(A) Applicability. The following standards shall apply to all new single-family attached dwellings in the city. For projects built under old standards but that have space for additional buildings, all new buildings are expected to meet these standards unless it is determined:
(1) The location is not on an arterials and collector road or other highly visible location where strict compliance is crucial to meeting overall city aesthetic goals; and
(2) The likelihood is low of surrounding non-conforming buildings changing use, being redeveloped, or otherwise being brought into greater compliance with these design standards within the foreseeable future.
(B) New construction. The following standards apply to all building plans approved after June 30, 2024.
(1) Building orientation.
(a) Buildings must be oriented so that the primary entrances of the units face either a public street, whether internal or external to the development, or a central courtyard area with at least one side of the courtyard containing no units.
(b) When buildings face a public street, whether internal or external to the development, no buffer is required between the units and the road. When the sides or rear of buildings face a public street, a buffer shall be required according to the buffer requirements of the Zoning Ordinance.
(c) Buildings must be oriented so that the fronts of units do not face the sides or rears of other buildings.
(2) Allowed materials. The following materials are allowed on any façade:
(a) Brick or brick veneer (veneer must be made of brick);
(b) Stone or stone veneer (veneer must be made of stone);
(c) Stucco;
(d) Wood;
(e) Vinyl siding, provided that panels are at least 0.42 millimeters thick, are at least 12 feet long except in areas that are shorter than that (such as end of a row); and
(f) Cementitious siding (i.e. Hardiplank).
(3) Prohibited materials. The following materials are prohibited on all façades:
(a) Metal siding (unless architectural grade in limited application such as design accent or feature only);
(b) Exposed smooth-finished concrete block; and
(c) Plywood.
(4) Windows. Any window installed must be designed so the width does not exceed the height.
(5) Front façade.
(a) No more than two different types of materials shall be used on a façade, excluding the foundation material.
(b) For duplexes, the same exterior material must be used on each unit.
(c) Façade uniformity. Units are not required to be symmetrical, but it is allowed.
(6) Architectural variability.
(a) Rooflines. Each building must have roofline differentiation of at least 16 inches either vertically or horizontally between each unit, or gables or dormers on each unit.
(b) Each building with three or more units must have at least three of the following on the front façade of the building (upstairs or downstairs) on one or more of the units:
1. A porch;
2. A bay window;
3. A gable;
4. A dormer; and
5. A shed roof.
(7) Side façades. The side façades of single-family attached homes must be the standards of § 157.094
(B)(9).
(8) Garages and carports.
(a) The exterior materials, design features and roof form of garages and carports must be compatible with the building it serves.
(b) Garage doors facing a public street or public open space must be recessed within the façade and include detailing elements to create visual interest and add to the overall character of the building. This does not apply to garage doors facing an alley, service area, or otherwise nonpublic area.
(9) Building foundations. One of the following is required on all homes except for dwellings designed or intended for occupation by persons with physical disabilities:
(a) An 18-inch crawlspace that is clad with brick, brick veneer, stone, stone veneer, stucco, or other masonry materials on the front and side façades; or
(b) A slab foundation, provided that the foundation supporting the floor framing is an average of at least 18 inches above grade on the front and side façades and is clad with brick, brick veneer, stone, stone veneer, stucco, or other masonry materials on the front and side façades.
(c) A slab-on-grade foundation, provided that an average of 18 inches from the ground levels is clad with brick, brick veneer, stone, stone veneer, stucco, or other masonry materials on the front and side façades. This shall not apply to dwellings with brick, stone or stucco siding.
(d) Alternatively, a basement foundation may be used on the sides and/or rear façades.
(e) Foundations shall not be clad in finished or unfinished concrete block.
(10) Eaves. Eaves must extend beyond the plane of façade by at least six inches. Similar treatments such as coping on top of a brick façade or a stucco parapet wall are also allowed.
(11) Entries. All entries must be sheltered with an overhang, portico, or porch.
(12) Outdoor area. In addition to the common open space required for the entire project, each unit must have an outdoor living area for the residents to use for recreation. Specific standards include:
(a) Types. The outdoor area may take forms such as, but not limited to, a yard, balcony, covered or screened porch, rooftop area, patio or deck.
(b) Location. The private outdoor area must be fully contained on the individual parcel, outside of all required utility easements.
(c) Size. The private outdoor living area must be at least 200 square feet in area per unit. This area may be physically broken up into two separate areas, but neither area may be smaller than 48 square feet.
(d) Separation. Private outdoor living areas must have physical separation from adjacent units through building walls, fences, hedges, or similar. The physical separation is not required to provide a full screen; for example, a three-foot hedge or decorative fence is allowed.
(e) Surfacing. Private outdoor areas must have a surface appropriate for the use.
(f) Parking areas. Parking areas that are provided to meet the parking standards of this section and driveways that access a garage do not count as approved outdoor areas.
(Ord. 2024-014, passed 6-25-24)