Pacific
Ocean
Downtown
Laguna
N. Coast Hwy.
OBSERVED
“STYLES”
98 23 CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
SINGLE-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS TOC CENTRAL 3 LAGUNA
• Modern
• Spanish Revival
• Hand-crafted Mediterranean
• Shingle-Style
• 1930s Period Style
• New England Cottage
• Tudor-Influenced Cottage
• Late Post Modern
• Arts and Crafts / “grandma” Arts and
Crafts
• California “Beach”
Neighborhood Boundary
Applicable Zoning
Sub-Neighborhood Boundary
Not Applicable Zoning
3A ARROYO CHICO 3G VICTORIA BEACH
3E ROCKLEDGE/LOWER WOODS COVE
3C GAVIOTA 3F UPPER VICTORIA/ALTA VISTA
3D WOODS COVE
3B OAK
3A
3B
3C
3D
3E
3G
3F
Pacific
Ocean
Unincorporated
Orange County
Mystic
Hills
Temple
Hills
Bluebird
Canyon
Diamond
Crestview
South
Laguna
Arch Beach
Heights
Portafina
N. Coast Hwy.
Thalia St.
Calliope St.
Alta Vista Way
OBSERVED
“STYLES”
99 24 CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
SINGLE-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS TOC LAGUNA 4 CANYON
• Farmhouse Arts and Crafts
• Neo Colonial
• Folk Houses National
• Contemporary
• Tudor
• Arts and Crafts with Colonial
• Tudor with French Chateau tendencies
• Brutalist
• Spanish Revival
• Modern
• A-Frame
Unincorporated
Orange County
Unincorporated
Orange County
Downtown
Laguna
Mystic
Hills
Top of the
World
Temple
Hills Bluebird
Canyon
Neighborhood Boundary
Applicable Zoning
Sub-Neighborhood Boundary
Not Applicable Zoning
4A SARAH THURSTON PARK 4C CASTLE ROCK
4B CANYON ACRES 4D SUN VALLEY
4A
4B
4C
4D Laguna Canyon Rd.
OBSERVED
“STYLES”
100
25 CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
SINGLE-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS TOC MYSTIC 5 HILLS
• Contemporary Minimal Traditional
• Contemporary Ranch
• Contemporary
• Shed
Neighborhood Boundary
Applicable Zoning
Sub-Neighborhood Boundary
Not Applicable Zoning
5A MANZANITA
5B MYSTIC HILLS
Downtown
Laguna
Laguna
Canyon
Temple
Hills
Top of the
World
Central
Laguna
5A
5B Park Ave.
Park Ave.
Skyline Dr.
OBSERVED
“STYLES”
101
26 CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
SINGLE-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS TOC TEMPLE 6 HILLS
• Contemporary Ranch
• Minimal Traditional
• Contemporary Prarie
• “Beach”
• Mid Century Modern / Post & Beam
Neighborhood Boundary
Applicable Zoning
Sub-Neighborhood Boundary
Not Applicable Zoning
6A TEMPLE HILLS
6B RIMROCK
Unincorporated
Orange County
Mystic
Hills
Central
Laguna
Bluebird
Canyon
Diamond
Crestview
Top of the
World
6A
6B
Temple Hills Dr.
Temple Hills Dr.
OBSERVED
“STYLES”
102
27 CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
SINGLE-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS TOC BLUEBIRD 7 CANYON
• Suburban late Modern
• Suburban style Minimal Traditional with Bungalow Character • Ranch with Contemporary Expression
• Mid Century Shed
• Mid Century Contemporary
Neighborhood Boundary
Applicable Zoning
Sub-Neighborhood Boundary
Not Applicable Zoning
7A BLUEBIRD CANYON
7B RANCHO LAGUNA
Unincorporated
Orange County
Diamond
Crestview
Arch Beach
Heights
Temple
Hills
Central
Laguna
Bluebird Canyon Dr.
Morningside Dr.
OBSERVED
“STYLES”
7A
7B
103
28 CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
SINGLE-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS TOC Specific Plan Area
DIAMOND 8 CRESTVIEW
• Minimal Traditional
• Modern
• Spanish Revival
• Italianate
• Bungalow
• Mid Century Modern
• New England/Nantucket
Neighborhood Boundary
Applicable Zoning
Sub-Neighborhood Boundary
Not Applicable Zoning
Arch Beach
Heights
Bluebird
Canyon
Central
Laguna
Inez Dr.
Diamond St.
Crestview Dr.
OBSERVED
“STYLES”
104
29 CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
SINGLE-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS TOC Specific Plan Area
ARCH BEACH 9 HEIGHTS
• Post/beam expression
• Minimal Traditional
• Mediterranean/Spanish Revival
• Contemporary architecture reflective of 60s/70s
Neighborhood Boundary
Applicable Zoning
Sub-Neighborhood Boundary
Not Applicable Zoning
Unincorporated
Orange County
Central
Laguna
Portafina
Diamond
Crestview
Bluebird
Canyon Balboa Ave.
Inez St.
Del Mar Ave.
Alisos Ave.
OBSERVED
“STYLES”
105
30 CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
SINGLE-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS TOC 10 PORTAFINA • Contemporary Arts and Crafts
• Mid Century Modern
• Contemporary
• Contemporary Spanish Revival
• Contemporary Minimal Traditional
Neighborhood Boundary
Applicable Zoning
Sub-Neighborhood Boundary
Not Applicable Zoning
Arch Beach
Heights
Central
Laguna
South
Laguna
OBSERVED
“STYLES”
106
31 CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
SINGLE-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS TOC
TOP OF THE
WORLD 11 • “Beach”
• Arts and Crafts
• Contemporary
Neighborhood Boundary
Applicable Zoning
Sub-Neighborhood Boundary
Not Applicable Zoning
11A TOP OF THE WORLD
Unincorporated
Orange County
Temple
Hills
Bluebird
Canyon
Mystic
Hills
11B OLD TOP OF THE WORLD
11B
11A Alta Laguna Blvd.
OBSERVED
“STYLES”
107
32 CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
SINGLE-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS TOC SOUTH
LAGUNA 12 • Minimal Traditional
• Spanish Revival
• Beach inspired
THREE ARCH BAY Neighborhood Boundary
Applicable Zoning
Sub-Neighborhood Boundary
Not Applicable Zoning
12A DRIFTWOOD/ALISO 12D 12G
12E
12F
12B
12C
UPPER VILLAGE
ALISO CANYON SOUTH LAGUNA VILLAGE TRACT 849
COAST ROYAL
LAGUNITA/TREASURE ISLAND
Unincorporated
Orange County
Dana
Point
Laguna
Niguel
Portafina
Pacific
Ocean
12A
12B
12C
12D
12E
12F
12G
N. Coast Hwy.
OBSERVED
“STYLES”
108
33 CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
SINGLE-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS TOC
SYCAMORE
HILLS 13 • Minimal Traditional / Colonial tendancies
• Technically single-family is permitted, but an already built-out multifamily development
Neighborhood Boundary
Applicable Zoning
Sub-Neighborhood Boundary
Not Applicable Zoning
Aliso Viejo
Laguna
Woods
Laguna
Beach
El Toro Rd.
GENERAL
FINDINGS
109
34 CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
SINGLE-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS TOC
CONSULTANT
FINDINGS
1. There was no style
overwhelmingly characteristic to
any neighborhood.
2. Laguna Beach character is the
non-rigorous use of architectural
style.
3. Larger lots in newer hillside
neighborhoods are less “quirky”
and more contemporary.
Consider style “groupings”
with a stylistic framework and
characteristic elements instead
of design standards for pure
architectural styles.
Roofline:
Contemporary Style
Deck:
Midcentury/
Contemporary Style
Entry:
Arts & Crafts / Colonial Style
110
“STYLE” / “GROUP” 6 CONSIDERATIONS
35 CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
SINGLE-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS TOC 111
36 CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
SINGLE-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS TOC
ARTS & CRAFTS / SHINGLE / BUNGALOW
CENTRAL LAGUNA CANYON ACRES
112
37 CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
SINGLE-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS TOC
SPANISH REVIVAL / MONTEREY
DOWNTOWN LAGUNA DOWNTOWN LAGUNA
113
38 CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
SINGLE-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS TOC
COTTAGE / STORYBOOK / TUDOR
WOODS COVE CANYON ACRES
114
39 CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
SINGLE-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS TOC
PERIOD STYLES
WOODS COVE DOWNTOWN LAGUNA
115
40 CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
SINGLE-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS TOC MINIMAL TRADITIONAL WITH “STYLE” OVERTONES
WOODS COVE DOWNTOWN LAGUNA
116
41 CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
SINGLE-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS TOC “BEACH” / COTTAGE
CENTRAL LAGUNA CENTRAL LAGUNA NORTH LAGUNA
117
42 CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
SINGLE-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS TOC
MIDCENTURY / MODERN / POST & BEAM
NORTH LAGUNA ARCH BEACH HEIGHTS SPECIFIC PLAN
118
43 CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
SINGLE-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS TOC
CONTEMPORARY
WOODS COVE PORTAFINA
119
44 CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
SINGLE
-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS TOC
QUESTIONS FOR
DISCUSSION
1. Is our understanding of Laguna
Beach architectural character and
style aligned with yours?
2. Are there architectural
characteristics you would like to see
become objective design standards,
or architectural characteristics you
believe should remain subjective?
120