Petaluma Municipal Code § 4.40 Private Frontage Standards

This section sets forth the standards applicable to the development of private frontages. Private frontages are the

components of a building that provide an important transition and interface between the public realm (street and

sidewalk) and the private realm (yard or building). These standards supplement the standards for each zone that

the frontage types are allowed within. For each private frontage type, a description, a statement of the type’s

intent, and design standards are provided. These standards are intended to ensure development that reinforces

the highly-valued existing character and scale of Petaluma’s neighborhoods and downtown.

The street facing facades of each proposed building shall be designed as one of the building frontage types

allowed by Section 4.10 (Urban Standards Table). Allowed frontage types shall be designed in compliance with the

following standards. The standards established in this section shall apply to all private frontages within the

transect zones, and shall be considered in combination with the standards found within this Code.

Table A (Private Frontages Overview) provides an overview of the allowed private frontage types.

Table 4.40.030.A. Private Frontages Overview

SECTION PLAN

T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6

Common Yard: The main facade of the

building has a large planted setback from the

frontage line providing a buWer from the

higher-speed thoroughfares. The front yard

created remains unfenced and is visually

continuous with adjacent yards, supporting a

Table 4.40.030.A. Private Frontages Overview common landscape and working in

conjunction with the other private frontages.

T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6

Porch, projecting: The main facade of the

building has a small to medium setback from

the frontage line. The resulting front yard is

typically very small and can be deTned by a

fence or hedge to spatially maintain the edge

of the street. The projecting porch is open on

three sides and all habitable space is located

behind the setback line.

T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6

Porch, engaged: The main facade of the

building has a small to medium setback from

the frontage line. The resulting front yard is

typically very small and can be deTned by a

fence or hedge to spatially maintain the edge

of the street. The engaged porch has two

adjacent sides of the porch that are engaged

to the building while the other two sides are

open.

T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6

Stoop: The main facade of the building is near

the frontage line and the elevated stoop

engages the sidewalk. The stoop shall be

elevated above the sidewalk to ensure privacy

within the building. Stairs from the stoop may

lead directly to the sidewalk or may be side-

loaded. This type is appropriate for residential

uses with small setbacks.

Table 4.40.030.A. Private Frontages Overview

SECTION PLAN

T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6

Forecourt: The main facade of the building is

at or near the frontage line and a small

percentage is set back, creating a small court

space. The space could be used as an entry

court or shared garden space for apartment

buildings, or as an additional shopping or

restaurant seating area within commercial

areas.

T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6

Dooryard: The frontage line is deTned by a

low wall or hedge and the main facade of the

building is set back a small distance creating a

small dooryard. The dooryard shall not

provide public circulation along a ROW. The

dooryard may be raised, sunken, or at grade

and is intended for ground Uoor residential in

Uex zones, live/ work, and small commercial

uses ≤2,500sf.

T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6

Shopfront: The main facade of the building is

at or near the frontage line with an at-grade

entrance along the public way. This type is

intended for retail use. It has substantial

glazing at the sidewalk level and may include

an awning that may overlap the sidewalk. It

may be used in conjunction with other

frontage types.

Syn: Retail Frontage, Awning.

Table 4.40.030.A. Private Frontages Overview

SECTION PLAN

T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6

Terrace: The main facade is at or near the

frontage line with an elevated terrace

providing public circulation along the facade.

This type can be used to provide at-grade

access while accommodating a grade change.

Frequent steps up to the terrace are necessary

to avoid dead walls and maximize access. This

type may also be used in historic industrial

areas to mimic historic loading docks.

T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6

Gallery: The main facade of the building is at

the frontage line and the gallery element

overlaps the sidewalk. This type is intended

for buildings with ground-Uoor commercial

uses and may be one or two stories. The

gallery should be used to provide the primary

circulation along a frontage and extend far

enough from the building to provide adequate

protection and circulation for pedestrians.

Arcade: A covered walkway with habitable

space above often encroaching into the ROW.

The arcade should be used to provide the

primary circulation along a frontage and

extend far enough from the building to

provide adequate protection and circulation

for pedestrians. This type is intended for

buildings with ground Uoor commercial uses

and is common along public courtyards and

paseos.

The private frontage is the area between the building facade and the lot line.

A. Description. Common Yard: The main facade of the building has a large planted setback from the frontage

line providing a buWer from the higher-speed thoroughfares. The front yard created remains unfenced and is

visually continuous with adjacent yards, supporting a common landscape and working in conjunction with the

other private frontages.

B. Size.

Depth 20' min. ?

C. Miscellaneous.

Fences between front yards or between the ?
sidewalk and front yard are not allowed.

Common Yard Frontages may only be used in ?
conjunction with another allowed private

frontage type, such as porch.

The front yards of these houses form a continuous common yard.

An example of a common yard

A. Description. Porch, projecting: The main facade of the building has a small to medium setback from the

frontage line. The resulting front yard is typically very small and can be deTned by a fence or hedge to spatially

maintain the edge of the street. The projecting porch is open on three sides and all habitable space is located

behind the setback line.

B. Size.

Width, clear 20' min. ?

Depth, clear 8' min. ?

Height, clear 8' min. ?

Height 2 Stories max.

Furniture area, clear 4' x 6' min. ?

Path of travel 3' wide min. ?

C. Miscellaneous.

Projecting porches are open on three sides and must have a roof.

A wrap-around projecting porch

Projecting porch integrated into the overall massing

A. Description. Porch, engaged: The main facade of the building has a small to medium setback from the

frontage line. The resulting front yard is typically very small and can be deTned by a fence or hedge to spatially

maintain the edge of the street. The engaged porch has two adjacent sides of the porch that are engaged to the

building while the other two sides are open.

B. Size.

Width, clear 10' min. ?

Depth, clear 8' min. ?

Height, clear 8' min. ?

Height 2 Stories max.

Furniture area, clear 4' x 6' min. ?

Path of travel 3' wide min. ?

C. Miscellaneous.

Up to 40% of the building facade may project ?
beyond the setback line into the

encroachment area for this frontage type.

Engaged porches must be open on two sides and

have a roof.

Engaged porch.

An example of an engaged porch

A. Description. Stoop: The main facade of the building is near the frontage line and the elevated stoop engages

the sidewalk. The stoop shall be elevated above the sidewalk to ensure privacy within the building. Stairs from the

stoop may lead directly to the sidewalk or may be side-loaded. This type is appropriate for residential uses with

small setbacks.

B. Size.

Width, clear 5' min.; 8' max. ?

Depth, clear 5' min.; 8' max. ?

Height, clear 8' min. ?

Height 1 Story max.

Depth of recessed 6' max.

entries

C. Miscellaneous.

Stairs may be perpendicular or parallel to the building facade.

Ramps shall be parallel to facade or along the side of the building.

The entry door shall be covered or recessed to provide shelter from the elements.

All doors must face the street.

This stoop with a landscaped setback provides a privacy separation between the public way and ground Uoor

units.

These stoops on townhouses with slightly recessed entries and a minimum setback allow the steps to engage the

street.

A. Description. Forecourt: The main facade of the building is at or near the frontage line and a small percentage

is set back, creating a small court space. The space could be used as an entry court or shared garden space for

apartment buildings, or as an additional shopping or restaurant seating area within commercial areas.

B. Size.

Width, clear 12' min. ?

Depth, clear 12' min. ?

Ratio, Height to Width 2:1 max. ?

C. Miscellaneous.

Forecourts should be used sparingly and should not be repeated along a block frontage.

The proportions and orientation of these spaces should be carefully considered for solar orientation and user

comfort.

This residential forecourt provides prominent entry yard and breaks down the overall massing along the street.

This commercial forecourt provides an outdoor dining area along a vibrant commercial street. The ROW is deTned

by a low wall as required by this code.

A. Description. Dooryard: The frontage line is deTned by a low wall or hedge and the main facade of the building

is set back a small distance creating a small dooryard. The dooryard shall not provide public circulation along a

ROW. The dooryard may be raised, sunken, or at grade and is intended for ground Uoor residential in Uex zones,

live/work, and small commercial uses ≤2,500sf.

B. Size.

Depth, clear 8' min. ?

Length 50’ max. ?

Distance between 4’ max. ?
glazing

Ground Uoor 50% min.1
transparency

Depth of recessed 5’ max.

entries

Path of travel 3' wide min. ?

Finish level above 3’-6" max. ?
sidewalk

Finish level below 6’ max. ?
sidewalk

1For Live/Work and Commercial Uses only

C. Miscellaneous.

For Live/Work and Commercial Uses, these standards are to be used in conjunction with those for the

Shopfront Frontage Type. In case of conUict between them, the Dooryard standards shall prevail.

Low walls (12”-36”) used as seating are encouraged.

Shall not be used for circulation for more than one ground Uoor entry

An example of a series of small commercial dooryards

An example of a series of residential dooryards. Each dooryard has its own steps with railings providing separation

between the dooryards of adjacent units.

A. Description. Shopfront: The main facade of the building is at or near the frontage line with an at-grade

entrance along the public way. This type is intended for retail use. It has substantial glazing at the sidewalk level

and may include an awning that may overlap the sidewalk. It may be used in conjunction with other frontage

types.

B. Size.

Distance between 2' max. ?
glazing

Ground Uoor 75% min.

transparency

Depth of recessed 5' max.

entries

C. Awning.

Depth 4' min. ?

Setback from curb 2' min. ?

Height, clear 8' min. ?

D. Miscellaneous.

Residential windows shall not be used.

Doors may be recessed as long as main facade is at BTL.

Operable awnings are encouraged.

Open-ended awnings encouraged.

Rounded and hooped awnings are discouraged.

Shopfronts with accordion-style doors/windows or other operable windows that allow the space to open to

the street are encouraged.

An example of a shopfront with a chamfered corner entry

An example of a shopfront with a recessed doorway

A. Description. Terrace: The main facade is at or near the frontage line with an elevated terrace providing public

circulation along the facade. This type can be used to provide at-grade access while accommodating a grade

change. Frequent steps up to the terrace are necessary to avoid dead walls and maximize access. This type may

also be used in historic industrial areas to mimic historic loading docks.

B. Size.

Depth, clear 8' min. ?

Finish level above 3'6" max. ?
sidewalk

Length of terrace 150' max.

Distance between 50' max. ?
stairs

C. Miscellaneous.

These standards are to be used in conjunction with those for the Shopfront Frontage Type. In case of conUict

between them, the Terrace standards shall prevail.

Low walls used as seating are encouraged.

An example of a terrace in a historic industrial district

An example of a terrace used to accommodate a change in grade. The low walls are used to provide seating.

A terrace accommodating a grade change along a series of shopfronts

A. Description. Gallery: The main facade of the building is at the frontage line and the gallery element overlaps

the sidewalk. This type is intended for buildings with ground-Uoor commercial uses and may be one or two stories.

The gallery should be used to provide the primary circulation along a frontage and extend far enough from the

building to provide adequate protection and circulation for pedestrians.

B. Size.

Depth, clear 8' min. ?

Ground Uoor height, 11' min. ?
clear

Upper Uoor height, 9' min. ?
clear

Height 2 Stories max. ?

Setback from curb 2' min. ?

C. Miscellaneous.

These standards are to be used in conjunction with those for the Shopfront Frontage Type. In case of conUict

between them, the Gallery standards shall prevail.

Upper-story galleries facing the street must not be used to meet primary circulation requirements.

Galleries must have a consistent depth along a frontage.

Gallery must project over a sidewalk.

A one-story gallery with second Uoor access

A two-story gallery

A. Description. Arcade: A covered walkway with habitable space above often encroaching into the ROW. The

arcade should be used to provide the primary circulation along a frontage and extend far enough from the

building to provide adequate protection and circulation for pedestrians. This type is intended for buildings with

ground Uoor commercial uses and is common along public courtyards and paseos.

B. Size.

Depth, clear 12' min. ?

Ground Uoor height, 14’ min. clear ?
clear

Setback from edge of 2’ min. ?
curb

C. Miscellaneous.

These standards are to be used in conjunction with those for the Shopfront Frontage Type. In case of conUict

between them, the Gallery standards shall prevail.

Arcades must have a consistent depth along a frontage.

Arcades with more than 2 Uoors of habitable space above the colonnade may not encroach onto a Public

ROW, and must be located so that it abuts a public ROW.

An example of an arcade located at the back of a sidewalk, abutting the public ROW

An example of an arcade encroaching the public ROW. The arcade provides the only means of circulation along

the ROW.

Area.

(Ord. 2864, 2023.)

(Ord. 2864, 2023.)