Palm Bay City Zoning Code
PART 4
ARCHITECTURAL STANDARDS
§ 173.040 APPLICABILITY.
The standards of this section shall apply to new construction (principal and accessory structures) on sites within the RC, NC, CC, HC, OP, CMU and UMU zoning districts and those fronting an arterial or collector road in the GC zoning district. In the case of building additions or renovations, the standards shall apply if the addition or renovation exceeds fifty percent (50%) of the square footage of the existing structure. Compliance with the requirements set forth in this section shall be demonstrated by submittal of building front elevations and color and material samples at the time of site plan review. The following buildings are exempt from the requirements of this section:
(A) New buildings meant to complement a pre-existing structure by use of identical material finishes, scale, and form.
(B) New buildings that are part of an overall campus plan that has an established architectural theme.
(C) Public utility equipment, hospitals, churches, and buildings having national or local historic designation.
(D) Accessory structures not visible from the right-of-way.
(E) Mechanical equipment such as gasoline pumps, air and vacuum machines, drive-through menu boards and speaker stations, drive-through teller stations, ATMs, and similar appliances which require direct access by the public.
(Ord. 2024-33, passed 9-19-24)
§ 173.041 ARCHITECTURAL STYLES.
Structures must adhere to one of the following architectural styles. The features listed are only required along elevations facing public rights-of-way. The intent of City Council is that commercial structures adhere to the requirements of this section. However, applicants may pursue an administrative exception. The request for exception shall be in the form of a letter indicating the reasons for the request and the applicant's opinion of their adherence to the requirements. In rendering the final decision, the City Manager or designee shall consider the overall level to which the architectural design complies with the requirements. If the applicant is not satisfied with the Final Administrative Decision, they may appeal that decision pursuant to Chapter 172.
(A) Florida Vernacular Architectural Style.
(1) Masonry or frame construction.
(2) Stuck stucco or lap siding finish.
(3) Brick wainscot.
(4) Architectural shingles or galvalume metal roof acceptable.
(5) Exposed lookouts at truss ends, dentil molding, operable shutters that match the window width, period style lighting.
(6) Limited color palette to pastel colors or white.
(7) A front porch or overhang that has a minimum of sixty (60) inches width and encompasses a minimum of fifty percent (50%) of the main building façade.
(8) No blank wall area to exceed four hundred (400) square feet of area.
(9) No singular façade shall exceed one hundred (100) lineal feet of run without a minimum sixteen (16) inch break, by utilizing a directional or material change.
(B) Mediterranean/Spanish Colonial.
(1) Masonry or frame construction.
(2) Heavy stucco or concrete finish.
(3) Barrel vaulted elements over windows and doors.
(4) Flat or low hip roof lines with interlocking terra cotta roof tile.
(5) Terra cotta detailing, quoins, metalwork around windows and doors, relief around cornices, parapets, balconies, and balustrades.
(6) Limited color palette of white, parchment and coral colors.
(C) Spanish Revival.
(1) Masonry or frame construction.
(2) Heavy stucco or masonry finish.
(3) Barrel arches over windows and doors.
(4) Flat, gable and/or hip roof lines with interlocking barrel style roof tile.
(5) Iron work around windows.
(6) Trim work around doors, parapets, windows, and entryways.
(7) Color palette of white or the patina of the masonry.
(D) Commercial American.
(1) Traversable arcade of fabric awning or structural roof.
(2) Recessed entryway and string course over storefront.
(3) Flat or low slope roof.
(4) Parapet with minor course banding and/or cornice.
(5) Concrete or brick construction.
(6) Large fixed-plate glass storefront windows.
(7) Minor trim or fretwork.
(8) Color palette typically reflects the base material (brick) or lighter colors.
(E) Bungalow.
(1) Brick or concrete wainscot or base.
(2) Gable roof line with exposed rafters and secondary rooflines.
(3) Decorative shake or shingle roof or metal roof.
(4) Horizontal siding.
(5) Tapered columns.
(6) Exposed structural elements for detailing such as beams, ridge vents, rafters, and purlins.
(7) Useable front porch.
(8) Color palette may vary.
(Ord. 2024-33, passed 9-19-24)
§ 173.042 PUBLIC SPACE.
Structures that exceed five thousand (5,000) square feet of ground floor shall provide outdoor public space, which may include benches, sitting areas, bicycle racks, bus stops, display fountains or landscaping. Structures that exceed fifty thousand (50,000) square feet of the area on the main floor shall provide an area on the site equivalent to three percent (3%) of the main floor area for an outdoor public space. The outdoor public space may count toward the common open space requirement.
(Ord. 2024-33, passed 9-19-24)
§ 173.043 ROOFTOP EQUIPMENT.
All HVAC, wireless communication devices, fire suppression, solar panels, wind generation devices and similar equipment placed on any roof or above the roof line of any commercial structure shall be effectively screened as to not be seen by the public.
(Ord. 2024-33, passed 9-19-24)
§ 173.044 SIGNS.
The Sign Code shall be adhered to with the following exceptions:
(A) The color, construction, and material of each sign shall be compatible with the architecture on the site.
(B) Every sign frame or support shall be designed as a sympathetic architectural element of the building(s) to which it is principally related.
(C) Freestanding signs shall have landscaping at the base that is a minimum width of the sign above.
(D) Freestanding signs over twenty-five (25) feet in height shall be exempt from the design review requirements of this subsection but will require landscaping at the base of each sign that is a minimum width of the sign above.
(Ord. 2024-33, passed 9-19-24)
§ 173.045 EXTERIOR COVERING.
(A) All new residential masonry construction not using architecturally designed block shall require an exterior covering of stone, brick, siding, stucco, or other approved material as determined by the Florida Building Code. The coverage shall be such that individual blocks may not be discerned. For the purpose of this section, architectural block is any split-face, ribbed or fluted masonry block.
(B) Additions to existing homes without siding, are exempt from the requirements of this subchapter.
(C) Exterior coverings must be installed continuously around foundations on the outside perimeter of buildings with floors elevated above the ground and where more than twelve (12) inches of vertical open area exists from the ground to the building walls.
(D) Pre-engineered metal buildings or metal buildings that utilize a fastened metal horizontal girder by which an exterior wall is attached to are not permitted, unless the exterior is designed to simulate non-metal construction. No part of the exterior finish shall utilize metal cladding.
(E) The predominant exterior color shall be applied to all sides of the structure.
(Ord. 2024-33, passed 9-19-24)