City of Laguna Beach
Single-Family and Two-Family Design Standards
Form “groupings” with a stylistic framework and characteristic elements, rather than design standards for pure architectural styles, facilitate more “by-right” development of residences while maintaining the eclectic design quality of the local community.
The Existing Conditions Report documented single-family housing in Laguna Beach’s thirteen neighborhoods and found that Laguna Beach character is the non-rigorous use of architecture style. Also observed in the Existing Conditions Report: Laguna Beach existing regulatory documents, examples of exemplary and controversial projects as provided by City staff, and precedent research of single-family design standards in comparable cities.
The General Design Standards (Chapter 2) apply to all single-family and two-family buildings regardless of architectural style. They intend to enhance the pedestrian experience of projects by prioritizing the orientation of buildings towards public streets, providing pathways that connect public ROWs to project entries, avoiding box-like forms, and promoting 360-degree design.
Applicants must select only one Form Group and comply with the standards defining roofs, walls, exterior openings, building details, and building color within the selected Form Group chapter. The four Form Groups strive to capture a wide variety of architectural styles present in Laguna Beach.