The purpose of the Design Review Guidelines is to guide development within the City of Encinitas toward design that is consistent with the character of each community. Architecture, landscaping and site planning are important to preserving the individual identity of each community.

These guidelines describe the preferred architectural character and development patterns within Encinitas today.  Eclecticism and diversity are, and will continue to be, dominant themes. The guidelines, therefore, do not seek to impose an overriding style, a limited color palette, nor an artificial theme.  They do seek to assist in promoting the positive design characteristics that exist throughout the City of Encinitas. 

The design guidelines complement mandatory development standards by providing additional requirements and good examples of appropriate design solutions.  The guidelines are more qualitative and less quantitative than mandatory development standards, and may be applied with some flexibility in the application to specific projects.

The provisions of the Guidelines are applicable to all development within the City of Encinitas that is subject to design review, as stipulated in Chapter 23.08 of the Encinitas Municipal Code.

Cover Page

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 - Introduction and Background

Chapter 2 - Site Planning Guidelines

Chapter 3 - Grading and Landform Guidelines

Chapter 4 - Circulation, Parking and Streetscape Guidelines

Chapter 5 - Architecture and Sign Guidelines

Chapter 6 - Lighting Guidelines

Chapter 7 - Landscape Guidelines

Any further questions can be addressed by contacting the Planning and Building Department, at 760-633-2710, or by email at planning@ci.encinitas.ca.us.