Pleasant Hill City Zoning Code

It is the intent of these standards to establish basic parameters for building design that have the effect of producing structures that preserve and enhance building and property values, are long-lasting, resistant to deterioration, and maintain their visual appeal over time. It is further the intent of these standards to establish and promote a community image of permanence, quality, authenticity, and consistency through building design. It is not the intent of these standards to unduly restrict design freedom or apply a particular architectural style to all structures.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

These regulations shall apply to new development, the redevelopment of existing sites, and all site modifications including building additions and expansions.  All new buildings, including accessory structures, and additions to existing buildings shall be subject to the standards of this section. However, building expansions of less than twenty percent (20%) of the gross floor area of the existing building may use the same or superior exterior building façade materials as the existing structure. 

Building façade modifications shall comply with the standards of this section. However, building façade maintenance, e.g., repainting and window replacement, are not required to comply with the standards of this section.

Exemption:  All residential structures including 12 dwelling units or less, including the related accessory structure shall not be subject to these regulations.  (Ord. No. 948, 09/24/2024)

Effective on: 10/2/2024

The determination of compliance with the provisions and requirements of this section shall be at the sole discretion of the Zoning Administrator and is appealable to the Board of Adjustment per the procedures as provided in city code.

As part of the submittal of a site plan for development within any of the zoning districts and for any of the uses listed within this Chapter (with the exception of residential structures including less than 12 dwelling units), architectural plans for buildings shall be submitted for review and approval.  (Ord. No. 948, 09/24/2024)

1. 1.
   Submission Requirements. The applicant shall submit the following for each proposed building, addition, or renovation subject to this chapter:

   1. A.
      Elevations and dimensions of all sides of existing and proposed buildings, including roof mechanical equipment, vents, chimneys, or other projecting items above the roof line.
   2. B.
      Elevations and dimensions of all existing or proposed solid waste and recycling containment areas.
   3. C.
      Detailed exterior descriptions, including type and color of all exterior building materials, awnings, exterior lighting, mechanical screening material, fencing, metal flashing and the like.
   4. D.
      Detailed cut sheets of all proposed exterior light fixtures and an exterior lighting photometric plan, if required by the Zoning Administrator.
   5. E.
      In order to aid in evaluating the exterior design, the applicant shall submit plan views showing, if applicable, the locations of windows and doors, major entrances, recessions and projections from the principal planes of facades, loading docks, outdoor storage areas, and solid waste and recycling containment areas.
   6. F.
      Heating, air conditioning and ventilating and electrical equipment heights, locations and screening materials.
   7. G.
      Exterior building and finish material samples and color pallets, if required by the Zoning Administrator.
   8. H.
      Other information as may be required by the Zoning Administrator.

Effective on: 10/2/2024

1. 1.
   For the purpose of this zoning district, materials shall be divided into class 1, class 2, class 3 and class 4 categories as follows.  All materials must be utilized in the application as intended by the manufacturer and follow property installation requirements and standards, including management of water migration and installation of appropriate substrate material.

   1. A.
      Class 1 Materials (Very High-Quality)

      • Fired clay brick, full-veneer masonry wall system
      • Natural stone, full-veneer masonry wall system
      • Glass, curtain wall and/or glass cladding system (clear glass with minimum light transmittance of 60%)
      • Other comparable or superior materials
   2. B.

      Class 2 Materials (High-Quality)

      • Thin veneer brick (adhered)
      • Manufactured or cast stone (adhered)
      • Architectural tilt-up concrete panels
      • Metal wall panel systems, insulated or rain screen assemblies (this definition does not include metal siding and corrugated or ribbed metal sheets of any type)
      • Masonry stucco, traditionally applied
      • Other comparable or superior materials
   3. C.
      Class 3 Materials (Standard Quality)

      • Integrally-colored, specialty concrete block such as textured, burnished block or split-face block, or concrete brick
      • Fiber-cement board or panels, irrespective of form (such as JamesHardie brand HardiePlank lap siding, HardieShingle siding, and HardieBoard vertical siding)
      • Decorative opaque panels designed as exterior building finish
      • Other comparable or superior materials
   4. D.
      Class 4 Materials (Lower-Cost, Standard Quality)

      • Metal and vinyl siding or  sheets
      • Water-managed Exterior Insulation and Finish System (EIFS)
      • Smooth or scored concrete block
      • Translucent wall panel systems (such as Kalwall brand panels)
      • Ceramic
      • Glass block
      • Wood
      • Other comparable or superior materials
2. 2.
   Buildings shall incorporate classes 1, 2, 3, and 4 exterior finish materials in the following manner.

   1. A.
      Multiple-Family Dwellings in All Zoning Districts.

      1. 1.
         Multiple-family dwellings (apartment buildings) including more than 12 units in all zoning districts shall be proportioned and designed to have an appropriately scaled and visible top, middle and base and must incorporate:

         1. a.
            No less than three (3) different Class 1 or Class 2 façade materials as primary façade materials, together composing at least 30% of each street facing façade area.
         2. b.
            Class 3 and Class 4 façade materials in aggregate shall not exceed 70% of any street facing façade area.
         3. c.
            Class 4 façade materials shall not exceed 10% of any street facing façade area.

            1. (i)
               Except where architecturally unsuitable, appropriately-scaled trim shall be included around window and door openings, building corners, roof lines, and façade material transitions.
         4. d.
            Shutters, if used, must be in proportion to the area of adjoining windows.
         5. e.
            All soffits and overhangs shall also be appropriately scaled.
         6. f.
            Asphalt shingles, if used, must be laminate style.
         7. g.
            Each dwelling unit shall have its own functional balcony, (or defined patio area for first floor units) or shall have access to an exclusive  indoor or outdoor amenity. An exception to this requirement shall be made for age-restricted dwelling units or units designed and built as part of an assisted living residential facility. 
         8. h.
            Elevated open walkways along the exterior of the building are prohibited.
         9. i.
            The main common building entry shall be defined by being covered by a projection from the façade, by being  recessed, or by changes in exterior building colors or textures.
   2. B.
      Non-Residential Buildings in all Residential Zoning Districts.

      1. 1.
         All non-residential buildings located in any Residential Zoning District (not including agricultural related buildings and structures) shall be proportioned and designed to have an appropriately scaled and visible top, middle, and base and must incorporate:

         1. a.
            No less than three (3) different Class 1 or Class 2 façade materials as primary façade materials, together composing at least 50% of each street facing façade area.
         2. b.
            Class 3 and Class 4 façade materials in aggregate shall not exceed 50% of any street facing façade area.
         3. c.
            Class 4 façade materials shall not exceed 10% of any street facing façade area.
   3. C.
      Commercial, Retail, Office, and Other Non-Residential Buildings in all Non-Residential Zoning Districts, Excluding the CP, I-1, and I-2 Industrial Zoning Districts.

      1. 1.
         All non-residential buildings located in any Non-Residential Zoning District (excluding the CP, I-1, and I-2 Industrial Zoning Districts) shall be proportioned and designed so as to have an appropriately scaled and visible top, middle, and base and must incorporate:

         1. a.
            No less than three (3) different Class 1 or Class 2 façade materials as primary façade materials, together composing at least 75% of each street facing façade area.
         2. b.
            Class 3 and Class 4 façade materials in aggregate shall not exceed 25% of any street facing façade area.
         3. c.
            Class 4 façade materials shall not exceed 10% of any street facing façade area.
      2. 2.
         At least one street-facing building façade and the façade containing the main building entry, if different from the street façade, shall consist of no less than 30% glass fenestrations (windows and full glass doors) on the first level.
      3. 3.
         When appropriate for the building design, the use of standing seam metal roofing, architectural grade metal roofing shingles, and other architectural metal roofing panel systems are encouraged.
      4. 4.
         Asphalt shingles, if used, must be laminate style.
      5. 5.
         Corrugated or ribbed metal sheets and similar lower quality roofing materials are not permitted.
   4. D.
      Mixed-Use Buildings in all Zoning Districts.

      1. 1.
         All mixed-use buildings constructed in any Zoning District shall be proportioned and designed to have an appropriately scaled and visible top, middle, and base and must use:

         1. a.
            At least three (3) Class 1 or Class 2 façade materials as primary façade materials together composing at least 75% of each street facing façade area.
         2. b.
            Class 3 façade materials shall not exceed 25% of any street facing façade area, and
         3. c.
            Class 4 façade materials shall not exceed 10% of any street facing façade area.
      2. 2.
         At least one street-facing building façade and the façade containing the main building entry, if different from the street façade, shall consist of no less than 30% glass fenestrations (windows and full glass doors) on the first level.
      3. 3.
         Except where architecturally unsuitable, appropriately-scaled trim shall be included around window and door openings, building corners, roof lines, and façade material transitions.
      4. 4.
         Shutters, if used, must be in proportion to the area of adjoining windows.
      5. 5.
         All soffits and overhangs shall be appropriately scaled.
      6. 6.
         When appropriate for the building design, the use of standing seam metal roofing, architectural grade metal roofing shingles, and other architectural metal roofing panel systems are encouraged.
      7. 7.
         Asphalt shingles, if used, must be laminate style.
      8. 8.
         Corrugated or ribbed metal sheets and similar lower quality roofing materials are not permitted.
   5. E.
      All Buildings in the CP, I-1, and I-2 Industrial Zoning Districts.

      1. 1.
         The street-facing façade(s) of any building constructed in any CP, I-1, and I-2 Industrial Zoning District must use:

         1. a.
            At least two (2) Class 1 or Class 2 façade materials as primary façade materials together composing at least 20% of the street-facing façade area.
         2. b.
            Class 3 façade materials shall not exceed 80% of the street-facing façade area, and
         3. c.
            Class 4 façade materials shall not exceed 10% of the street-facing façade area. 
         4. d.
            The non-street facing facades must incorporate only class 1, class 2, class 3, or class 4 façade materials on 100% of each non-street facing façade area.
3. 3.
   General Provisions.

   1. A.
      Primary Façade Materials. For the purposes of this section, "primary" façade materials are those exterior finish materials that cover at least 5% of a building's façade area.  Any material that covers less than 5% of a building façade area shall not be considered a "primary" façade material.
   2. B.
      Façade Area. For the purposes of this section, "façade area" shall be the total exterior wall area of all vertical or near-vertical faces of a building wall four (4) feet in width or greater when viewed in elevation. Façade area shall be calculated to exclude the wall area resulting from minor projections and recessions from the predominant wall plane less than four (4) feet in depth. Façade area shall be calculated to include the area of parapets, cornices, and similar wall extensions and trim.
   3. C.
      A distinctly different color of fired clay brick (full brick or brick veneer) may be considered as an additional Class 1 or Class 2 material for the purposes of meeting the requirement that three (3) different class 1 and class 2 materials must be used on each façade as primary materials.
   4. D.
      Brick and stone exterior finishes shall not be painted.
   5. E.
      No EIFS shall be permitted within three (3) feet of the ground level.
   6. F.
      Thin veneer fired clay brick, when utilized, shall comply with the following:

      1. 1.
         Thin brick shall only be used in applications where the actual brick thickness will not be distinguishable or is otherwise addressed by adjustments in the wall plane to provide the appearance of full depth brick.
      2. 2.
         Only fired-clay thin brick units shall be used, and no concrete based thin brick units or brick panels will be used.
      3. 3.
         'L' shaped brick corner pieces and full-depth brick caps shall be utilized at all corners and edges to maintain the appearance of full-depth brick.
      4. 4.
         The thin brick units shall be individually applied, and brick tile or brick panel installation systems will not be used.
   7. G.
      Attached and Free-Standing Vehicle Drive-Thru Canopies.
   8. H.
      Structures with fabric exteriors shall only be allowed as temporary structures.  Permanent structures with fabric roofs may be allowed within the I-2 Zoning District.

(Ord. No. 948, 09/24/2024)

Effective on: 10/2/2024