Chapter 19.13
SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL AND DUPLEX DESIGN STANDARDS
Sections:
19.13.020 Applicability and exemptions.
19.13.030 Design review process.
19.13.040 Design standards for buildings less than or equal to 2,500 square feet gross floor area.
19.13.050 Design standards for large buildings greater than 2,500 square feet gross floor area.
19.13.010 Purpose.
The purpose of these design guidelines is to ensure that single-family residential development and duplexes are compatible with the character of the surrounding neighborhood by:
A. Respecting the scale and proportion of buildings fronting on the same street and block;
B. Maintaining a sense of proportion along street frontages and other portions of the project exposed to public view;
C. Preserving and incorporating natural amenities unique to the site such as specific views and vistas, topography, and mature foliage and trees (excluding hazardous trees);
D. Encouraging the use and conversion of existing single-family residences to duplexes as a means to ensure neighborhood continuity. (Ord. 2803 § 2 (Exh. B), 2025).
19.13.020 Applicability and exemptions.
These guidelines apply to modification or construction of single-family residential development in the R-2, R-3, R-4 zones within the city except the following:
A. Modifications or alterations entirely within the existing building envelope.
B. Modifications, alterations or additions to existing buildings when the area of the modification or addition is less than or equal to 500 gross square feet.
C. Construction of a new building that is less than 1,000 square feet gross floor area. (Ord. 2803 § 2 (Exh. B), 2025).
19.13.030 Design review process.
A. Design Review Process.
1. The provisions of this section shall be implemented administratively as a Type I permit process (Chapter 15.18 EMC) in conjunction with building permit review by the community development department. Relevant provisions of EMC Title 15 shall apply. A building permit shall not be issued until the community development director has found that the project complies with this chapter.
2. Use of Shall Vs. Should. The design guidelines are intended to be administered with flexibility to achieve the goals and objectives of this section. The use of the term “shall” is intended to be mandatory, and the use of the term “should” is intended to be advisory; provided, that the administrator may waive or modify mandatory requirements of this section where they are not appropriate, and may deny project approval where the applicant does not comply with an advisory provision where that provision is found to be important to meet the goals and objectives of this section.
3. Deviations from the single-family residential design standards shall be processed through the design review board. In order to approve, the design review board must find that the proposed deviations from the standards meet the purpose of EMC 19.13.010.
4. Denials by the Administrator. The development administrator may deny the issuance of a building permit for projects that do not comply with these guidelines. Any decision by the administrator to deny a project based on these guidelines may be appealed to the city’s hearing examiner. Appeals to the hearing examiner shall be processed pursuant to EMC 15.06.070. (Ord. 2815 § 2 (Exh. B), 2025; Ord. 2803 § 2 (Exh. B), 2025).
19.13.040 Design standards for buildings less than or equal to 2,500 square feet gross floor area.
A. EMC Zoning Standards. Buildings are subject to the provisions of the underlying zone in which they are located, per EMC Title 18.
B. Covered Entry. A separate covered entry shall be provided for each dwelling unit with a minimum dimension of four feet by six feet. Exceptions may be granted for the use of regional housing styles that do not traditionally contain such entries.
C. Windows on the Street. Transparent windows and/or doors shall be provided on at least 14 percent of the street-facing facade(s) (this includes any upper levels, if applicable).
D. Garage Design Standards.
1. Garages fronting the street shall be set back a minimum of 23 feet from the garage face.
2. The garage face shall occupy no more than 60 percent of the ground-level facade facing the street.
E. Walls and Fences.
1. All metal fences shall be designed with corrosion-resistant materials. All wood fences shall be stained or painted for durability and longevity.
2. Construction or installation of fences composed of chain link or corrugated metal is prohibited.
3. Fences shall provide opening(s) to connect walkways to the sidewalk or street.
F. Off-street parking shall be provided at a rate determined by EMC 19.14.070, Parking spaces required, counting each dwelling unit of a duplex as an independent single-family dwelling for this purpose only. (Ord. 2803 § 2 (Exh. B), 2025).
19.13.050 Design standards for large buildings greater than 2,500 square feet gross floor area.
A. Site and Structure Design.
1. Garages. Garages fronting the street, detached or attached, and less than 100 feet from the street shall constitute no more than 60 percent of the overall facade of the structure(s) fronting the street. Three-car garages are exempt from this provision.
a. The face of the garage shall be a minimum of three feet behind the plane of the residential portion of the house; or
b. A garage that extends in front of the residential portion of the house shall be set back from the property line a minimum of 23 lineal feet.
B. Walls and Fences.
1. All metal fences shall be designed with corrosion-resistant materials. All wood fences shall be stained or painted for durability and longevity.
2. Construction or installation of fences composed of chain link or corrugated metal is prohibited.
3. Fences shall provide opening(s) to connect walkways to the sidewalk or street.
C. Architectural and Site Design Guidelines.
1. Porch or Stoop. Homes shall be designed with either a covered or uncovered porch no less than 50 square feet of floor area and incorporating doorway access to the home.
2. Walkways. Homes shall be designed with convenient entrance/egress for pedestrians. This shall be accomplished by design of a hard surface walkway from porch to the sidewalk or street for rear-load lots. Sidewalk access shall be required from the front door to the driveway.
3. Windows. Windows shall constitute a minimum of 14 percent of front facade wall planes, excluding garages and doorways. This shall be measured from the sill plate to the top plate by the facade length. Total area is to include windows, doors and other architectural features that fall within the described area. Gabled areas, garages and doorways are not included in the base wall calculation when determining the minimum 14 percent calculation for windows; however, windows located in those areas will count towards this requirement.
a. At least 14 percent of the area of each street-facing facade must be windows.
(1) Windows provided with garage doors and front doors can count towards this requirement.
(2) Window area is considered the entire area within the outer window frame, including any interior window grid.
4. Architectural Trim. All windows, doors and garage doors visible from a street or sidewalk shall be distinctly emphasized by exterior trim or designs such as recess or bay style. Trim shall be a minimum of three inches in width of nominal dimension. Painting is not an acceptable substitute for window trim.
5. Roof Eaves. Roof eaves with a minimum projection of 12 inches from the intersection of the roof and exterior walls shall be required for all homes.
6. All buildings shall include at least three of the following features on any street-facing facade:
a. Cantilevered second story.
b. Offset on the building face at least 16 inches from one exterior wall surface to the other.
c. Dormer that is at least four feet wide and integrated into the roof form.
d. Roof eaves with a minimum projection of 16 inches from the intersection of the roof and exterior walls.
e. Horizontal lap siding with a minimum three-inch-wide exposure. Siding materials may be wood, fiber-cement or composite.
f. Tile, metal or 30-year composition roof shingles. Three-tab shingles are not permitted.
g. Brick, stone, shingles, or other similar accent materials covering at least 30 percent of the street-facing facade or the first floor or gable.
h. Gable roof, hip roof, Dutch gable, salt box or gambrel roof design.
i. Window recesses, in all windows, of at least three inches as measured horizontally from the face of the building facade.
j. Bay window at least 16 inches deep and five feet wide.
k. Any other architectural feature approved by the director. (Ord. 2803 § 2 (Exh. B), 2025).