1. Intent. The intent of this Chapter is to provide minimum architectural and site design standards for multi-unit residential projects. The standards contained in this Chapter supplement the development regulations established in Title 20 (Zoning).
2. Application. 1. Any residential structure containing two or more residential dwelling units, each of which is for the occupancy by one or more persons living as a single housekeeping unit, including duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, apartments, and townhouses. 2. All mixed-use structures that include multi-unit dwellings.
3. Objective Design Standards. As defined by Government Code Section 65913.4, objective design standards are standards that involve no personal or subjective judgement by a public official and are uniformly verifiable by reference to an external and uniform benchmark. The Objective Design and Development Standards serve as the minimum requirements for all multi-unit residential projects identified in Subsection B (Application). For any applicant of a qualifying project seeking exceptions or deviations to the standards contained herein, or any of the County’s development regulations established in Title 20 (Zoning), the project shall be subject to a use permit as defined in Chapter 20.56 (Use Permits) and may be subject to a discretionary design review process.

(Ord. 2023-007 § 52 (part), 2023)

A. Natural Features. Existing natural features such as rivers, streams, and ponds shall be incorporated into the overall site design.

B. Alternative Energy Applications. All structures shall be designed to allow for the installation of alternative energy technologies including but not limited to active solar, wind, or other emerging technologies, and shall comply with the following standards. 1. Installation of solar technology on structures such as rooftop photovoltaic cell arrays shall be installed in accordance with the State Fire Marshal safety regulations and guidelines. 2. Roof-mounted equipment shall be located in such a manner so as to not preclude the installation of solar panels.

C. Pedestrian/Bicycle Circulation. 1. All structures, facilities, parking areas, amenities, and common areas shall be internally connected by pedestrian pathways with a minimum width of three feet. 2. Pedestrian pathways shall be separated from parking areas by landscaping, curbs, or other edge treatments. 3. Pedestrian pathways shall be directly connected to adjacent public sidewalks on each street frontage.

D. Service Areas and Auxiliary Structures. Service areas and auxiliary structures (i.e., trash receptacles, propane, gas and oil tanks, utility boxes) shall be fully screened from public street view with the following development standards: 1. Opaque walls or fencing made with materials and color palette submitted as part of the project application. 2. Vehicle and pedestrian access gates 3. The following materials are prohibited for any on-site service areas and auxiliary structures: a. Electrified; b. Barb wire/razor wire; c. Sharp objects such as spires and glass and d. Vinyl.

E. Setback. 1. Front yard setbacks along a street right-of-way shall reflect the average setback of existing adjacent residential structures within two hundred (200) feet, which may be greater than those set in each zone district. 2. Structures greater than one story or 20 feet in height, whichever is greater, adjacent to single-story residential dwellings shall be set back from property lines by at least one times the height of the multi-unit structure.

(Ord. 2023-007 § 52 (part), 2023)

1. Perimeter Fencing. A fence, hedge or masonry wall shall be provided along the rear and non-street facing side property lines for all multi-unit developments. A fence, hedge, or masonry wall is optional for front and street-facing property lines, but if included, shall comply with the following standards. 1. Height a. Fences, hedges, or masonry walls along front and street facing side property lines shall not exceed three feet in height. b. Fences, hedges or masonry walls along rear and non-street facing side property lines shall not exceed six feet in height. 2. Materials a. Fences and walls located along the side or rear property lines that are not along street frontages shall be made of opaque materials. (1) Non-opaque fences and walls are permitted along property lines adjacent to a permanent open space area, and where the yard does not require screening by another standard in this Chapter. b. The following materials are prohibited for all fences and walls: (1) Electrified; (2) Barb wire/razor wire (3) Sharp objects such as spires and glass; and (4) Wrought iron.
2. Rooftop equipment. Rooftop mechanical equipment shall be screened from view with either a building parpapet or opaque materials.

(Ord. 2023-007 § 52 (part), 2023)

1. Open Space. The following development standards apply to multi-unit developments with four or more dwelling units. 1. Public Open Space. Projects shall provide open space areas and/or community site amenities. Functional open space areas and community site amenities shall exclude areas required for zoning setbacks. a. Public Open Space. Public open space areas shall include at least one of the following amenities equivalent to a minimum of 200 square feet per dwelling unit: (1) Courtyard/Garden with seating and/or tables for up to eight people. (2) Pergola, shade, trellis, or arbor structure not taller than 10 feet (3) BBQ area with a minimum of two fixed barbeques and tables (4) Sport Court (i.e., bocce ball, table tennis, badminton, tennis, pickleball basketball, volleyball) (5) Splash pad no smaller than 50 square feet (6) In-ground swimming pool or above-ground and/or in-ground hot tub (7) Open lawn area(s) with no dimension less than 10 feet (8) Community room (i.e., library room with bookshelves and seating for at least five people, media room with television and seating for at least 10 people, game room with at least two game tables or consoles, gym/fitness room with at least five pieces of gym equipment, co-working space with wi-fi, tables and seating for at least eight people b. Connections. Public open space areas shall be directly connected to all interior space areas (i.e., community room, recreation room, exercise center), trash and recycling enclosures, laundry facilities (if applicable), structure entrances, parking areas, and mail delivery areas by pedestrian-oriented pathways. 2. Private Open Space. Each dwelling unit shall have outdoor space designed for the exclusive use of that dwelling unit in accordance with the following standards: a. Ground Floor Units. Each ground floor dwelling unit shall include a minimum of 40 square feet of private open space in the form of a covered or uncovered patio to allow for light, air, and privacy. If ground floor private open space is fenced, the fencing shall: (1) Be at minimum 36 inches tall; and (2) Use solid materials to allow for privacy. b. Above Ground Floor Units. Each above ground floor dwelling unit shall include a minimum of 40 square feet of private open space in the form of a terrace, balcony, or rooftop patio to allow for light, air, and privacy.
2. Exterior Lighting. 1. Area lighting shall be shielded downward to reduce light pollution in adjacent properties. 2. Pedestrian pathway lighting features shall not exceed eight feet in height and shall have minimum illumination levels of 0.5 foot-candles at the pathway surface. 3. Lighting features in parking, storage, and recreational areas shall not exceed 20 feet.
3. Parking. 1. The number of parking spaces required per project shall comply with the underlying base zone parking requirements (Zoning Code 20.46.20) and parking areas within a site shall be internally connected and use shared driveways. Off-street parking spaces shall be on the same or adjacent lot or parcel of land as the structure they are intended to serve. Spaces serving multifamily shall not use public roadways as access aisles. Refer to Del Norte County Zoning Code Chapter 20.46 for parking design criteria.
4. Storage of Vehicles. 1. The onsite storage of vehicles that are not operational or are not legal to operate on a public road, including those that have expired registration, shall be prohibited unless they are stored within a fully enclosed space such as a garage and the fully enclosed space is not identified as part of the parking plan demonstrating compliance with the minimum number of parking spaces.

(Ord. 2023-007 § 52 (part), 2023)