King City City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 17
50 ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL
§ 17.50.010 Architectural approval-Fee.
In case an application is made for a permit for any building or structure in any R-3, R-4, H-S, C-N, M, or P-D district, said application shall be accompanied by architectural drawings or sketches, showing the elevations of the property building or structure and site plans showing proposed landscape or other treatment of the grounds around such building or structure, together with an architectural review fee as set by resolution of the city council. Such drawings, sketches and site plans shall be considered by the planning commission in an endeavor to provide that the architectural and general appearance of such buildings or structures and grounds be in keeping with the character of the neighborhood and such as not to be detrimental to the orderly and harmonious development of the city, or to impair the desirability of investment or occupation in the neighborhood. Applicants for projects for multi-family and apartment complexes in R-3 and R-4 zones will complete and submit with the application an architectural feature checklist on a form to be provided by the Community Development Department. Applicants for projects within the VC, VB and FSC district shall comply with requirements set forth in Sections 17.50.070 through 17.50.077.
(Ord. 354 § 5.2.1, 1973; Ord. 437 § 2, 1981; Ord. 573 § 3, 1994; Ord. 832, 9/10/2024)
§ 17.50.015 (Reserved)
(Ord. 570 § 3, 1993; repealed by Ord. 832, 9/10/2024)
§ 17.50.017 Landscape permit.
A separate landscape permit shall be required with an application for a permit provided for in Section 17.50.010. The permit shall require that a specific landscaping plan be provided that shall show the proposed landscaping plan for the project. Additionally, the plan shall show proposed planting areas, bushes, trees and irrigation systems to serve these areas. It shall be a requirement of the landscaping permit that the landscaping be maintained, and the property shall be inspected by the city on an annual basis to assure that this requirement is complied with. Violation of this subsection shall be subject to the provisions of Section 17.02.080.
(Ord. 573 § 5, 1994; Ord. 832, 9/10/2024)
§ 17.50.020 Architectural committee-Authority.
The planning commission may appoint an architectural committee of three of its members which shall exercise the architectural considerations provided for in Section 17.50.010.
(Ord. 354 § 5.2.2, 1973; Ord. 832, 9/10/2024)
§ 17.50.030 Commission decision appeal.
In case the applicant is not satisfied with the action of the planning commission or committee, he may, within fifteen days, appeal in writing as provided in this title.
(Ord. 354 § 5.2.3, 1973)
§ 17.50.040 Work required prior to building permit issuance.
No permit shall be issued in any case where architectural consideration is required until such drawings and sketches have been approved by the planning commission, committee or council and all buildings, structures and grounds shall be constructed and improved in accordance with such approved drawings and sketches.
(Ord. 354 § 5.2.4, 1973; Ord. 832, 9/10/2024)
§ 17.50.050 Two year expiration-Cancellation of building permit.
If construction in accordance with the drawings and sketches approved under this chapter has not commenced within two years after the date of the approval, then the approval shall immediately expire and any building permit issued in reliance thereon shall be deemed canceled and revoked.
(Ord. 581 § 1, 1995; Ord. 832, 9/10/2024)
§ 17.50.060 One year extension.
An approval under this chapter may be extended for up to one year if application for an extension is: (1) made before the expiration of the approval previously provided for in Section 17.50.050; (2) approved by the planning commission or committee; and (3) approved by the council.
(Ord. 581 § 2, 1995; Ord. 832, 9/10/2024)
§ 17.50.070 Historic downtown design and colors.
The purpose for this section is to implement the community's vision for the historic downtown area related to design and colors. Figure 1 shows the area included in the historic downtown area, and as outlined in the Historic Corridor Revitalization Plan (HCRP).
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(Ord. 832, 9/10/2024)
§ 17.50.071 Architectural design and colors.
This section provides guidance on the architectural form of new development and redevelopment projects to reinforce the city's historic character within the area outlined in Figure 1 in Section 17.51.070.
(a)
Preferred Building Styles. Building styles and characters are shown in Figure 2.
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(b)
Preferred Materials. Buildings should be clad in wood clapboard, wood drop siding, brick or stone. Roofs should be made of narrow standing seam metal, corrugated metal panel, slate, composition shingle or clay tile. Roof flashing, rain gutters and downspouts, vents, and other roof protrusions shall be finished to complement the adjacent materials and/or colors. Preferred materials are shown in Figure 3. Outdoor lighting that is flashing, running, scintillating or similar lighting is prohibited in the historic downtown area.
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(c)
Preferred Windows, Doors and Other Details. Appropriate window styles for the historic downtown area include transom windows for ground floor store fronts, bay and dormers windows for upper floors as well as round-top windows and square windows with window caps. Figure 4 provides some examples of preferred windows and doors. Figure 5 provides examples of other architectural details. Use of mirrored glass and dark tinting with no visibility from public right-of-way in ground floor facades shall be prohibited. Adhesive window tinting not done professionally shall be considered a nuisance and subject to Chapter 7.51 code enforcement procedures.
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(d)
Colors. The right combination of paint colors can accentuate the important architectural features and unify the façade. Due to protective qualities, building components that were historically painted should remain painted. Surfaces that were not historically painted, such as stone and brick, should remain natural and unpainted to retain their historic texture and appearance. Appropriate paint schemes differ depending on the architectural style and era of a building. Choose colors that are appropriate to the architectural style and compliment the building and its surroundings. The use of muted, natural colors and finishes is encouraged. Bright colors such as red, yellow, purple and orange or dark colors such as black shall typically be limited to ten percent of the building and as an accent color.
(e)
Signage. Signs in the historic downtown area should enhance historic buildings and the ambience of the area. Signs should complement the human scale and encourage a pedestrian friendly environment. Signs should not overpower a building's façade but attract customers to the business through a design that harmonizes with the building and its surroundings. Signage requirements are contained in Chapter 17.55 (Signs).
(Ord. 832, 9/10/2024)
§ 17.50.072 Application review process.
(a)
Exterior Alterations. As used in this chapter, changes to a building within the historic downtown area fall under three basic categories.
(1)
Exempt Projects from Architectural Review.
(A)
Non-structural modifications such as routine maintenance and restoration of buildings, which include in-kind replacement of deteriorated or damaged building fabric and materials.
(2)
Administrative Architectural Review.
(A)
An administrative architectural review application shall be submitted to the community development director for review and approval of new building colors if non-standard colors are proposed, including red, pink, yellow, orange, purple, or black. The application shall contain color scheme samples.
(i)
If the community development director determines that the public interest would be better served by the planning commission decision, then the administrative architectural review shall be processed as an architectural review needing planning commission approval and be subject to applicable fees.
(3)
Projects Needing Architectural Review by the Planning Commission.
(A)
Exterior structural modifications or alterations that change the historic integrity of the building or historic integrity of the building colors resulting in a change to the architectural style of the building.
(Ord. 832, 9/10/2024)
§ 17.50.073 Findings of fact.
Required Findings of Fact. To approve an application, all the following findings shall be made in the affirmative.
(a)
The proposal is consistent with the general plan and zoning ordinance.
(b)
The proposal is consistent with this chapter.
(c)
The proposal is compatible with the historic nature of the subject building and surrounding area.
(Ord. 832, 9/10/2024)
§ 17.50.074 Penalties and nuisance.
Properties that have undergone exterior changes without following the standards set forth in this chapter shall be considered a nuisance and violation of Article 3 Management of Real Property of the King City Municipal Code - Nuisances Chapter 7.51.
(Ord. 832, 9/10/2024)
§ 17.50.075 Prohibited outdoor storage in the historic downtown area.
A.
Metal Storage Containers. Metal storage containers are prohibited from being kept and permanently stored on any property within the historic downtown area which exceed and/or violates the temporary use restrictions as set forth in Municipal Code Section 7.60.050(f). Metal storage containers mean any steel cargo container, shipping container freight container, truck trailer, portable storage container, cargo boxes, ISO containers, or sea vans that are reusable, enclosed or open vessel, used to store any articles, goods, belongings, commodities or similar uses.
B.
Outdoor Storage of Rubbish. It is prohibited to keep any rubbish stored outside of any property within the historic downtown area. Rubbish means all matters and materials not defined as garbage, but which are rejected by the owners or producers thereof as useless, unusable or not viable, and includes boxes, carton, packing materials, metal vessels or shelving, tin cans, bottles, crockery, paper, rags, straw, sawdust, metals and boards.
(Ord. 832, 9/10/2024)
§ 17.50.076 Prohibited fencing.
Enclosing of a parking lot with chain link fence, barbed wire, razor wire, wire mesh, electrified fences or similar fence shall be prohibited on any property within the historic downtown area.
(Ord. 832, 9/10/2024)
§ 17.50.077 Appeals.
An applicant denied approval of an administrative architectural review application may appeal to the planning commission in writing within fifteen calendar days of receipt of the director's decision. Appeals from any action of the planning commission must be made in writing along with submittal of the appeal fee by an aggrieved party within fifteen calendar days from the date of receipt of notice of action of the commission, as per Municipal Code Section 2.12.050. The city council is the appeal board with respect to any actions(s), as specified in Section 2.12.040 of the King City Municipal Code, taken by the planning commission.
(Ord. 832, 9/10/2024)
