Chapter 17.180 — ARCHITECTURAL GUIDELINES
El Cajon Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-06 · El Cajon
§ 17.180.010. Intent and purpose. ¶
The intent and purpose of this chapter is to improve the appearance of buildings in the community, using quality and compatibility with surroundings as primary considerations. The simple, basic principles listed in this chapter shall provide guidance to applicants, staff members, and decision makers in making decisions related to building design and architecture.
(Ord. 4950 § 3, 2010)
§ 17.180.020. Height, bulk, and mass. ¶
The height, bulk, and mass of structures shall be compatible with surrounding development and appropriate for the use and site.
(Ord. 4950 § 3, 2010)
§ 17.180.030. Design creativity. ¶
Innovative and imaginative designs are encouraged, bizarre or monotonous architecture is prohibited.
(Ord. 4950 § 3, 2010)
§ 17.180.040. Visual interest. ¶
Visual interest shall be provided by means of variation in building details, form, materials, and color. (Ord. 4950 § 3, 2010)
§ 17.180.050. Continuation of design. ¶
The architectural design of a structure shall be expressed on all exterior surfaces. (Ord. 4950 § 3, 2010)
§ 17.180.060. Rooftop equipment screening. ¶
Rooftop equipment shall be screened from view, and such screening shall be architecturally compatible with the rest of the structure. (Ord. 4950 § 3, 2010)
§ 17.180.070. Variation of wall planes. ¶
Large, flat, unbroken wall surfaces shall be varied by the use of projections, bays, window and structural rhythms, shadow lines, contrast, and surface richness. (Ord. 4950 § 3, 2010)
§ 17.180.080. Entry features. ¶
Building entrances shall be marked by eave-line changes, recesses, projections, roof overhangs, or special detailing. (Ord. 4950 § 3, 2010)
§ 17.180.090. Proportionality. ¶
Windows, columns, doorways, parapets, eaves, and other building elements shall have good proportions and good relationships to one another and to wall areas. (Ord. 4950 § 3, 2010)
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Ask AI about this code▸ Contents — El Cajon Zoning Code
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▸ Title 17 — Zoning
Overview- Chapter 17.05 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Chapter 17.10 — ADMINISTRATION, INTERPRETATION, AND ENFORCEMENT
- Chapter 17.15 — ESTABLISHMENT OF ZONES, BOUNDARIES AND PREZONING
- Chapter 17.20 — AMENDMENTS
- Chapter 17.25 — PROCEDURES, HEARINGS, NOTICES AND FEES
- Chapter 17.30 — APPEALS
- Chapter 17.35 — EXPIRATIONS, TIME EXTENSIONS, AND PERMIT REVOC…
- Chapter 17.40 — ADMINISTRATIVE ZONING PERMIT
- Chapter 17.45 — ADULT ENTERTAINMENT ESTABLISHMENT REGULATIONS
- Chapter 17.50 — CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
- Chapter 17.55 — HISTORIC PRESERVATION
- Chapter 17.57 — MINOR AMENDMENT
- Chapter 17.58 — MINOR USE PERMIT
- Chapter 17.60 — PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (PUD) PERMIT
- Chapter 17.63 — SUBSTANTIAL CONFORMANCE REVIEW
- Chapter 17.65 — SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN PERMIT
- Chapter 17.70 — SPECIFIC PLAN
- Chapter 17.75 — TEMPORARY USE PERMIT
- Chapter 17.80 — VARIANCE
- Chapter 17.105 — DEFINITIONS
- Chapter 17.115 — GENERAL LAND USE REGULATIONS AND PERFORMANCE …
- Chapter 17.120 — NONCONFORMING USES AND STRUCTURES
- Chapter 17.125 — GENERAL LOT REQUIREMENTS
- Chapter 17.130 — GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
- Chapter 17.135 — M-U (MIXED-USE) OVERLAY ZONE
- Chapter 17.140 — RESIDENTIAL ZONES
- Chapter 17.145 — COMMERCIAL ZONES
- Chapter 17.150 — INDUSTRIAL ZONES
- Chapter 17.155 — O-S (OPEN SPACE) ZONE
- Chapter 17.160 — P (PARKING) ZONE
- Chapter 17.165 — PRD (PLANNED RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT) ZONE
- Chapter 17.170 — H (HILLSIDE OVERLAY) ZONE
- Chapter 17.175 — MH (MOBILE HOME OVERLAY) ZONE
- Chapter 17.180 — ARCHITECTURAL GUIDELINES
- Chapter 17.185 — PARKING STANDARDS
- Chapter 17.190 — SIGNS
- Chapter 17.195 — WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPING
- Chapter 17.205 — AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS
- Chapter 17.210 — ALCOHOL SALES AND DEEMED APPROVED ALCOHOL SAL…
- Chapter 17.212 — DEEMED APPROVED LODGING ESTABLISHMENT
- Chapter 17.215 — AUTOMOTIVE FUELING STATIONS
- Chapter 17.220 — DENSITY BONUS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPM…
- Chapter 17.225 — MISCELLANEOUS SPECIAL USES AND REGULATIONS
- Chapter 17.230 — MOTION PICTURE THEATERS
- Chapter 17.235 — PERSONAL STORAGE FACILITIES
- Chapter 17.240 — TOBACCO SHOPS, SMOKE SHOPS AND ELECTRONIC/VAP…
- Chapter 17.243 — PERSONAL CULTIVATION OF MARIJUANA
- Chapter 17.245 — WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES
- Chapter 17.250 — SECONDHAND MERCHANDISE STORES AND PAWN SHOPS
- Chapter 17.255 — REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
- Chapter 17.260 — AIRPORT OVERLAY ZONE
- Chapter 17.265 — DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS