Design review is required in order to ensure that new or modified uses and development will harmonize with the existing or potential development of the surrounding neighborhood and produce an environment of stable, desirable character. These provisions are also intended to implement the goals and policies contained in the Westlake Village General Plan.

(Ord. No. 48, Amended, 03/14/84; Ord. No. 53, Amended, 06/13/84; Ord. No. 56, Amended, 04/10/85; Ord. No. 58, Amended, 08/14/85; Ord. No. 65, Amended, 11/08/86; Ord. No. 87, Amended, 01/11/89; Ord. No. 113, Amended, 06/12/91; Ord. No. 123, Amended, 04/08/92)

Any permit or zoning clearance which authorizes new construction or exterior modifications to an existing structure shall be subject to the design standards set forth in this Section.

(Ord. No. 48, Amended, 03/14/84; Ord. No. 53, Amended, 06/13/84; Ord. No. 56, Amended, 04/10/85; Ord. No. 58, Amended, 08/14/85; Ord. No. 65, Amended, 11/08/86; Ord. No. 87, Amended, 01/11/89; Ord. No. 113, Amended, 06/12/91; Ord. No. 123, Amended, 04/08/92)

A.

Exterior Materials and Colors. Exterior materials and colors shall harmonize with, and compliment the surrounding natural and man-made environment. Exterior treatments characterized by an overly bright, shining, reflective or artificial appearance shall not be permitted. Semi-transparent stains on exposed wooden surfaces shall be encouraged. Imitation materials such as false brick and stone shall not be permitted. Color variety within a structure and diversity between structures are expected; however, strong harmonies will be required and color intensity must be kept low for large surfaces. Pastel or bright colors will not be permitted. Colors consistent with the prominent "earthen" colors of the hills surrounding the Westlake Village community during the bulk of the year and colors traditional to architectural themes previously approved in Westlake Village are required. As used herein, "earthen colors" shall include subdued shades of brown, beige, tan, and off-white. Deviations from the above-described color pallet for primary exterior building facades shall require specific approval by the City Council.

B.

Exterior Decorative Illumination. Exterior decorative illumination shall be consistent with, and compliment, the architectural style and character of the building around which it is used. Such lighting shall consist of permanent fixtures or may, in certain instances, consist of "strings" of lights. Such lighting may be permitted by the Planning Director by the issuance of a zoning clearance. In issuing such clearance, the Planning Director shall consider location, design, level of illumination, the direction of illumination, and any impact that the proposed lighting might have on adjacent properties or rights-of-way. Such lights shall be decorative in nature, and shall not be used to identify, highlight or draw attention to a business or event.

1.

Permanent fixtures shall match the architecture of the building or center in which they are located. Within multitenant complexes and shopping centers, such fixtures shall be consistent throughout the complex or center.

2.

Strings or strips of lights, shall be properly installed with no exposed hanging wires, and shall consist of only white lights, with bulbs no larger than three-eights of one inch in diameter, which do not blink or "chase."

3.

Approved exterior lighting shall be properly maintained and nonfunctional bulbs shall be promptly replaced.

(Ord. No. 48, Amended, 03/14/84; Ord. No. 53, Amended, 06/13/84; Ord. No. 56, Amended, 04/10/85; Ord. No. 58, Amended, 08/14/85; Ord. No. 65, Amended, 11/08/86; Ord. No. 87, Amended, 01/11/89; Ord. No. 113, Amended, 06/12/91; Ord. No. 123, Amended, 04/08/92; Ord. No. 160-99, Amended, 5/24/99)

Conditions of approval may be applied when the proposed design does not comply completely with the above criteria and shall be directed towards bringing said design into conformity. When the proposed design does not meet the above standards, and cannot be conditioned to comply with said standards, the plan shall be denied and referred to the applicant for redesign and resubmittal.

(Ord. No. 48, Amended, 03/14/84; Ord. No. 53, Amended, 06/13/84; Ord. No. 56, Amended, 04/10/85; Ord. No. 58, Amended, 08/14/85; Ord. No. 65, Amended, 11/08/86; Ord. No. 87, Amended, 01/11/89; Ord. No. 113, Amended, 06/12/91; Ord. No. 123, Amended, 04/08/92)

A.

In addition to complying with all standards contained in Section 9.15.030 above, each newly constructed, fabricated or installed dwelling or exterior modification of an existing residential structure shall comply with the following design criteria:

1.

Neighborhood Compatibility. New dwelling units and accessory structures shall be compatible with the established character of the surrounding neighborhood in terms of scale and architectural design. While many elements, including height, lot coverage and setbacks, contribute to the scale of a residential structure, project design should minimize an "over-built" appearance from adjacent properties and public rights-of-way. The total square footage of a residential structure and its lot/building pad coverage should reflect the uncrowded character of the City and neighborhood within which it is located.

2.

Privacy. New residential structures shall respect the privacy of surrounding properties by maintaining sufficient separation from adjacent residences, and by the appropriate design, placement and orientation of windows, balconies and decks.

3.

Views. New residential structures shall be designed and oriented so as to preserve views from neighboring properties to the greatest extent feasible.

4.

Natural Amenities. Improvements to residential property shall respect and preserve to the greatest extent feasible, existing topography, trees and other significant vegetation and natural features.

5.

Grading. On hillside lots, grading shall be minimized through the use of split level residential designs which step up or down with the natural topography. Earth work, i.e., cut and fill, shall be balanced on-site to the greatest extent feasible to limit the need for soil import or export. A grading plan shall be submitted with the development application and shall be at the same scale as the required site plan.

6.

Manufactured Slopes. The vertical height of any finished cut slope necessary for the construction of a residential structure on any existing "infill" lot shall be limited to the height of the proposed structure, or to a maximum of twenty (20) feet, which ever is less. The lateral extent (width) of a finished cut slope shall not exceed the width of the proposed structure by more than twenty (20) feet. No finished cut slope shall have a grade of greater than 1.5 to 1.0.

7.

Landscaping. All cut and fill slopes shall be planted with sufficient vegetation to enable total coverage of exposed slope faces within three (3) years after final grading. The City may require installation of a permanent irrigation system. Selected plant materials should blend as much as possible with remaining natural vegetation, consistent with regulations established for public safety by the City and the County Fire Department. In so far as trees and shrubs may be employed to comply with the intent of this section, such plantings are encouraged.

8.

Retaining Walls. Retaining walls visible from adjacent properties or public rights-of-way shall be limited to a maximum height of six (6) feet. The location and height of all retaining walls shall be clearly indicated on the required grading and site plan.

9.

Unbroken Exterior Walls. New residential structures shall not exhibit any unbroken exterior wall area below the first floor level exceeding an average vertical height of six (6) feet. Permitted unbroken wall areas shall be screened with suitable landscaping to the satisfaction of the City.

10.

Roofs. Roofs shall be constructed of wood shake (where permitted by the Municipal Code), non-glossy or non-reflective tile or similar roofing material (excepting visible asphalt composition or visible crushed rock). On hillside lots, roofs shall primarily be angled with the slope of the natural terrain. Roof mounted air conditioning units, wind turbines and similar equipment visible from surrounding residential properties are prohibited.

11.

Exterior Siding. Exterior siding shall be of brick, wood, stucco, plaster, concrete block or similar material which is finished in a non-glossy and non-reflective manner.

12.

Ridgelines. On existing, graded ridgeline lots, new residential units and accessory structures shall be set back from top-of-slope in a manner consistent with adjacent developed properties.

13.

Soils and Geology Report. Unless specifically waived by the City, a soils and geology report shall be submitted with any development application.

14.

Construction Impacts. Conditions shall be imposed on new residential construction as necessary to mitigate impacts associated with noise, dust, drainage, security and other potential adverse affects on adjacent properties.

15.

Alternative Design. It shall be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the City that potential impacts of a proposed project involving neighborhood compatibility, alteration of natural terrain, and/or removal of significant natural vegetation, cannot be further mitigated by reduction in size, redesign or reorientation of the proposed residential structure.

16.

Hazardous Conditions. New residential construction which would create, or be exposed to, conditions potentially hazardous to public health and safety shall be prohibited.

17.

Accessory Structures in Hillside Areas. New accessory structures, including, but not limited to buildings, decks, walls, retaining walls, or combination of such which exceed six (6) feet in height in hillside areas, when the potential exists for being viewed from below, shall be screened with berming and/or landscaping. This screening shall be sufficient to obstruct the visibility of the underside of the deck or the face of the building or retaining wall, to the satisfaction of the Planning Director. Walls may also be required to be treated with fenestration, paint, texture, in-wall landscaping, or a combination of these methods, as approved by the Director.

B.

If the proposed development complies with all applicable requirements and standards of this Article 9, Chapter 1, and other laws and regulations, and the City Council finds that the criteria of Subsection A of this Section are adequately met, or can be met if specified conditions are observed, the application shall be approved subject to such specified conditions. If the City Council finds that the proposal cannot meet and cannot be modified to meet the requirements of this Article and the above criteria, the application shall be disapproved. In all cases, findings shall be made concerning the grounds for approval or disapproval.

(Ord. No. 48, Amended, 03/14/84; Ord. No. 53, Amended, 06/13/84; Ord. No. 56, Amended, 04/10/85; Ord. No. 58, Amended, 08/14/85; Ord. No. 65, Amended, 11/08/86; Ord. No. 87, Amended, 01/11/89; Ord. No. 113, Amended, 06/12/91; Ord. No. 123, Amended, 04/08/92; Ord. No. 185-03, Amended, 07/23/03)

(Ord. No. 221-12, § 2, 12-12-2012)

These provisions are intended to assure that solar energy systems are protected from shading and conform in appearance to the surrounding neighborhood.

A.

Protection of Solar Access. No building, wall, fence, or other structure shall be constructed or modified in a residential zone, and no vegetation may be placed or allowed to grow so as to obstruct more than ten percent of the absorption area of a solar energy system on a neighboring lot at any time.

B.

Solar Energy Systems Design Standards. The following design standards shall apply to solar energy systems:

1.

Roof-mounted solar collectors shall be placed in the most obscure location without reducing the operating efficiency of the collectors. Wall-mounted and ground-mounted solar collectors shall be screened from public view.

2.

Collectors shall be mounted at the same angle or as close as possible to the pitch of the roof. Deviations may be permitted subject to the approval of the Planning Commission.

3.

Appurtenant equipment, particularly plumbing and related fixtures, shall be installed in the attic, where feasible, or shall be screened from view.

4.

Large accessory fixtures which must be exposed (e.g. storage tanks) shall be screened through architectural features that harmonize with other design elements of the structure.

5.

Exterior surfaces shall have a matte finish and shall be color-coordinated to harmonize with roof materials or other dominant colors of the structure.

(Ord. No. 48, Amended, 03/14/84; Ord. No. 53, Amended, 06/13/84; Ord. No. 56, Amended, 04/10/85; Ord. No. 58, Amended, 08/14/85; Ord. No. 65, Amended, 11/08/86; Ord. No. 87, Amended, 01/11/89; Ord. No. 113, Amended, 06/12/91; Ord. No. 123, Amended, 04/08/92)

A.

The following antennae are permitted as an accessory use in all zone districts and may be installed without a zone clearance or building permit:

1.

An antenna that satisfies all of the following criteria:

a.

Is used to receive direct broadcast satellite service, including direct-to-home satellite service, or to receive or transmit fixed wireless signals via satellite.

b.

Is one meter or less in diameter.

c.

Does not exceed twelve (12) feet in height as measured from the surface on which it is mounted and does not exceed twelve (12) feet above the height limit of the applicable zone district.

2.

An antenna that satisfies all of the following criteria:

a.

Is used to receive video programming services via multipoint distribution services, including multichannel multipoint distribution services, instruction television fixed services, and local multipoint distribution services, or to receive or transmit fixed wireless signals other than via satellite.

b.

Is one meter or less in diameter or diagonal measurement.

c.

Does not exceed twelve (12) feet in height as measured from the surface on which it is mounted and does not exceed twelve (12) feet above the height limit of the applicable zone district.

3.

An antenna that satisfies both of the following criteria:

a.

Is used to receive television broadcast signals.

b.

Does not exceed twelve (12) feet in height as measured from the surface on which it is mounted and does not exceed twelve (12) feet above the applicable height limit of the zone district.

B.

For purposes of this Section, the term "fixed wireless signals" means any commercial non-broadcast communications signals transmitted via wireless technology to and/or from a fixed customer location. This term does not include, among other things, AM radio, FM radio, amateur ("HAM") radio, Citizen's Band (CB) radio, or Digital Audio Radio Service (DARS) signals.

(Ord. No. 48, Amended, 03/14/84; Ord. No. 53, Amended, 06/13/84; Ord. No. 56, Amended, 04/10/85; Ord. No. 58, Amended, 08/14/85; Ord. No. 65, Amended, 11/08/86; Ord. No. 87, Amended, 01/11/89; Ord. No. 113, Amended, 06/12/91; Ord. No. 123, Amended, 04/08/92; Ord. No. 139-95, Amended, 01/10/96; Ord. No. 185-03, Amended, 07/23/03)

A.

A satellite earth station antenna that satisfies the criteria set forth below is permitted as an accessory use, subject to approval of a building permit, in any zone district where commercial or industrial uses are generally permitted:

1.

The diameter of the antenna is more than one meter and less than or equal to two (2) meters.

2.

The antenna does not exceed twelve (12) feet in height as measured from the surface on which it is mounted and does not exceed twelve (12) feet above the applicable height limit of the zone district.

B.

The City Council finds that the building permit requirement imposed by this Section is in the public interest and is justified by the following facts and circumstances:

1.

Satellite earths station antennae having a diameter in excess of one meter and less than or equal to two (2) meters may reasonably be expected to be of a size, weight and bulk that generates legitimate safety concerns not presented by the smaller antennas automatically permitted by this Chapter.

2.

Substantial numbers of employees and customers may reasonably be expected in commercial and industrial buildings, which increases the amount of harm that could result from improper installation in such areas of a satellite earth station antenna having a diameter in excess of one meter and less than or equal to two (2) meters.

C.

The City Council further finds that the building permit requirement imposed by this Section is no more burdensome than is necessary to enable the City to achieve the following safety-related objectives and thereby reduce the potential for bodily injury, death, and property damage:

1.

Verification of proper antenna mounting in order to reduce potential safety hazards resulting from faulty installations, including detachments attributable to windstorms, earthquakes or other natural causes.

2.

Verification of compliance with applicable electrical code regulations.

3.

Verification that the antenna does not encroach into public right-of-way.

(Ord. No. 48, Amended, 03/14/84; Ord. No. 53, Amended, 06/13/84; Ord. No. 56, Amended, 04/10/85; Ord. No. 58, Amended, 08/14/85; Ord. No. 65, Amended, 11/08/86; Ord. No. 87, Amended, 01/11/89; Ord. No. 113, Amended, 06/12/91; Ord. No. 123, Amended, 04/08/92; Ord. No. 139-95, Amended, 01/10/96; Ord. No. 185-03, Amended, 07/23/03)

A.

The following safety standards apply to satellite earth station antennae in all zone districts.

1.

No antenna shall be installed in a manner that impedes normal vehicular or pedestrian circulation.

2.

Any mast used to elevate an antenna shall be constructed of noncombustible and corrosive-resistant materials.

3.

Antennae must be installed with adequate ground wire to protect against a direct lightning strike.

4.

Antennae shall be separated from adjacent power lines in accordance with electrical code requirements and other applicable laws.

5.

Any mast used to elevate an antenna shall be secured by a separate safety wire in a direction away from adjacent power lines and other potential hazards.

6.

To the extent feasible, all cables, wires and similar electrical transmission devices associated with the antenna shall be placed underground.

7.

No antenna nor any supporting parts shall encroach into the public right-of-way.

8.

Antenna shall be maintained in good repair, in condition and in compliance with the building code, electrical code, fire code and other applicable laws.

B.

The following additional safety standards apply to satellite earth station antennae in all zone districts where residential uses are authorized.

1.

The diameter of an antenna that is subject to conditional use permit approval shall not exceed ten (10) feet.

2.

A ground-mounted antenna that is subject to conditional use permit approval shall be located in the rear yard and in compliance with any applicable set-back requirement.

3.

A building-mounted antenna that is subject to conditional use permit approval shall be located so as not to be visible from the street.

4.

A building permit shall be obtained for any antenna that is subject to conditional use permit approval.

C.

The following additional safety standards apply to satellite earth station antennae in all zone districts where non-residential uses are authorized.

1.

A ground-mounted antenna that is subject to conditional use permit approval shall be located in compliance with any applicable set-back requirement.

2.

No ground-mounted antenna that is subject to conditional use permit approval shall be located in the area between the front property line and the main building or structure."

(Ord. No. 139-95, Amended, 01/10/96; Ord. No. 185-03, Amended, 07/23/03)

The following provisions are located to regulate the design and placement of amateur radio antennae in a manner consistent with established Federal Communication Commission policy and Public Law 103-408.

A.

Where permitted, only one antenna may be placed on an individual lot or parcel. Said antenna shall be permitted only as an accessory to the principal building or use of the subject lot or parcel.

B.

Where technically feasible, amateur radio antennae shall be of a telescoping or retractable design, and shall be extended only during hours of operation.

C.

Permitted antennae shall be placed at a location not readily visible from neighboring properties and off-site vantage points, and shall not be located within the front yard of any residential or nonresidential structure.

D.

Unless specifically authorized by the City Council pursuant to the conditional use permit authorizing construction of the antenna, the use of guy wires and other visible support structures is specifically prohibited.

E.

Permitted antennae shall be of a nonreflective material, painted or treated to blend with predominant background colors.

(Ord. No. 140-96, Amended, 05/22/96)

Wireless telecommunications antenna facilities shall comply with the following design standards in addition to any conditions imposed in connection with a conditional use permit:

A.

The antenna array shall be integrated with the architectural design and coloring of the building or support structure to which it is attached.

B.

If the facility will be visible from an adjacent residential area or from a major arterial street, any fencing around the facility shall be of wrought iron or similar decorative materials approved by the Director.

C.

If a support structure will be visible from an adjacent residential area or from a major arterial street, the support structure shall be screened or camouflaged to the reasonable satisfaction of the Director.

D.

The facility shall not be illuminated unless required by law.

E.

The facility shall not contain commercial advertising.

(Ord. No. 185-03, Enacted, 07/23/03)